In the new year of January 2022, the students of York University are being told that the majority of courses will be returning back to campus. This means that most courses which began online, will be required to resume in person. Students do not have a say as to whether they’d like to continue online or not.

Ontario's daily positive and even mortality rates are too many to be counted, and the campus has chosen to cancel the use of Yu screen and the mandatory wearing of masks because of the concept of the government.

This loss of choice is a rapidly growing issue, requiring students to go back in person is a problem for many as so there is a large uncertainty with current students schedules. The students of York University didn’t know if or when they would go back. Most students have commitments and schedules made and this sudden switch affects schedules that are now forced to rapidly change. Safety has also been a very large concern for most, this new policy grants no care or respect to those who are immune compromised and uncomfortable with going back in person. Reducing exposure has been the main concern during this entire pandemic, so lets keep it that way.

Many students have proposed to add remote options, but they have been rejected by the advisor. Some even asked students to drop from the faculties. It is really angry and helpless for students who need to take risks to go to campus. 

Along with the evolution of variants, COVID-19 will produce more lethal transmission and danger. Many infected people have sequelae such as loss of taste and smell, and even some infected people cause sexual dysfunction due to the experience of infection.

Not everyone will have the ability to return in person, and York University is doing their students a great disservice by stripping away the choice to continue online. This petition will serve as a voice and a way to help students worldwide.