Re-open College of North Atlantic to all students

College of the North Atlantic remains online learning for more than half its programs and will remain online for the rest of 2021-2022. While the rest of province of Newfoundland and Labrador's students have returned to class, why does CONA remain online?

Newfoundland and Labrador is moving forward through this pandemic to a new "normal" with 90% of the population vaccinated and the use of a vaccine passport. Yet,  CONA students are not learning in person "in an effort to reduce foot traffic on campuses, and to support public heath directives".  All other learning institutions have returned to in-person learning. Who is this decision to stay online really serving? Does this decision consider the learner's needs? Or is there a financial component? Is there an end insight? Or does CONA plan to remain online for the foreseeable future?

CONA is the public post-secondary institution paid for by our tax dollars. Section 15 of the College Act, 1996 states the board of directors will "identify the educational needs of persons in the province and provide courses or programs to meet those needs". Teaching programs exclusively online does not meet the needs of the students of our province.  Academic success, mental health, and social-emotional needs of students are at risk. These needs cannot be met unless students return to campus and interact with instructors and peers in person. 

Please place your name on the petition to plead to the Minister of Education, the Premier, and Board of Directors of College of the North Atlantic, and the administration of CONA to reverse this decision. Please help these student return to campus!