The Memorial University Faculty Association has officially made a request to have the date for an in-person return to classes pushed back to the end of February.

MUNFA is asking for either a return date of February 28, the first day back after winter break, or for instructors to be given the flexibility to continue with online learning if they so choose.

They say such delays would allow students, faculty and staff more time to get their boosters, allow staff members time to get medical advice for their specific situations, allow students from outside the province time to return to campus and abide by isolation requirements, and for clear guidelines to be developed with input from the university community.

However, university administration appear to be holding the line when it comes to next week’s scheduled return.

Responding to concerns raised by the MUN Students’ Union, Chief Risk Officer Greg McDougall says the points brought up by the union are valid and must be addressed, but they still feel campus is a very safe place to be.

He says over the next few days announcements will be made pertaining to the university’s add/drop timeframe, as well as ways people will be accommodated when they cannot make it to campus. He assures that a lot of plans are in place.