UNIVERSITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
ENGG1015
Intro to Engineering Design & Problem Solving
Name Alex Jones, Ayush Jagtap, Kate MacLean, Tamara McDougall
Section # FR06A, Skye Ables
Assignment Title UNB’s Return to Campus Plan Report
Date Due November 25th, 2020
Date Submitted November 23rd, 2020
I warrant that this is my own individual work, except for portions that are clearly cited as the work
of others.
Signature Alex Jones, Ayush Jagtap, Kate MacLean, Tamara McDougall
(re-typing your name can suffice as your signature)
Table of Contents
Table of Contents. ........................................................................................................................... ii
1.0 Challenges
1.1 COVID-19. ......................................................................................................................
1
……
1.2 New Brunswick Public Health Guidelines… .................................................................. 2
1.3 Pros and Cons of Online Learning… ..............................................................................3
1.4
Effect on UNB Operations… ...............................................................................4
2.0 Solution
2.1 Recommended Dilemma Solution… .............................................................................. 5
3.0 Stake Holders Consideration
3.1 Factors Pushing for a “Sooner than Later” Reopening…................................................9
References… ................................................................................................................................. 10
1.1 COVID-19
COVID-19, better known as Coronavirus, is a respiratory disease discovered in Wuhan, China in
December of 2019. There are six different human Coronavirus’s which belong to the order
Nidovirales, the family Coronaviridae, and the subfamily Coronavirinae. COVID-19 specifically,
belongs to the genera Beta coronavirus. The biological makeup of the Coronavirus contains a
single-stranded RNA with a nucleoprotein in a capsid composed of matrix protein (Figure 1.1.1).
The disease is spread through liquid droplets from coughing, sneezing or talking, which enter the
respiratory system by way of throat, nose and eyes. The World Health Organization (WHO)
recommends facial coverings, such as masks and face shields, be worn in public when social
distancing is not possible (WHO, 2020). The more common symptoms of COVID-19 include
fever, dry cough, difficulty breathing, and tiredness. In more serious cases, chest pain, loss of
speech or movement, and a loss of taste or smell, can also occur. As of November 25th, 2020,
there has been an approximate total of 55.6 million cases and 1.34 million deaths worldwide.
Figure 1.1.1 describes the anatomical makeup of a COVID-19 molecule.
1.2 New Brunswick Public Health Guidelines
New Brunswick has implemented many rules and guidelines in an attempt to keep Covid-19 under
control. Limitations on crowd sizes limit UNB’s ability to return to in-person classes. Physical
distancing of 6 feet is mandatory along with limiting the amount of people in a room at once.
Masks are to be worn at all times, with some exceptions, and proper sanitation is to be practiced
whenever possible. As of May 2020, Fredericton has been in the “Yellow Zone” of the Covid-19
recovery phase. This means that while there are still restrictions, many other things are allowed
under certain conditions. “Orange phase” is when a zone goes back into lockdown and heavier
restrictions are applied. This phase would not allow for UNB to reopen or have any on-campus
events or classes. Even if Fredericton is in the “Yellow Zone”, that does not guarantee the safety
of students on campus as there is the possibility of students and faculty travelling into Fredericton
from a region that is in the “Orange Zone”. The amount of cases and the volume of new cases
determines which colour a New Brunswick region is in, and a region can quickly be put back into
lockdown if deemed necessary. This creates complications with UNB being able to commit to inperson classes.
1.3 Pros and Cons of Online Learning
While online learning seems to have been the only learning option available to many University
students at UNB this academic year, due to the safety of students and faculty, it did come with its
benefits, but also coincidentally several drawbacks. An advantage of online learning includes a
somewhat flexible delivery, which allows for international students to be able to submit
assignments and tests on time even in different time zones. A major downside to this, however, is
less one-on-one communication with teachers leading students to struggle with course content and
delivery. Another benefit of online learning is for most students it created an opportunity for them
to live at home and save money, although the majority of students feel that tuition rates should
have been decreased for online semesters as the quality of teaching and education are both
significantly lower.
Quite possibly though, the largest disadvantage to online learning, with which Engineering
students are struggling, is the course load. While Engineering is a very heavy major, when current
first-year students compare their course work and weekly assignments with previous Engineering
students, the difference in workload is outstanding. This is because professors believe that online
learning from home means that students have more time to work on schooling, but that is not true.
Now, more than ever, students of every degree are struggling with their mental health, due to their
online course load, lack of empathy from professors, and the current pandemic we are living
through. The bottom line is that online learning is manageable for self-driven and self-teaching
students, but some changes need to be made for future online semesters to come.
1.4 Effect on UNB Operations
UNB has experienced many challenges due to Covid-19. Campus was closed to students because
of how easily Covid-19 can be spread, and it was not safe to have in-person classes. This has
resulted in a decreased number of students enrolled in the 2020-21 academic year, some faculty
leaving, a decrease in revenue, and the loss of the ability to hold events on campus.
Students do not find the current form of education delivery satisfying. It is much more difficult to
interact with professors, get help, and actually learn the subject matter. Compared to the normal
in-person lectures and labs, the current delivery method is causing much more stress and is causing
students to lose interest. Along with students, some faculty were unable to adjust to the current
method of teaching, leaving other professors having to step in and quickly try to figure out how to
deliver course material. Because of the decrease in enrollment, UNB’s revenue also decreased.
Less students in residence, decrease in the usage of campus services, and other things impacted
UNB financially. Even though residence was partially opened, and some campus services became
available, a significant shortfall in revenue is projected for this year.
2.1 Recommended Dilemma Solution
The ongoing pandemic has forced all universities to operate online, thereby reducing human
interaction as much as possible. This has been going on for 1 year and e-learning has not proved
to be a satisfactory to in-person instruction as many complaints are arising from students for
various reasons. We must keep in mind that people’s health and safety are the reasons for why the
systems are functioning the way they are. However, to alleviate these unfortunate circumstances,
universities are slowly coming up with ways to accommodate students back into their residences
and revive their efficient in-person teaching methods. To achieve this, the university should try to
shelter the interests of all the key stakeholders, while keeping the risk factor of the virus spreading
in mind. There are two plausible approaches while dealing with this, the university can either
partially reopen their campus to in-person learning or wait until every member of UNB gets
vaccinated. Both approaches have pros and cons, hence why this challenge is viewed as a dilemma.
The first approach requires students arriving in New Brunswick to stay in quarantine for a period
of 14 days, before being allowed to reside in their residences. In person classes will also be offered
for smaller class sizes, while following all social distancing rules and public health guidelines.
These in person classes will not be mandatory. All classes on campus will be held live via
Microsoft Teams, for people who feel unsafe attending or who are unable to travel to Fredericton.
Any larger classes will remain online to prevent large amounts of students from being in a confined
classroom. This plan would be flexible to comply with changes to provincial health guidelines.
Planning and preparedness would be essential to ensure a smooth transition from in-class to online
and vice versa, as COVID-19 cases increase or decrease in Fredericton. If there is an outbreak at
UNB all classes will immediately return to online to prevent the virus from spreading further.
Another factor to consider is that, if classes are held on campus there will need to be extensive
cleaning staff, who come in before and after each class to ensure that everything is clean. This plan
has some cons that need to be considered, like safety concerns and cost.
Although this plan would be following public health guidelines, it does not minimize the risk of
contracting the virus entirely. Being in class puts students and professors at risk no matter what
plan is in place. The students living abroad would not want to spend huge amounts of money just
to find themselves learning online, while staying on the UNB campus. To test this system, the
university can only ask the students living
in Fredericton to attend in-person classes, while
students living abroad can continue via Teams. That being said, some are willing to take this risk,
because they believe being in class will give them a better education than online learning.
Another con of this plan is that UNB will have to pay for more cleaning staff and PPE kits for all
students to ensure the safest environment possible. The pros of this plan are that students will get a
sense of normality with on campus classes. They will also receive a better learning experience
with in-person lectures and labs. Many schools and colleges have been trying out this system,
and it has been working efficiently.
Another approach to this scenario would be to wait for vaccines. This will put no individual at risk
of catching the virus. This will enable the university to completely resume in-person teaching,
students and staff members will not subconsciously be under fear of compromising their health. It
will also help in imparting the same quality of education, as according to the previous solution
some students may feel that they are being deprived of in-person teaching because they chose not
to attend in-person classes due to health and safety reasons. In addition, if the number of COVID19 cases rise by calling students onto campus, the university will have to stop all in-person classes
and this will lead to even further delays in resuming normal classes.
Overall it is a dilemma not only for the student body, but also for the UNB board of directors, as
in one scenario we are putting the health and safety of staff and students at risk to receive a better
education and a sense of normalcy, and on the other, by waiting for the vaccine, we risk the
mental health of isolated individuals from this method of delivery, but we receive a more
predictable and consistent instruction, while also having to settle for poorer quality.
3.1 Factors Pushing for a “Sooner than Later” Reopening
Students, professors/faculty, and other University staff are the primary stakeholders in this
situation. Covid-19 has completely changed what the university experience looks like, with the
majority of classes, tutorials, and labs being delivered online. This has had an effect on students at
UNB.
Decreased quality of learning has been one of the bigger issues, with students being forced to work
from a computer and interact solely through online means. This has made it more difficult for
students to stay motivated and engaged, communicate with professors and other students when
they need help, and for some, to learn what is being taught.
Another issue for students is they are missing out on the “university life”. A good balance between
school and social life is important, but campus being mostly closed has lessened the opportunity
for interacting with and meeting other students. Clubs and sports are postponed, which has made
it difficult to take breaks from school by getting out and having fun.
As well as the students, faculty are also struggling. It is more difficult for them to interact with and
help students, and depending on technology to teach and provide other services is not easy. On the
other hand, in-person learning is more dangerous, if there were to be an outbreak on campus,
professors would have to isolate and quickly switch back to online. Keeping themselves and their
families safe is important, and with in-person learning it becomes more difficult to guarantee.
The biggest motivating factors for a “sooner than later” solution are the quality of the education of
students, the need for a social life outside of school, and the fact that technology is not dependable
enough for professors and students to do their respective work. The current type of education
delivery is not as appealing to many current and incoming students, and even some professors.
References
The Economist. (2020, March 12). Anatomy of a killer - Understanding SARS-CoV-2 and the
drugs that might lessen its power. The Economist. Retrieved November 21, 2020, from
https://www.economist.com/briefing/2020/03/12/understanding-sars-cov-2-and-the-drugsthat-might-lessen-its-power
Government of Canada. (n.d.). Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Prevention and risks.
Government of Canada. Retrieved November 21, 2020, from
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirusinfection/prevention-risks.html?&utm_campaign=gc-hc-sc-coronavirus2021-ao-20210005-9834796012&utm_medium=search&utm_source=google_grant-ads107802327544&utm_content=text-en-43
Government of New Brunswick. (n.d.). Coronavirus (COVID-19). Government of New
Brunswick. Retrieved November 20, 2020, from
https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/corporate/promo/covid19.html?fbclid=IwAR0OQug60_Pz23N8 SshRvc_HzA0lAJoEhT9wZhn1Bc9FYiCdCab5ueTc
Lawson, T., Nathans, L., Hillstrom, M., Fimiami, M., & Naglie, N. (2020, November 19).
COVID-19: Recovery and Re-opening Tracker. McCarthy Tetrault.
https://www.mccarthy.ca/en/insights/articles/covid-19-recovery-and-re-openingtracker?fbclid=IwAR3W5umFVPRErQD8dDmm2TsymUSAj7WTurir8naggXyMVygZWoPY8u3gK4
Mousavizadeh, L., & Ghasemi, S. (2020, March 31). Genotype and phenotype of COVID-19:
Their roles in pathogenesis.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1684118220300827#:~:text=COVID%
2D19%20is%20containing%20single,from%20the%20sgRNAs%20of%20CoVs.
World Health Organization. (2020, October 12). Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). World
Health Organization. Retrieved November 21, 2020, from
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/question-and-answershub/q-a-detail/coronavirus-disease-covid-19#:~:text=symptoms
The two extremes would be that a) no one returns to campus and we continue to deliver courses
online. This will put no individual at risk of catching the virus. However, by waiting for the
vaccine, we risk the mental health of isolated individuals from this method of delivery while also
having to settle for poorer quality.
Option b) : Everyone returns to campus without a vaccine and classes go back into person with
the use of masks and face shields.