Through a memo released shortly before Friday midnight on the 4th June, the Provost of The College of Medicine, University of Ibadan (CoMUI) welcomed all students back on campus after a 15-month period of prolonged absence. The COVID-19 pandemic which broke out in December 2019 necessitated the closure of all physical campuses around the nation.
Although some private tertiary institutions of learning opened their doors for physical resumption in September 2020, an ongoing ASUU strike ensured that federally funded schools stayed shut. In a meeting held on January 2021, the University of Ibadan senate proposed that all first semester lectures be virtual and halls of residence remain closed.
Students in CoMUI are expected to report physically from Monday 7th June for an audit exercise which is expected to last a week. Guidelines for the audit process have been forwarded to students’ registered email addresses and widely circulated on WhatsApp.
This audit process which is meant to take place at two levels: the first or departmental level and the second or college level will end on Friday, 11th June, 2021. While some students have been given a lecture-free week to attend the exercise, others are advised to come in for the audit process when they have a free period.
Alexander Brown Hall which for long has been opened exclusively to final year MBBS and BDS students is now prepared to welcome more students. In a memo from the Hall Warden, Dr FA Bello, Brownites were urged to comply with the pre-existing COVID guidelines, avoid contact sports on resumption, and cooperate with the hall management.
While no mention has been made regarding places of gathering such as the common room and the TV room, Brownites have been informed of a restriction on dining-in at the cafeterias. In line with an earlier released circular, students were instructed to retrieve their belongings from the hall with immediate effect.
Although the news of ABH re-opening has been largely received with frenzy, some quarters have expressed concerns about their fate. In a special coverage next Monday, ABH Press will report on the reaction of Brownites to the ongoing student audit and hall reopening.
