Ryerson University announced this January that it would begin a gradual transition to in-person learning, but students fear they may soon be forced to either miss classes as a result.

Following the advice of Ontario health authorities, Ryerson announced on Jan. 19 the school would be gradually transitioning back to fully in-person learning by Feb. 28.

The news was bittersweet for some, including Douglas Aceiro, a second-year Ryerson student in the creative industries program.

He cited an example from the previous semester, when one of his classmates couldn’t come to class because she tested positive for COVID-19. The lectures that semester included an online option.

“But that’s not going to be an option soon,” Aceiro said.

Moving forward, Ryerson is leaving the decision of whether to record lessons up to individual professors, the school said in a statement.

Aceiro said he would prefer all of his profs keep recording their lectures. He said he and many of his friends had gotten sick with influenza, along with some who caught COVID-19 over the winter semester. Recordings allow them to follow along and keep up academically, he said.

But in an email Ryerson said students who miss classes or assignments should speak directly to their instructors “as is standard procedure at (Ryerson) in keeping with our academic consideration policy.

The spokesperson then said, “All universities in Ontario are planning to return to in-person learning and teaching this semester” and “…(Ryerson) is confident that a gradual return to campus activities is safe.”