Saint Francis Xavier University’s new president says his chief goal is to keep the school running smoothly in a constantly changing pandemic.
The role officially started for Andrew Hakin on June 1, but he’s still in the midst of a move delayed by COVID-19.
Hakin tells The Hawk that hasn’t stopped him from being involved, he’s been part of building the plan to bring students back.
“Our priority is to get our students safely back to Antigonish,” he says. “Commence classes in a smooth and orderly way.”
Hakin says, regardless of their decision, about 1500 students would be returning to Antigonish anyway.
He says, by reopening the university for about 75 per cent of classes, they’ll be better able to manage the students in the town.
“It’s a big move, and in many ways it’s a moving target with things evolving with the response to COVID-19,” he says, “But we know what we’re doing is a safe approach.”
Hakin says his first year will be primarily that, adjusting their ongoing pandemic response.
