VICE-CHANCELLOR DECISION. In line with the Government’s decision to lower the limit for general meetings to eight people, the Vice-chancellor has today revised the autumn semester’s policy decision. This means that employees’ and students’ presence on university’s premises must be very restrictive. The main rule is continued distant working and digital teaching.
“Many of us are now worried about the increased spread of infection and are wondering what more we can do to curb it. For the university, it is about finding the balance between contributing to reduced spread of infection while we continue to conduct good quality education”, says Vice-chancellor Eva Wiberg.
Since the outbreak of the pandemic, the university has aimed to contribute to reducing the spread of infection in society. This has been done through the transition to digital teaching and temporary working from home.
The government decided on 20 November to lower the limit for public gatherings to eight people. The Government has also clearly stated that this should also be the norm for gatherings that do not fall under public gatherings and public events, and the Vice-chancellor has therefore today revised the autumn semester’s policy decision.
The university decides on exceptions
The decision states that no activity that gathers more than eight people shall, as a general rule, take place on the university’s premises. Decisions on exemptions may be made by the head of department after consultation with the Dean. Previously made decisions regarding the autumn semester are being reviewed and must be revised if necessary.
According to Matilda Ernkrans, Minister for Higher Education and Research, universities are themselves able to make assessments of which elements cannot be implemented digitally and remotely.
“I share the Minister’s view and have great confidence that the organization will be able to decide what is not possible to implement digitally. This may, for example, involve certain examinations and exams, some laboratory work and parts of artistic education. But we should definitely not have staff meetings or lectures on site that could just as easily have taken place digitally”, says Eva Wiberg.
Hall exams possible, but should be an exception
During the autumn, the number of hall exams has decreased drastically compared with the autumn term 2019, and now it will be even fewer. Hall exams will still occur, however, but only when other examinations are not possible. Decisions on hall exams are made by the head of department after consultation with the Dean. Students will receive information on how their examination is to be conducted from their institution.
At the beginning of next week, there will be an updated decision on how the common exam rooms may be used, as well as a guide to the organization on distance exams.
“I am aware that these new conditions place great demands on both employees and students. But it is important that we all, both privately and at work, make every effort and do what we can to reduce the spread of infection”, says Eva Wiberg.
Previously made policy decisions
Today’s decision by the Vice-chancellor is a revision of the current orientation decision for the autumn term. The revised decision applies from 24 November 2020 to 19 January 2021.
At the beginning of November, the Vice-chancellor made a decision on the direction for the spring semester 2021, read more about this: Digital and at a distance also during the spring semester.
The internal recommendations are based on the advice and recommendations of the responsible authorities, as well as decisions from the Government and the Riksdag. This means that the university is continuously prepared to deal with new circumstances quickly.
Read more
- Employee portal: Information for employees
- More information for students will come at the beginning of week 48
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