Looking ahead to the autumn, the University Management has taken the line that the University will be able to open up and return to normal, with faculties and departments deciding for themselves how to conduct their education – without restrictions ordered by the Vice-Chancellor. Yesterday news came from the government that the requirement to conduct adult education remotely will be removed on 1 June.
“This is very pleasing news, it’s time to welcome our students back to campus. The pandemic has been characterised by difficult planning conditions, it’s good to receive clearer information now,” says Vice-Chancellor Anders Hagfeldt.
Although it will be possible to resume on-campus teaching from 1 June, the current infection situation and the general restrictions in force will need to be taken into account. From the autumn semester onwards, education can hopefully return to something approximating the pre-pandemic situation.
“Today we have doctoral degree conferment ceremonies, but I have called a meeting on Monday morning to discuss decisions that may need to be taken in response to this. The return to campus should be planned locally by the faculties.”
The University Management and Management Council agree that it is best for students, teachers and educational quality to drop the restrictions as soon as possible and focus on creating the very best education without binding formal requirements. Teacher–student meetings and deepening conversations are important. Meeting in person also adds greatly to the value of the university experience for students, quite apart from their education as such. Studying at Uppsala University includes experiencing the environment, the nations, the city and the whole breadth of the University and its cultural offerings.
What if the infection rate goes up again?
If infection rates increase and further restrictions are imposed, it is possible to go online – we have already demonstrated this and have learnt more along the way. However, our forward planning must aim for the best possible education for students at Uppsala University, without restrictions.
What does an ‘orderly’ return to normal mean?
We will discuss the details of this on Monday, but the faculties will bear most of the responsibility. However, if we have to set priorities, the most important thing in our view is that first-year students and students who have not yet had any on-campus education have to come first.
Not all students will have been vaccinated at the start of the semester. That being so, can we demand that they participate in on-campus education in large groups?
If the assessment of the Public Health Agency of Sweden is that the restrictions can be removed, we will follow that and rely on their assessment. According to the national plan, the great majority of adults will have been vaccinated by the time the semester starts, which will reduce the risk of transmission. We have lived with the coronavirus for a long time and all need to begin to return to a more normal life again, working and teaching and learning on campus.
Will it be possible to deviate from what the syllabi state will take place on campus or online? Some have already taken local decisions to be online – do they have to reverse their decisions?
The aim should be to open up for on-campus education in the autumn, but given the short planning horizons we understand that the faculties/departments need to take local, practical decisions. Naturally, when it comes to local conditions, the faculties and departments know best. Having said that, we do not know yet what position the authorities will take on any departures from syllabi in the autumn.
The restrictions on public gatherings in general were also relaxed, allowing more people to gather at public events. What does this mean for Uppsala University?
We will look at this next week too, but it will involve an easing of restrictions at various types of public events, such as doctoral thesis defences. From Tuesday onwards, 50 people will be allowed to gather rather than eight at indoor events, provided they have designated seats.