Distance learning and remote work continue: JYU removes restrictions gradually in a controlled manner
As informed earlier, the University will continue teaching in the spring mainly as distance learning until the end of the academic year. For study units or their parts, in which it is not possible to implement teaching remotely, it is possible to implement teaching in JYU premises with a separate permission and by paying attention to safety issues.
As a rule, research and working will continue as remote work. In compliance with the instructions of the Regional State Administrative Agency (AVI), JYU premises will stay closed until 13 May. From 14 May, the premises will be opened only for research and limited teaching purposes. In addition, the Open Science Centre will open limited library services from 14 May, considering safety issues.
“We will follow the development of the pandemic situation and make changes to the University’s instructions when necessary,” says Rector Keijo Hämäläinen. “The Finnish Government’s coronavirus policies on 4 May give us good opportunities to take care of safety while gradually opening our operations in a controlled manner. The coronavirus has not disappeared from society. We are now searching new ways to operate safely and cause as little harm to studies and research as possible.”
The University’s updated coronavirus instructions are valid until 2 August 2020. The University will make decisions about the autumn term, considering the national and regional authority instructions, recommendations and the development of the epidemic situation, by 30 June 2020.
Summary of the University of Jyväskylä’s coronavirus instructions
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Function |
Principle |
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Use of premises |
Remote work continues until further notice, considering the exceptions mentioned below. Free access to JYU premises will not be opened. The University will continue with the current operating model also after 14 May. JYU premises will not be opened for the renting of external operators before 31 July 2020. The amount of staff working in the premises will be monitored based on the limitations. Employees working in the JYU premises must be separately named in advance. The employees and their visits to the facilities must be identifiable so that it is possible to clarify infection chains. Visits to and working in the premises will be verified based on the use of personal access cards. |
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Teaching |
Universities keep mainly closed from students and teaching will continue as distance learning according to the current plans and principles until the beginning of the autumn term. In certain disciplines or for specific reasons, when teaching cannot be implemented remotely due to the nature of the discipline, teaching in JYU premises can be increased upon the decision of the dean or the director of the independent institute, considering safety issues (e.g. laboratory work and field courses). Separate more specific instructions will be provided for taking care of safety. The instructions will set minimum requirements in order to open teaching in JYU premises. The University must have updated information on teaching in its facilities and persons participating in it. The vice rector responsible for teaching will coordinate the entity. |
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Research |
As a rule, research still takes place as remote work. Research activities that require use of JYU facilities, also other than currently allowed critical R&D activities, can be implemented in JYU premises by taking care of safety in compliance with separate instructions. The aim is to schedule and divide the activities in sections. Deans and directors of independent institutes are responsible for creating the plan for their academic units within the safety guidelines. To ensure safety of research, it is possible to use protective equipment procured by the University. The vice rector responsible for research is responsible for coordinating the research entity. Research that requires physical contact with test persons is allowed only by a separate decision of the vice rector responsible for research. |
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Library and museum operations |
The use of Open Science Centre’s libraries will be expanded. There can be only a limited number of employees in the premises at a time and the operations must follow the principles of promoted safety, considering various solutions for pick-up services and waiting rooms. The museums of the Open Science Centre will keep closed until further notice. |
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Events |
From 1 June, the public defences of dissertations can be implemented remotely according to the current procedure or, optionally, in the JYU premises by taking caution and following valid regulations and restrictions. The vice rector responsible for research will give more specific instructions for the public defences of dissertations. |
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Travelling abroad, conferences and seminars |
Travel limitations are valid until further notice. For travelling abroad, the national restrictions and regulations and JYU’s specifying instructions must be followed. The University will monitor the situation and specify the instructions for the summer on 19 May 2020 and for time after 31 July 2020 on 30 June 2020. Until further notice, conferences and seminars will be implemented online by following the national recommendations. |
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Other working at the University |
As a rule, working takes place as remote work. Meetings and social contacts during the day take place online. The need for contact work in services that support education and research is estimated by each division. The aim is to still implement services through remote connections as much as possible. The Finance and Service Director coordinates the service entity. All working must follow principles that promote safety. |
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Teacher Training School |
The Teacher Training School follows the national authority instructions for basic and secondary education. Upper secondary education continues as distance learning. However, the test week of upper secondary schools starting on 25 May can be implemented in the University facilities in small groups following the principles that promote safety, so that the students have an opportunity to practice using the system used in the matriculation examination. |
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Free time activities and hobbies |
The limitations of nonessential activities will continue until further notice. Academic Sports will continue as video implementations. Information on possible small group exercise outdoors will be provided separately. University gyms are not available for staff or students. The activities of hobby groups are not carried out in University facilities. |
Further information:
