LiU to return to campus-based activities this autumn, in stages

(Updated 2020-05-29 15:55)

Linköping University will return in stages to on-campus operations during the autumn term. The Swedish government has announced that institutions of higher education can return to normal operations, and the previous recommendations relating to distance mode will be rescinded on 15 June.

But not everything will immediately return to normal. The regulations and recommendations issued by the Public Health Agency of Sweden apply also in the autumn, which places requirements for social distancing and a maximum size of groups. It may be necessary to conduct certain components of teaching remotely, to reduce the risk of the spread of infection.

More information about the autumn term will be published shortly.

Distance mode, which is currently in force due to the spread of the novel coronavirus, is to remain active during the spring term. This means that education and exams will continue to be carried out remotely, while co-workers work from home as much as possible. 

 

Keep it up, keep your distance and act responsibly

(Updated 2020-04-24 15:30) Uncertainty, isolation and anxiety. Distance mode will be in force at LiU for the rest of the term, and we must keep up the good work, keep our distance, and act responsibly – for our sake and the sake of others. While distance mode is in force: stay at home if you have any symptoms, be meticulous about hand hygiene, and avoid large gatherings.

The crisis management group at LiU encourages all co-workers and students to:

• Stay away from campus unless you have to be here.
• Carry out work, teaching and meetings remotely, as far as possible.
• Avoid gathering many people in one place.

 

---

 

“Distance mode is how we live now.” Kent Waltersson, University Director and Helen Dannetun, Vice-Chancellor.

 

Latest updates

Restrictions during the autumn

Linköping University will begin the transition to on-campus operations at the start of the autumn term, with certain restrictions to prevent the spread of infection of COVID-19. This means, among other things, that priorities must be set with respect to what can continue to take place remotely, and what can be carried out in a more normal manner.

Welcome back to campus this autumn

Linköping University will open this autumn, in stages. The Swedish government announced at a press conference on Friday afternoon, 29 May, that institutions of higher education will return to normal operation this autumn.

New guidelines for exams taken remotely

LiU has now changed the guidelines for exams that are reconfigured to exams taken remotely. At least five working days before the exam, the examiner is to provide information about which technical aids are permitted. The new guidelines do not allow students to post-register for an exam after the registration deadline.

Outgoing student exchanges cancelled

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has advised against unnecessary travel until (at least) 15 June. We do not know what will happen after this. For this reason, LiU has decided to cancel all student exchanges for LiU students during the autumn term of 2020. This applies to students currently at LiU who had planned to travel abroad on an exchange visit outside of Sweden in the autumn.

Further limitations on the campuses

In an email to LiU’s students, the crisis management group describes signals that suggest that increasing numbers of students are returning to campus and failing to observe social distancing. For this reason, further restrictions are being introduced with respect to opening hours and accessibility.

---

Background

Towards the end of 2019, it was confirmed that a novel coronavirus that infected humans had been identified in China. The disease caused by this virus, COVID-19, has become a pandemic from which many have died. The infection has now spread all over the world, and has affected many societal functions. Many countries have decided to take extensive measures, such as to close borders and introduce strict social distancing, in order to reduce the spread of infection.

In Sweden, the Public Health Agency of Sweden issues recommendations, while the government takes decisions about measures to take to reduce the spread of infection. Linköping University follows these recommendations and decisions.

Linköping University has a central crisis management group, which has been in action since 10 March 2020. This group manages and takes decisions relating to how the corona pandemic affects operations. It has the safety of our co-workers and students as its highest priority. Further, the crisis management group aims to secure the various operations at the university in the short and long terms.