How we handle the situation with Corona

On this page we provide information related to the coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19) and how University West handles the situation. We recommend all students and employees to keep themselves informed.

Last updated August 18.

What about public gatherings at University West at he autumn term?

According to the Government's recommendations for higher education, teaching can be conducted on campus this autumn. To reduce the risk of spreading the infection, the activities need to be adapted in accordance to the expert authorities' recommendations.

University West follows the Swedish Public Health Agency's recommendations, which means that we consider our business as a workplace. This means that our activities are not to be regarded as public gatherings (with a limit of a maximum of 50 people). This means that we will have entire student groups on campus. Thus, we refer to the regulations, general advice and recommendations that apply to the rest of society.

Teaching during the autumn will be conducted in a mixed format with parts on campus and parts at a distance. We have a spacious campus and will work hard to make the teaching at campus work - based on the Swedish Public Health Agency's recommendations.

The following priorities apply for the autumn

Introduction and certain teaching of new programme students (students who started/start their education in the spring or autumn of 2020)
Teaching parts with aesthetic, practical and laboratory elements for all students that are not possible or not suitable to carry out in any way other than on campus.
Examinations that are not possible or not suitable to carry out in any other way other than on campus.

How we adapt our premises for reduced spread of infection

University West adapts the operations, the premises and inform in order to minimize the spread of Covid-19 during the start of the autumn term.

To reduce the risk of spread of infection, the number of seats in the classrooms has been limited and times for scheduling have been increased.

The university's premises are prioritized for teaching. Conferences are primarily organized digitally. Any conferences and events on site on campus are to be considered as public gatherings. Here we follow the government's decision not to allow more than 50 people.

Indoor environment and socializing

Generally, you are encouraged to use every other seat in all spaces on campus. Signs will be placed all over the campus.
Where possible, the number of places is sparse and marked by stickers.
Signs to keep distance and stay at home when ill, will be found around campus and at the entrances.
In the restaurant and the café, the seats are sparse and information about social distancing is to be found.
During practical elements, measures are taken to enable the students to keep their distance.
Most of the university's classrooms will be unlocked during the day to reduce the risk of gathering outside.
Student and local hosts are employed during the first weeks of the term, they will both check that new students receive the help and information they need, and ensure that larger crowds are avoided.

Hand hygiene

Hand alcohol is placed in frequently used passages, such as in the entrances. Of course, at all kitchenettes/coffee rooms and toilets on campus you will find soap and paper towels.

Cleaning

The cleaning routines have been strengthened, which means that cleaning of toilets and spraying of contact surfaces such as table surfaces, taps, handles, handrails takes place daily.

Keep distance and take personal responsibility

It is important that if you have symptoms, even mild ones, or belong to a risk group, you should not come to campus. When we all take personal responsibility for minimizing the spread of Covid-19, we will be able to conduct teaching on campus this autumn.

More information to students and staff

Students

Distance studies, FAQ about campus, travel, health etc.

Updated information

Staff

Distance teaching, FAQ about working from home, travel, health etc.

Updated information

Press and media

Here you find the university's media contacts and press room etc .

University news about the coronavirus

Pressrelease March 17th:
University West shifts to remote education and examination due to Coronavirus outbreak

Pressrelease March 14th:
Information from the Vice-Chancellor of University West regarding the coronavirus

Previously published recent information about Corona

June 4: Preparations for autumn's activities

University West follows the Public Health Authority's general regulations and advice. Because of new recommendations (se below May 29) the university's management group is now working intensively to prepare for the autumn's activities.

From May 29: Swedish universities will return to more regular activities this autumn

At today's press conference, Prime Minister Stefan Löfven and Minister of Higher Education and Research Matilda Ernkrans announced that all Swedish universities will be able to return to more regular activities in the autumn. They pointed out, however, that everyone must be prepared for new decisions / restrictions to be made due to spread of infection.

This means that the University West continues to plan for a campus-based autumn term, which was previously announced. However, it is still important that no gatherings with more than 50 people may take place. The activities that take place at the start of the semester – Introduction Days, HVälkommen and the Student Union's welcoming - are therefore still planned at a distance mode - for example by recorded films. More information will come.

From May 20: New semester, introduction and teaching this autumn

After consultation with the University West management group, University West is planning and preparing for campus-based activities during the coming semester of 2020. This is what we offered most of the students who applied to us for the coming autumn.

However, we are in a position where we cannot control the circumstances and we do not know if we once again need to adjust to a distance mode according to the recommendations and decisions made by the Public Health Authority and the government concerning next semester. If needed, a new decision will be taken and communicated to all students and employees when the welcoming e-mail is sent to all students August 3rd.

The activities that aim to welcome new students are primarily planned as distance activities. This applies to Introduction Days (26-28/8), "HVälkommen"-introduction (31/8) and "Inslussningen", arranged by the The Student Union (31/8-13/9).

From May 8: Virtual graduation ceremony
We follow the government's guidelines (27 March) not to arrange meetings with more than 50 people. Therefore, the graduation ceremonies at campus will be cancelled. On June 5, it will instead be a virtual graduation ceremony for the students who are now graduating. This is done through live broadcast via Youtube.
Read more about the virtual graduation ceremony.

From April 9:
From March 18 to June 5, 2020, all teaching and examination at the University West will be conducted at a distance. At present, we have no information about what will happen after June 5, but we will come back with further information.

From April 1:
The Public Health Agency of Sweden sharpens its general recommendation - Keep your distance and take personal responsibility!

The Public Health Agency of Sweden has now sharpened its advice and has updated its information on how both private individuals and organizations as well as companies should act to minimize the spread of infection. According to the new general recommendations, large gatherings of people should be avoided and people over 70 years of age should be especially careful. You can read more about risk groups on the website of the Public Health Agency of Sweden (in Swedish only).

In addition, the Public Health Agency has given the following recommendations:
Employers should ensure that staff and visitors keep their distance, that employees can work from home and avoid unnecessary travel if possible.

At University West this means that the preferred option for all employees is to work from home. This should be done after making arrangements with the respective managers. Employees who have tasks that cannot be performed from home are encouraged to keep their distance to the greatest extent possible.
This also means that University West will continue to encourage students to study from home. If study areas or group rooms on campus are used, distances should be kept to reduce the spread of infection. Everyone has a great personal responsibility.

From March 27: Prohibition of public gatherings or events with more than 50 participants
Regarding conferences and events, we follow the government's guidelines (27 March) not to arrange meetings with more than 50 people.

From March 17: University West will switch to digital teaching and examination
At a press conference this morning, Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven announced that the government recommends universities to switch to distance education.

This means that all teaching and examination at University West will be conducted at a distance, as far as possible. No teaching or examination will be given on campus and students are encouraged to study from home. This applies from Wednesday, 18 March and until further notice.

University West crisis management team

University West has activated its crisis management team. The group meets continuously (digitally) to deal with the overall issues associated with the outbreak of the virus. They handle the government's decisions with the necessary measures, monitor the updates of the other authorities and follow the handling of other universities on the issue.

University West crisis management team