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 July 1st.

Most recent Information

Policy decision for campus operations in autumn 2020

On May 29, the government and the Public Health Authorities updated their recommendations to Swedish universities, which means that a return to more regular activities are now possible.

For University West, this means that teaching in the autumn will be conducted in a mixed format, with parts on campus and parts through distance education. To minimize the spread of infection, the number of seats in classrooms will be limited and scheduled hours will be increased. When planning the autumn's teaching activities on campus, the following priorities apply:

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.

To students:
Information about your course and how your classes will be conducted will be published on the Canvas learning platform before the autumn term starts.

To staff:
The university's adapted return to campus-based activities also includes the university's employees. Workplaces, common staff areas and meeting forms must be adapted, as far as possible, in accordance with recommendations from the Swedish Public Health Authorities. Requests concerning working from home should be discussed with the nearest manager.

Conferences/events:
The university's premises will be prioritized for teaching in the autumn. Therefore, conferences organized by the university should primarily be held digitally.

To Vice-Chancellor´s decision (In Swedish) at the Staff Portal

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