“I tip my hat to everyone at ETH”

Mr Weidmann, from a crisis management perspective, what’s your take on the situation at ETH now that we have entered our third week of emergency operations?
Ulrich Weidmann: Teaching, research and the admin functions moved as many processes as possible online basically overnight – an admirable effort. To a large degree ETH hit the turbocharge button on decentralising and digitising its operations, and the university has remained functional on the high level that we’ve all come to expect. I tip my hat to everyone at ETH. We’re a strong community.

Which areas were particularly fast in making the switch?
The first people who deserve mention are the teaching staff, researchers and students. Within days they moved all their lecturers online and were also willing to stop their experiments immediately. Also all of the Executive Board staff units, Facility Management and the Safety, Security, Health and Environment (SGU) department with all of their on-site staff, IT Services and HR have been giving their best efforts. Internal communication was critical in ensuring that everything went so smoothly. Corporate Communications worked together with SGU to immediately set up an information hub on the coronavirus, and they used our usual communication channels to connect people with everything they need to know. We also can’t forget to mention the finance team, who immediately ensured that ETH would be able to continue paying its bills on time. This is part of our responsibility to the community and something we have to continue doing in the crisis. Because despite all the difficulties, at ETH we are in a very privileged position compared to many others.

What are the limits of digital operations at ETH?
Our many researchers who rely on the lab to do their work have been dealt a particularly hard blow by the situation. All we can do is ask again for their understanding. We really recognise how committed our researchers are and how they are energetically pushing forward with their work despite all the restrictions and obstacles. On the other hand, we’ve been asked the question of why cleaning staff and construction workers are still allowed in the buildings while researchers have to stay home.

Right, speaking of buildings – they are not totally deserted. Who is still allowed to work on the ETH premises?
We’ve developed a set of rules for who’s allowed, which you can read on the ETH coronavirus website. For example, teaching staff who need to record or stream their lectures can access the buildings, as well as support staff from IT and Academic Services. For research operations, we need researchers to continue working on experiments that have received special approval from the Vice President for Research. Special approval has also been granted to around 20 projects so far that make an immediate contribution to fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, there are critical infrastructures like the EPIC animal research centre that cannot be shut down and require specialised staff to work on site. Similarly, it is still essential to have the buildings cleaned in a reduced capacity, and construction work is still going on – of course while adhering to the safety measures of the Federal Office of Public Health. We are carrying out our own random checks to make sure this is the case. As the buildings are practically empty, some maintenance work is being carried out ahead of schedule so that it will be less disruptive once we’re operating normally again.

You need the right equipment to work from home and take part in online meetings. How are you making sure that everyone has access to computers, monitors and other communication tools?
Employees can take their computers, monitors and other devices home for the time being. If they are using their personal computers for work, then ETH will continue to provide them with the software they need. Everyone can now forward their office phone number to their private landline or mobile phone. If someone is missing a webcam or headphones, they can order one after discussing with their supervisor. ETH will cover the costs of appropriate standard equipment. This also applies to part of the costs of a printer if one is needed for business purposes.

And what’s the situation with internet connections?
We assume that our employees already have an internet connection at home. We cannot cover the costs for employees’ internet connections, even if one now has to be set up.

Many employees are incurring extra costs, for example for phone lines, toner, paper and so on. Why isn’t ETH making any contribution here?
We’re generous in many respects, for instance when it comes to childcare or IT, as just discussed. However, we are also a privileged public institution, and that requires showing some solidarity. You have to consider that no one’s job is in danger, no one’s salary is in danger, ETH is not in danger. At the same time, many in Switzerland have just seen their economic foundations crumble, and every day we hear news of tragic fates.

Let’s briefly address what triggered the crisis in the first place. How many ETH members have been infected with the coronavirus?
At the moment there are four confirmed cases among staff, all identified at different times and places. Based on the information we have, there is no connection between the cases.

Are people informed if one of their colleagues has become infected?
Employees showing symptoms of illness are required to stay home and to inform their supervisors immediately. When it comes to informing others, ETH has to consider their obligation to safeguard the health of their employees. This means that any employee who has been in contact with the infected person needs to be informed. The data and privacy rights of the infected person also have to be respected. Supervisors should inform their teams about the situation in an appropriate manner based on the “need to know” principle, ideally in agreement with the person who has been infected. The general rule is to communicate as openly as needed but as discreetly as possible.