New coronavirus master plan: ETH to release details next week

The relaxed restrictions announced by the government provide further opportunities for in-person teaching events, but subject to certain very tight limitations. They do not affect the working situation of ETH employees. Cultural events are possible again on a small scale. There will be a town hall meeting next week to give employees more details of the new arrangements starting on 26 April. Lecturers and students will receive the information in an email from the Rector. From Monday onwards, the ASVZ will be allowed to resume sports activities on site.

Getting more students on campus

No more than 50 people in classrooms or lecture halls, with only one third of maximum room capacity used and subject to the usual rules on distancing: unfortunately the new government requirements do not allow a general and centrally coordinated return to in-person teaching in lectures and exercises. “But we are all aware how important it is for many students to spend at least some of their time on campus so they can get together with fellow students, and also with their tutors and supervisors,” Rector Sarah Springman comments. With this in mind, the Rectorate is currently working with department heads and representatives from university groups and associations to explore potential opportunities for more face-to-face contact.

The Rectorate is asking individual lecturers to consider which onsite elements they might be able to use for their teaching events. “We feel it is important that the solutions offered are supported by lecturers and offer a genuine advantage compared with online teaching options,” Springman says. One important requirement still stands: access to all teaching events previously offered online must continue, irrespective of whether they now also contain in-person elements. “This is the only way to ensure that all students have the opportunity to participate in them,” Springman explains. But she is not yet in a position to provide details of the new rules governing teaching due to take effect on 26 April: “We still need a little time to complete our preparations”. Springman will update lecturers and students by email next week. Teaching events organised by the School for Continuing Education can go ahead, in line with government guidelines.

Employees to continue working from home

The latest easing of restrictions has no effect on the working situation of ETH employees, as working from home is still compulsory (with the usual exemptions). “Personally, I am also keen to return to campus and see my colleagues and staff in the flesh again,” says Ueli Weidmann, head of the university’s Covid-19 Task Force. At the moment the only option is for him to keep urging people to be patient. The new opportunities for leisure activities are certainly a good way to slightly boost the morale of ETH employees. One example is the external page ASVZ sporting activities due to resume next Monday, 19 April.

“To make sure the new arrangements are effective, however, it is important for everyone to continue behaving responsibly,” Weidmann cautions. This includes ETH members taking advantage of the new test facilities.

The new test facilities slightly increase the opportunities for field excursions. The previous rule that all participants had to spend the night in individual rooms meant that many excursions were impossible due to lack of suitable accommodation. Now up to four people can share the same room, as long as their daily test result is negative, using a self-test kit certified by the Federal Office of Public Health. Weidmann is convinced: “Even though not all students stand to benefit to the same extent from this relaxed regulation, this is at least a tiny step towards improving our general well-being”.

First cultural events allowed again

Cultural activities also help improve our well-being. With this in mind, ETH intends to allow individual events again, subject to the new government rules, starting from 26 April. For example: it should be possible to hold an event with up to 50 guests, with a limit of 15 for guided tours. “The new government rules apply explicitly to cultural events; we will provide concrete details in the master plan of how this affects the university. There is very little room for manoeuvre, however,” Weidmann explains. Events organised by students will also be possible, subject to the relevant rules. “We are thinking of film showings, for example, or larger study groups that require more space,” he suggests.

But what do students think about these new arrangements? “We are delighted that the Federal Council thought about students when easing restrictions,” says Luca Dahle, President of the student association VSETH. “Particularly as we know that mental health becoming an issue for more and more students in the current situation.” Even though the relaxed rules have a relatively small impact: “We are very glad that ETH always thinks about the well-being of students as well.” With this in mind, he hopes that as many lecturers as possible incorporate in-person elements into their teaching sessions.