12 November 2020
A message from the Rector
Dear Students,
as you all know, this is one of the most challenging times of our lives. The Covid-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, continues to spread through countries all over the world, causing thousands of hospital admissions and deaths. In Italy as well the pandemic curve is worrying, and our National Health System is facing serious difficulties in delivering the necessary care. We must all do our part to prevent the spread of the virus by strictly complying with the recommended hygiene and public health measures.
The rules to be followed within University’s facilities and premises have been repeatedly announced by the University’s Covid-19 Task-Force. However, I have received reports of inappropriate behaviours, such as non-use or incorrect use of face masks, gatherings, consumption of food at the University, non-compliance with social distancing measures in study spaces, etc. Needless to say, these behaviours not only lead to an increased risk of contagion, but also go against the educational and cultural values of the University, which must be upheld not only by our professors and lecturers, but also by our students.
I am not in favour of total university closures, and as a University we have been determined to ensure that lectures, as well as access to libraries, practicals and internships, can take place as far as possible ‘on site’ with students physically attending, provided that national public health regulations are always complied with. Indeed, all activities taking place at the University must be carried out in compliance with the public health measures in place to tackle the spread of the virus. I regret to inform you that, should these reports of misconduct continue, I will need to announce a closure of the University for the sake of public health.
Therefore, I strongly recommend that you follow the rules set out by the University’s Covid-19 Task-Force and behave in a manner appropriate to university students. I also invite my colleagues to set an example and continue to carry out their educational and supervisory functions, which are part of their institutional duties.
The Rector
Pier Francesco Nocini
5 November 2020
Update from the University’s Covid-19 Task Force - Prime Ministerial Decree of 4 November 2020
In the light of Prime Ministerial Decree of 4 November 2020, the Covid-19 Task Force of the University of Verona hereby announces that:
- teaching and curricular activities for all the University’s courses - Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD degree programmes, Professional Master's programmes, professional development courses - including exams and any extra-curricular activities, shall be held remotely only (via Distance Learning). Only teaching activities and exams for Bachelor’s, Master’s and Single cycle/Combined Bachelor+Master’s students in their first year shall take place on-site with students physically attending, provided that students are given the opportunity to attend remotely if they wish so. Likewise, practical activities (e.g. lab activities and practicals, including internships requiring practical work) for students in any year of study shall take place on-site; however, should the number of attending students be less than 10, each Teaching Committee shall decide to hold such activities via Distance Learning only, upon agreement with the Rector; the Programme Director of each Degree programme will be able to take action if emergencies arise, in agreement with the relevant offices, promptly notifying the Rector of any measures taken; should a University of Verona location/campus be in a region classified as a RED area (zone rosse, Covid-19 high-risk areas), all teaching activities scheduled to take place in that specific location/campus must continue online only, via Distance Learning;
- courses for doctors in specialist training and courses for trainees in the health professions can in any case continue to be held both on site and remotely, also in the event that the relevant University’s location/campus is in a region classified as a RED area (zona rossa, Covid-19 high-risk area);
- study spaces and rooms must be made available only to first-year students, and must only be used between lectures, should in-person teaching activities continue. This opportunity will be granted to students as long as they comply with the relevant social distancing measures, and wear a face mask at all times. Students are advised that smoking and eating while at the University shall not be permitted;
- graduation and final exams - for Bachelor’s/Master’s degree programmes, PhD programmes, Postgraduate specialisation programmes, Professional Master’s programmes, and advanced courses, etc. - may only be held remotely;
- university and exchange trips and initiatives, guided and educational tours are now suspended;
- conferences, seminars, and any other kind of event may only be held remotely;
- meetings may only be held remotely, unless there are compelling reasons for doing otherwise; meetings of collegial bodies must only be held remotely;
- Libraries at the University of Verona shall remain open by complying with the current rules on access. However, opening times shall be reduced in compliance with the overnight ‘curfew’ (coprifuoco) introduced by the latest Prime Ministerial Decree. In the light of this provision, study spaces and rooms at the Frinzi and Meneghetti Libraries shall remain open every day from 8.30 am to 7.30 pm;
- all Department Directors and Heads of Directorates shall organise work in their structures in such a way as to ensure that no more than 50% of people working in any capacity whatsoever are ever physically present on site (e.g. lecturers, technical-administrative staff, language lecturers, scholarship and research grant holders, PhD students, students taking part in 'Student-work scheme’ activities, i.e. ‘150 ore’, contractors). Should the Veneto region be classified as an ORANGE area (Covid-19 medium-risk area), since it will be forbidden to move in and out of the region except for proven work reasons, exceptional necessity, or to attend in-person teaching activities, people who do not have a working relationship with the University will not be allowed to access the University’s facilities;
- anyone living in a RED area (zona rossa, Covid-19 high-risk area) will be allowed to reach the University’s locations and facilities only for proven work reasons, exceptional necessity, or to attend in-person teaching activities (if applicable).
Please keep up-to-date with official guidance on Covid-19 risk areas, and any updates from the University’s Covid-19 Task Force.
These provisions shall enter into force from Friday 6 November 2020 until further notice.
The University’s Task Force on Covid-19
29 October 2020
Update 29/10/2020: Admission Tests for Master’s degree programmes in the Health Professions to be postponed
Due to the current Covid-19 health emergency, pursuant to Ministerial Decree no. 799 of 28 October 2020, Admission Tests for Master's degree programmes in the Health Professions have been postponed to a date to be determined.
The new date, based on the evolution of the pandemic and any relevant provisions, will be set by March 2021.
28 October 2020
Update from the University’s Covid-19 Task Force
The Covid-19 Task Force of the University of Verona, in the light of Prime Ministerial Decree of 25 October and the outcomes of the CORECO meeting of the Veneto Region held on Tuesday 26 October, hereby announces that:
1. at the present time it is not necessary to change what has been established by the University as regards curricular teaching activities. Each Teaching Committee may agree with the Rector on specific adjustments in relation to the specific needs of each teaching activity, and on the relevant student attendance requirements. The Programme Director of each Degree programme will be able to take action if emergencies arise, in agreement with the relevant offices, promptly notifying the Rector of any measures taken;
2. conference, seminars, and any other kind of event may only be held remotely;
3. non-curricular cultural and teaching initiatives must be approved and authorised in advance by the University’s Covid-19 Task Force on the basis of the evolution of the epidemiological situation and ensuring that adequate public health measures are in place. Requests must be submitted to Dr. Debora Brocco;
4. Students and teaching staff must strictly comply with the Covid-19 guidelines of the University of Verona;
5. it is strictly forbidden to eat while in the University’s facilities, including outdoor areas; it is also recommended to avoid meals with other people or any other close contact in the workplace (i.e. at a distance of less than two metres from other people for 15 minutes or more, without wearing a face mask);
6. classrooms and study spaces shall remain available to students for study only, and respecting the places allocated in agreement with the University’s provisions on social distancing. In all study spaces, as inside the other University facilities and buildings, it is mandatory to wear face mask at all times;
7. with regard to access to Frinzi, Meneghetti and Santa Marta libraries, please note that access to study spaces is allowed to University of Verona teaching staff, students, technical-administrative staff, students working on their dissertation, PhD students, and scholarship and research grant holders, upon reservation via the Affluences app, following the instructions set out in the relevant Library’s web pages. Please also note that your booking is personal to you, then you are advised not to change or give up your seat. In the event that, following random ID checks, it is found that a student has given their booking to someone else, the student who made the booking will be reported to the University’s disciplinary board. Such conduct not only constitutes a disciplinary offence that can be punished by the University, but may also constitute a criminal offence pursuant to Article 615quater (unauthorised possession and dissemination of access codes via computer or telematic systems) and 494 (fraud of impersonation) of the Italian Criminal Code;
8. meetings must be held remotely, unless there are compelling reasons for doing otherwise, and on condition that physical distance and, consequently, the safety of the staff summoned is ensured.
In addition, it is specified that, according to the clarifications provided by INPS on 9 October 2020, in the event of quarantine and precautionary self-isolation, the University’s staff, including teaching staff, may work at a distance. In the case of a confirmed Covid-19 case (certified by the relevant GP/family doctor in the usual manner), the employee in question is regarded as ‘temporarily unable to work’, therefore they shall not be required to work.
Finally, we regret to inform you that the University of Verona is experiencing difficulties in obtaining seasonal flu vaccine doses; for this reason, we suggest that you contact your GP/family doctor.
The University’s Task Force on Covid-19
9 October 2020
Update from the University’s Covid-19 Task Force on the use of face masks
In implementing Decree Law no. 125 of 07/10/2020, it is hereby announced, as a partial amendment to the “Academic year 2020/21: Covid-19 guidelines for students and teaching staff”, that face masks must be worn at all times in all University premises and facilities.
It is therefore specified that:
- all students arriving at the University must bring a face mask with them, and keep it on at all times while in the University’s indoor and outdoor spaces;
- also in line with no-smoking regulations, it is not allowed to linger and smoke in the University’s outdoor spaces (courtyards, gardens, car parks, etc.);
- teaching staff must also wear a face mask during lessons;
- all staff must keep their face mask on at all times, except when working alone in a room.
Please also note that the use of ‘community’ face coverings is also permitted, i.e. disposable or washable masks, including home-made masks in multilayer materials, that are large enough to securely cover the mouth, chin and nose, suitable to provide an adequate barrier while ensuring comfort and breathability.
14 September 2020
Academic year 2020/21: Covid-19 guidelines for students and teaching staff
General rules
Students and teaching staff can access the University’s premises and its facilities, provided that:
- they do not display the following symptoms: body temperature above 37.5°, cough, difficult breathing, severe sore throat, colds and conjunctivitis, loss of taste and smell, diarrhea;
- they have declared by means of a self-declaration - submitted at the beginning of the new academic year and with the resumption of in-person teaching activities - that they comply with the requirements for a safe return to University (i.e. not showing the above symptoms, not having been placed in quarantine, not having been in contact with a positive case of Covid-19). Details on how to submit the self-declaration form will be made available soon;
- they wear a face covering, at least a surgical face mask. If they wish to use a more protective mask, this must be without exhalation valve. Those not complying with these rules will be asked to leave;
- they follow the entrance and exit routes while in the University's internal areas, and follow the displayed signs;
- their body temperature - taken with an infrared thermometer - is not above 37.5°.
If a person displays Covid-19-like symptoms outside the university facilities, they must immediately notify their family doctor, or GP and follow their instructions. If a person starts feeling unwell while at the University, the following procedures must be followed. In order to facilitate contact tracing, students and teaching staff are strongly encouraged to download and use the Immuni app, ensuring that it is switched on at all times while at the University.
Additional rules for students
Self-declaration for students when booking a place for a lecture
Students:
- can access the classroom only after booking a place through the UNIVR Lezioni app. The app is not only for organisational purposes, but also for contact tracing; therefore, the student must sit in the seat allocated to them at the time of booking (please see seat number), and must cancel the booking if unable to attend the lesson. Details on how to record your attendance online will be made available soon;
- if they are in a classroom adjacent to the main classroom where the lecturer is present, and notice another student is showing Covid-19-like symptoms, they must immediately inform the lecturer;
- while inside University buildings or facilities, they must respect the public health and hygiene regulations in place. Specifically: they must always wear a face mask, wash their hands frequently with soap and water, or using the special hand sanitiser dispensers available, and keep a distance of at least 1 metre from other people;
- when entering and leaving the classroom, they must clean their hands using the special hand sanitiser dispensers available in the classroom or in the surrounding areas;
- must avoid gatherings, in particular at the entrance and exit of buildings, classrooms and toilets;
- inside the University’s building and facilities (classrooms, study areas, libraries and common areas), it shall be forbidden to sit in some seats (these will be duly marked off), or move chairs;
- when taking part in a lab session, they must follow the lecturer’s instructions, keep a distance of at least 1 metre from other people, keep their face mask on, sanitise their hands, use gloves if needed to carry out the laboratory activities in question. If necessary, once the lab session has been completed, students will need to clean the surfaces of the instruments used with wipes and neutral cleaning agents;
- must be punctual when arriving at a University’s administrative office or a lecturer’s office for office hours, showing up at the scheduled time for their appointment;
- in the case of in-person exams, they must arrive at the time communicated by the lecturer, on the basis of the lesson calendar and the time schedule set;
- must follow the instructions given by lecturers, tutors and technical-administrative staff in order to ensure compliance with the health and hygiene regulations aimed at containing the outbreak;
- until further notice, they can access the University's central libraries only by booking via the Affluences app, while they can access Departmental libraries by appointment, to be agreed by e-mail with the relevant library staff, and only after authorisation signed by their thesis Supervisor. Book loan service at all libraries is available by appointment. For further information, please check the libraries' web pages.
Additional rules for teaching staff
The lecturer is a fundamental part of the system of prevention and supervision in the workplace, as they are in charge of these aspects pursuant to the current regulations on health and safety in the workplace. Lecturers are therefore required not only to comply with these rules, but also to enforce them, ensuring that students follow them, if necessary by taking action.
Specifically, each lecturer must:
- wear a surgical face mask while in the common spaces of the University and inside the classroom, when they are not delivering the lecture. During the lessons the face mask should be worn if, due to necessity, it is not possible to keep a distance of at least two metres from other people;
- ensure that the hygiene measures in place are complied with, in particular the frequent washing of hands, preferably using soap and water or the available hand sanitiser dispensers;
- make sure the classroom is well ventilated by opening the windows at the end of each lesson wherever possible; if possible, keep windows open or partially open (as in the case of ‘vasistas’ or tilt and turn windows) during the entire lesson;
- make sure that no gatherings of students take place inside and outside the classroom, and if necessary, ask students to keep a distance of one metre between themselves and keep their face masks on;
- invite students to sit in the seat allocated to them at the time of booking via the UNIVR Lezioni app, and to respect the hygiene rules in place (i.e. wearing a face mask, maintaining social distancing measures and cleaning their hands on entering and leaving the classroom);
- be actively vigilant while at the University, even outside of class hours, and, where necessary, remind students to maintain social distancing by keeping at least one metre between themselves and wear face masks (e.g. in the corridors, common areas, study areas, toilets, etc.);
- if they intend to hold a teaching lab or practical, they should plan the activity by dividing the students so that they can always keep a distance of at least one metre between themselves. Once the lab practical has been completed, ensure that students clean the surfaces of any instruments used with wipes and neutral cleaning agents made available by the Department. At the end of each session, leave the windows open to air the room.
The written/oral exams may be administered in person or remotely at the lecturer’s discretion. However, students who wish to take the exam remotely must always be given the opportunity to do so. Moreover, in relation to students with disabilities, lecturers will be able to choose to hold office hours and exams either on site or remotely, based on the students’ needs.
In the case of on-site written exams, the number of participating students must not exceed the available seats in the classroom (about ½ of the normal room capacity), given some seats will be marked ‘out of use’.
In the case of on-site oral exams, these will have to be organised on the basis of a calendar and a schedule that ensures that the room capacity is respected on the basis of the available seats, and that the risks of gatherings are avoided. In any case, the lecturer must ensure that the classroom is well ventilated by opening windows at least twice a day where possible; if possible, windows should also be kept open or partially open (‘vasistas’ or tilt and turn windows) during the exams.
How to deal with suspected or confirmed Covid-19 cases
If during curricular activities (exams, graduation ceremonies, etc.) or while in the classroom a lecturer identifies a suspected Covid-19 case (i.e. a person with body temperature above 37.5°C, or showing Covid-19-like symptoms), they will need to accompany the student to the reception desk, so that the reception staff can check their body temperature. If the student showing Covid-19-like symptoms is in a classroom not supervised by a lecturer and adjacent to the main classroom, those who are present in that classroom are recommended that they should inform the lecturer in the main classroom. Where the body temperature is above 37.5°C, the staff at the reception desk will provide the student with a new surgical face mask and will isolate them in a dedicated room. Only those persons who are strictly necessary to provide assistance to the person may remain in the room, provided they wear surgical masks and, as far as possible, keep a distance of at least one metre from the person concerned.
It is necessary to ensure that the student can return home as soon as possible, inviting them to contact their family doctor, or GP or, in their absence, the USCA or the Department of Prevention, for the necessary clinical evaluation and a possible prescription to get a Covid-19 test. In addition, the student must promptly get in touch with the University’s Covid-19 Officer – RUC (tel. +39 045-8027683; mob. +39 348-7337833; email: debora.brocco@univr.it) who will notify SISP ULSS-9 Scaligera (tel. +39 045-8075511; prevenzione.aulss9@pecveneto.it). Please note that in this case the lecturer shall not suspend their on-site teaching activities: however, a suspension will be ordered in case the suspected Covid-19 student is confirmed as a Covid-19 case. In such a case, the lecturer will need to undertake preventive isolation, pending the outcome of the epidemiological investigation by the competent Health Authority.
- In order to allow for contact tracing, if the University or the University’s Covid-19 Officer (RUC) becomes aware, through the competent Health Authority, of a confirmed case of Covid-19 among students, lecturers, tutors or or technical-administrative staff (e.g. IT technicians) who were in the classroom on a given day, the relevant lecturer is expected to provide the University and, in particular, the University’s Covid-19 Officer – RUC (tel. +39 045-8027683; mob. +39 348-7337833; email: debora.brocco@univr.it) with information relating to attendance (booking list and assigned seats).
- In agreement with the Department of Prevention, the University Offices shall notify the individuals present in the classroom of the confirmed case, thus recommending that they self-isolate at home, stay alert about the Covid-19-like symptoms that they might show, and follow the instructions of the competent Health Authority. In fact, it is up to the competent Health Authority to carry out the epidemiological investigation and identify any measures to be implemented (e.g. quarantine, isolation, surveillance, etc.). During the preventive isolation phase and pending the outcome of the epidemiological investigation by the competent Health Authority, the teaching activity of the lecturer concerned shall only continue via distance learning. The resumption of on-site teaching activities is subject to the outcome of the epidemiological investigation and the recommendations of the Prevention Department. In any case, unless otherwise communicated and ordered by the competent Health Authority, it is advisable for students, lecturers and staff involved to resume on-site teaching activities only after a period of fifteen days. The same procedure shall apply to curricular activities (exams, graduation exams, etc.).
- If, as a result of the epidemiological investigation, the competent Health Authority places the lecturer in quarantine, their entire teaching activities, including teaching delivered via distance learning, will be suspended for the entire duration of the quarantine. It is up to the Chair of the Teaching Committee concerned to make up for the lost teaching activities, choosing the most appropriate methods, in accordance with the relevant educational objectives.
- Should a lecturer show Covid-19-like symptoms and a body temperature above 37.5° (to be checked at the reception desk) while at the University, they must quickly self-isolate and leave the workplace, promptly and responsibly notifying the Human Resources Office (presenze@ateneo.univr.it; tel. +39 045 802- 8666, 8433, 8556) and the University’s Covid-19 Officer – RUC (tel. +39 045-8027683; mob. +39 348-7337833; email: debora.brocco@univr.it), which will immediately notify the competent Health Authorities (SISP ULSS-9 Scaligera: tel. +39 045-8075511; email: prevenzione.aulss9@pecveneto.it), and be available to provide them with information to allow contact tracing.
Special cases – ‘workers at risk’ and teaching staff with children placed in quarantine, University’s governing bodies, opening hours for students
The lecturer who is required to carry out in-person teaching and collegiate activities, may request to carry them out remotely in the following two cases, and in any case after notifying the relevant Teaching Committee:
- if the lecturer is a ‘worker at risk’, or ‘fragile worker’ pursuant to INPS circular no. 13 of 4 September 2020, and following assessment in accordance with the relevant University’s regulations;
- if the lecturer has children under the age of 14 who were placed in quarantine by order of the competent Health Authority, provided that there is no other parent in the household who in any capacity carries out work from home, or does not perform any work activity. In this case, the person concerned must submit the documentation relating to the quarantine order of the child, together with a self-declaration on the existence of the other conditions.
- The meetings of the University’s governing bodies (including Teaching Committees, Departmental Council and any other collegiate bodies) may take place both on-site and in blended mode, depending on the availability of classrooms, based on the number of participants and compliance with social distancing requirements (keeping at least 1 metre apart from others). Teaching staff may participate remotely only if so arranged in advance for that specific meeting. In the case of in-person participation, face masks must always be kept on. At the end of the meeting, where possible, windows must be opened to air the room.
- Office hours for students can be carried out both remotely and in person, by appointment. It is up to the relevant lecturer to arrange their office hours so as to avoid gatherings of students outside their office or room. To that end, and if deemed necessary, where two or more lecturers are to hold office hours in adjacent offices or rooms, it is recommended that they make arrangements to ensure that office hours are held at different times. Teaching staff should make sure that their office or room is aired frequently, and that everyone wears a face covering, especially if it is not possible to keep a distance of 1 metre from other people. It is not necessary to clean surfaces after each meeting: cleaning will be carried out daily by the appointed cleaning services provider.
7 September 2020
Update from the University’s Covid-19 Task Force
During the meeting of the University’s Covid-19 Task Force of 31 August 2020 the following points were addressed:
- Admission Tests for degree programmes: procedures in place to ensure safety;
- University libraries opening times;
- start of the academic year 2020/2021;
- teaching staff office hours for students;
- use of study rooms and spaces;
- rules on access to University premises for scholarship and research grant holders, PhDs and students working on their dissertation;
- workers ‘at risk’ and special health surveillance.
Please find below the updates that may be of interest to the members of the University community:
• Libraries
From Monday 7 September the libraries Frinzi, Meneghetti, and Santa Marta will reopen with extended opening hours. Until further notice, University libraries will remain open to university users only (i.e. the University’s students, teaching staff and technical-administrative staff, and staff of the University Hospital of Verona - AOUI).
Please note that all public health measures remain in place. In order to access the library, users will need to book their place in advance via the App Affluences — our book borrowing services remain by reservation and appointment only.
From 7 September, the opening times at Departmental libraries will be extended as follows: from Monday to Friday, 9 am to 3 pm. Please note that Departmental libraries will remain open to University users only (i.e. the University’s students, teaching staff and technical-administrative staff, and staff of the University Hospital of Verona - AOUI). Scholarship and research grant holders, PhDs and students working on their dissertation will be allowed to access Departmental libraries, provided they have the authorisation form signed by their thesis or research Supervisor. The individuals concerned are advised that they should contact their Supervisor by email to make an appointment. Access is only allowed for the purpose of consulting library materials if these are not otherwise available.
• Academic Year 2020/2021 – Guidelines for teaching staff
Guidelines for teaching staff will soon be made available. These will include the following:
- classroom management and surveillance in common spaces;
- instructions to be followed in case there is a positive case;
- delivery of lectures and modules via distance learning.
• Office hours for students
Office hours for students can be carried out both remotely and in person, by appointment. It is up to the relevant lecturer to arrange their office hours so as to avoid gatherings of students outside their office or room. To that end, and if deemed necessary, where two or more lecturers are to hold office hours in adjacent offices or rooms, it is recommended that they make arrangements to ensure that office hours are held at different times.
Teaching staff should make sure that their office or room is aired frequently, and that everyone wears a face covering, especially if it is not possible to keep a distance of 1 metre from other people. It is not necessary to clean surfaces after each meeting: cleaning will be carried out daily by the appointed cleaning services provider.
• Study spaces
With the beginning of the new academic year, from 28 September 2020, study spaces at the University will reopen to students, and the following rules will apply:
- a limited number of seats will be made available to students, therefore, it will be forbidden to sit in some seats (these will be duly marked off), or move chairs;
- a social distance of at least 1 metre must be maintained from other individuals;
- everyone must wear face coverings (preferably surgical face masks, while masks with exhalation valve should not be used) when on site. These must cover nose and mouth;
- frequent hand hygiene is recommended;
- students are advised that they should use and download the Immuni app, which allows contact tracing in case of proximity with possible Covid-19 positive individuals;
- gatherings will not be permitted.
Please note that study spaces will be kept under surveillance: any transgressor will be asked to leave the University premises immediately.
• Rules on access to University premises for Scholarship and research grant holders, PhDs and students working on their dissertation
From 28 September 2020, Scholarship and research grant holders, PhDs, students working on their dissertation and staff involved in any capacity in research activities, may attend University premises without needing to have the authorisation form signed by their research Supervisor. Nevertheless, the research Supervisor will continue to be responsible for ensuring that social distancing measures and preventive measures in the relevant study spaces are always complied with.
Concerning access to Departmental libraries, Scholarship and research grant holders, PhDs and students working on their dissertation who wish to access their premises will still be required to provide the authorisation form signed by their thesis or research Supervisor.
• Rules on workers ‘at risk’ and special health surveillance
What was discussed during the meeting of 31 August 2020 on the return to work of workers at risk (‘fragile workers’) and special health surveillance, has been partially amended following the Circular of the Ministry of Health of 4 September 2020. Therefore, these issues will be fully addressed in the next Update, in the light of regulatory developments.
Teaching activities - updates on teaching modes for the a.y. 2020/2021
Dear Students,
The University is working hard to put in place all the necessary security measures to ensure that the new academic year can start smoothly and on time.
While confirming the University’s intention to get back to normal teaching activities as soon as the current health situation allows it, we hereby announce that the dual mode (on-site lectures and distance learning) will be maintained for the entire academic year, with the sole exception of practical activities that are part of those courses for which the physical presence of students is specifically required by ministerial regulations. This is to allow you to organise your schedule well in advance and in the best possible way. You will therefore be able to choose whether to attend lectures in person or via distance learning.
This decision was made with the aim of ensuring that the fundamental rights to study, health and safety are always upheld. From this point of view, it is in the University's interest to promote the flexibility and autonomy of individual courses of study, in order to ensure consistency in teaching and compliance with the educational objectives set out in the study plans.
With reference to the notice published on 11 June, I would like to inform you that despite the delicate social and health situation, the University is committed to finding external classrooms in order to enable Bachelor’s students, including those from their second year onwards, to attend lectures on site.
The lesson timetables, which are being defined and will soon be published, may therefore be subject to change in order to provide a better service.
The University will keep you informed of these developments.
THE RECTOR
Prof. Pier Francesco Nocini
September 2020 exam session
- Concerning written and oral exams, each responsible lecturer will be able to choose whether to administer the exam on site or remotely. However, students will be granted the opportunity to take the exam remotely if they wish so;
- graduation exams will only be held on site.
Please note that IT Support for remote exams must be booked in advance through the relevant Teaching and Student Services Unit, and in agreement with the IT Department.
NEW University Language Centre
Language tests during the Covid-19 emergency - updates
4 July 2020
The University of Verona working to resume in-person teaching activities from September
The University of Verona has succeeded in ensuring that teaching activities could continue without interruption despite the Covid-19 emergency. In-person graduations and exams have already resumed, and the start of the next academic year is already planned, with the aim of getting everyone back to classes safely.
The social distancing measures established to date by the Government require a reduced number of students per classroom, but the University’s structures and the Student Council are making every effort to reorganise classrooms and find new spaces, so as to guarantee students from all courses the opportunity to attend lectures on site at the University.
A new Prime Ministerial Decree (DPCM) is expected shortly as the current one will expire on 14 July. Presumably, the Ministry will provide new guidelines for the universities, as it has done so far, and we hope that these can improve the situation further in coming out of the emergency. Indeed, Minister Manfredi himself in these days has declared his willingness to resume in-person activities from September.
In light of the new ministerial guidelines, the University of Verona will proceed with their implementation in order to guarantee the best quality of teaching.
We therefore continue to work to resume in-person activities at the University from the beginning of the new academic year, while at the same time ensuring that students who cannot be physically present can continue to attend lectures remotely via distance learning.
22 June 2020
Update on the summer exam session
As an update of the document ‘Update of the Operative guidelines for ‘Phase 2’, from 18 June 2020’ issued by the University’s Covid-19 Task Force, please find below a clarification regarding In-person exams in the summer session:
- from the second exam round (appello) onwards of the same exam session (sessione), the responsible lecturers can choose whether to change the examination methods (from online to in-person exams) for oral and written exams (in the latter case, the same type of written exam must be maintained);
- in any event, students must be given the opportunity to take the exam remotely if they wish so;
- the times and dates originally set for the exam round in question must be maintained.
In addition, lecturers intending to change examination methods from online to in-person mode in July are advised that they should agree it in advance with the Chair of the relevant Teaching Committee, and then notify the decision to the relevant Teaching and Student Services Unit by Thursday 25 June 2020, so that the Unit can inform the technical services of the room and dates concerned in order to arrange for the cleaning procedures.
Prof. Federico Schena, Rector's Delegate for Teaching and Education
‘Phase two - Operative guidelines’ updates from 18 June 2020
In the meeting held on Wednesday 17 June 2020, the University’s Covid-19 task force has issued a new document which updates the ‘Phase two’ operative guidelines for the University of Verona, in relation to and in accordance with the provisions contained in the Prime Ministerial Decree (DPCM) of 11 June 2020 and the Regional Ordinance no. 59 of 13 June 2020.
Please find below the latest version of the Authorisation forms for students working on their dissertation, PhD students, and scholarship/research grant holders:
- Authorisation form for students
- Authorisation form for PhD students and scholarship/research grant holders
Teaching activities - updates on teaching modes for the a.y. 2020/2021
11 June 2020
In order to respond adequately to the continuing emergency situation, and pending specific ministerial provisions, the University, in order to meet the organisational needs of students, teaching staff and technical-administrative staff, has deemed it necessary to set out the methods for carrying out teaching activities for the academic year 2020/2021 according to the following principles:
- we recognise the importance of in-person teaching activities, where compatible with safety requirements;
- we ensure that all activities can also be accessed online and remotely, with the sole exception of activities for which national legislation requires the physical presence of participants;
- we ensure that activities are organised always taking into account the needs of people with disabilities and/or SLD - specific learning needs.
In order to implement these principles, in compliance with the current guidelines and compatibly with the available University’s structures, the activities of degree programmes and courses will be organised as follows:
- Master’s degree programmes: dual mode (i.e. both in person and remotely);
- Bachelor’s degree programmes: remotely, with the exception of the first year of study, in which activities will be offered in dual mode (in person and remotely) in a way that is compatible with the safety measures of physical distancing in place for ‘Phase three’;
- Single cycle/Combined Bachelor+Master’s degree programmes: dual mode (i.e. both in person and remotely), depending on the year of study, and based on what has been set out by each degree programme;
- PhD programmes, Postgraduate Specialisation programmes, Professional Master’s programmes, and postgraduate courses: dual mode (i.e. both in person and remotely); activities will be offered at times compatible with the priority activities of each course.
All the practical activities (practicals and laboratory activities) will be provided in a dual mode (i.e. both in person and remotely), according to organisational guidelines in line with the needs of each course.
It will be the responsibility of the University's bodies, Rector’s Delegates, Directorates and the Crisis Unit, specifically set up to tackle this emergency, to provide maximum support to the University’s Schools, Departments, Teaching Committees and Teaching and Student Services Units during the complex process of planning and organisation, necessary to implement these guidelines. These will be promptly updated where necessary due to changes in the situation, and/or legislative or regulatory requirements.
THE RECTOR
Prof. Pier Francesco Nocini
‘Phase two - Operative guidelines’ updates from 3 June 2020
In the meeting held on Friday 29 May 2020, the University’s Covid-19 task force has issued a new document which updates the ‘Phase two’ operative guidelines. (nota prot. 141666 del 30 aprile 2020).
Services for students will continue to be available in 'Phase two', as described below.
The University has ensured that all students can continue and complete their studies, take part in their graduation sessions, and take their Summer exams, online.
Guidelines for online exams are now available here.
For further information please go to: Online exams.
