Most of the University of Eastern Finland’s teaching will be offered online in the autumn semester 2020

Teaching at the University of Eastern Finland will continue to be organised online throughout the autumn semester 2020.  However, laboratory courses, field courses, internships deemed necessary, and other teaching that is impossible or unreasonably hard to organise online, can be offered as in-person teaching. In addition, in-person teaching can also be organised for new students in order to foster their commitment to their academic subject and to the academic community.

The Finnish Government’s restrictions on gatherings and other safety recommendations in effect at each time are followed in the organisation of teaching. From 1 June onwards, gatherings are limited to 50 persons, and this is applied to in-person teaching so that a maximum of 50 people, including the teacher, may be in the same room at a time, and with people keeping a safety distance of 1.5–2 metres.

Teaching is organised with health and safety in mind. The university’s staff will also be returning to the campuses gradually.

The faculties and the Language Centre will make their decisions on teaching, and inform students about these decisions, as follows:

• by 30 June regarding arrangements of teaching starting in August and September;
• by 7 August regarding arrangements of teaching starting in October, November and December; and
• The Open University will inform its own students.

We kindly ask you to note that the academic subjects will answer questions relating to teaching arrangements by informing all their students simultaneously of these arrangements as soon as they are confirmed; however, no later than by the dates indicated above. Students are encouraged to follow the university’s communication channels, including the study community of their major subject, the UEF Students group on Yammer as well as news published in Kamu and WebOodi.

New students

The academic subjects will receive and welcome new students, organise new student orientation for them, and possibly offer in-person teaching, while observing guidelines on safety. The parts of new student orientation that are common to all will be organised online.

Examinations

General exams and other exams will not be organised as classroom exams in the autumn semester. Facilities for electronic EXAM examinations will remain closed until 31 July, and they can only be opened by a separate decision of the dean. EXAM rooms will be opened starting on 1 August, and the university will provide separate instructions on how to use these facilities safely.

Student exchange and international Master’s degree programmes

In the autumn semester 2020, UEF will not be sending or receiving exchange students. The university’s international Master’s degree programmes are encouraged to offer their teaching online in the autumn semester 2020. An international Master’s degree programme may consider postponing the start of the programme, if students are unable to enter Finland. In addition, students admitted to international Master’s degree programmes have the right to defer the start of their studies by one year.

Library

The library’s online services and a limited pickup service of printed books, as well as the chance to return borrowed books will continue. For the time being, the service will only be open for UEF staff, students and contract customers. Up-to-date, detailed instructions can be found on the library’s website.

The Kuopio Campus Library will be renovated between 1 June and 31 August 2020. During this time, the library’s book collection will not be available for use, because the books will be put into storage for the duration of the renovation.

The Joensuu Campus Library will be renovated between 15 June and 7 August 2020. During this time, services will continue within the limits dictated by construction site restrictions.

Campus restaurants

The campus restaurants follow general national guidelines and sell take-away meals in the Carelia restaurant in Joensuu and in the Snellmania restaurant in Kuopio. From 1 June onwards, restaurant Kampus Bistro in Joensuu and the Tietoteknia restaurant in Kuopio will be selling take-away meals.

Sykettä university sports

Sykettä university sports will start organising outdoors events from 1 June onwards.

Other instructions relating to safety and hygiene:

Cleaning has been intensified and the university’s facilities are cleaned daily. Cleaning is carried out in accordance with the instructions issued by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, THL, and the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, TTL.