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This is how Uniarts Helsinki will gradually lift some of its coronavirus-related restrictions

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Guidelines and joint principles. Updated on 18 June 2020 at 9.45.

The reopening of on-campus activities will take place in three stages. In May, the currently valid guidelines are in force, which means that most university operations continue remotely. As for the summer (1 June–9 August), on-campus operations will be reopened to a limited extent in accordance with joint principles. The unit-specific instructions are currently being prepared, and they will be published by the end of May. Decisions concerning the autumn term (10 August–) will be made by 19 June.

Joint principles concerning studies, teaching and other work taking place in the university facilities between 1 June and 9 August 2020

  1. When it comes to teaching, the priority is given to work that contributes to students’ graduation within the year 2020, work that cannot be carried out outside of the university facilities, and work that cannot be delayed until the autumn term. This work may entail teaching and guidance related to students’ thesis projects.
  2. When it comes to students’ independent work, starting from 1 June 2020, the priority is given to activities that contribute to graduation within the year 2020, work that cannot be carried out outside of the university facilities, and work that cannot be delayed until the autumn term. For example, these activities may include
    a. practising with an instrument for proficiency demonstrations at the Sibelius Academy, if practising outside of the university facilities is not possible
    b. artistic work of Academy of Fine Arts students in studios
    c. independent practice of Theatre Academy students.
  3. As for research activities, the priority is given to work that cannot be carried out outside of the university facilities and work that cannot be delayed until the autumn term.
  4. When it comes to preparations for artistic activities taking place in the autumn, the priority is given to work that contributes to students’ graduation within the year 2020, work that cannot be carried out outside of the university facilities, and work that cannot be delayed until the autumn term.
  5. As for work that is not related to teaching, the priority is given to activities that are critical in terms of the continuity of the university’s operations or that support students’ graduation within the year 2020.

To obtain a permission to use the university facilities

  • Sibelius-Academy
  • Theatre Academy
  • Academy of Fine Arts
  • Staff members who work in the Shared Services and whose work station is at the Rector’s Office or at Vilho (IT team’s location) can ask for the permission from their supervisor. Decisions on the use of facilities are made by Vice Rector Lauri Väkevä. Staff members who work in the Shared Services and whose work station is in an academy’s facilities follow the academy-specific guidelines.

Safety measures concerning the use of Uniarts Helsinki facilities

Uniarts Helsinki’s coronavirus-related guidelines as of 10 August

Use of facilities

Starting from 10 August, the university will begin reopening its facilities for studies, teaching and other work in accordance with jointly agreed-upon principles.

The number of students and staff using the facilities is monitored, and if necessary, there will be some restrictions.

Nobody is allowed to come to the university when sick. If you have a fever, symptoms of a flu, stomach symptoms or other coronavirus-related symptoms, you cannot come to the university. 

When it comes to all operations, the university will prepare for possible sudden changes in the coronavirus situation during the academic year. If changes occur, we will have to adapt to the situation on short notice and update our coronavirus guidelines.

Studies

Students can study in the university facilities as of 10 August as long as they follow the safety guidelines.

The aim is to offer students who belong to high-risk groups the possibility to complete studies remotely if it is possible. The decision on these kinds of arrangements is made by the head of the unit in charge of organising teaching (dean or the academic director of the Open Campus) or a person authorised by the head of the unit.

The orientation period that is offered for new students is arranged partially through face-to-face meetings in small groups.

When it comes to studies, the university will prepare for possible sudden changes in the coronavirus situation during the academic year, which may cause updates to the coronavirus guidelines.

Teaching

Teaching will be offered partially remotely starting from 10 August. Remote teaching will occur mostly on courses or parts of courses where remote arrangements do not considerably jeopardise students’ possibilities to achieve the learning objectives. Teaching that is impossible or unreasonably difficult to organise remotely with the learning objectives in mind will be arranged on campus.

Teachers will be ensured the possibility to teach remotely in situations where this is possible when considering the proper management of the job duties in question. Supervisors consider the learning objectives, nature of the job and safety guidelines and decide whether remote teaching is possible.

Contact teaching must be arranged in accordance with the safety guidelines. Keeping a 1 to 2-metre distance is not required in contact teaching, if it is not possible to achieve the learning outcomes when maintaining the distance and if the teaching cannot be delayed until a later date. The decision on deviating from the safety guidelines is made by the head of the unit in charge of organising teaching or a person authorised by the head of the unit.

The more detailed instructions for teaching arrangements are made by the units in charge of organising teaching (academies, Open Campus). The heads of the units in charge of organising teaching (deans, academic director of the Open Campus) or persons authorised by the heads of the units are responsible for making sure that the instructions are followed.

The unit in charge of organising teaching must have information on all people who use the campus facilities for teaching.

When it comes to teaching, the university will prepare for possible sudden changes in the coronavirus situation during the academic year, which may cause updates to the coronavirus guidelines.

Other work

Other work will continue partially remotely starting from 10 August. The recommendation is that personnel working in the University Services has the possibility to work remotely some days of the week when this is possible considering the proper management of job duties.

If an employee is not able to work in the university facilities, the work is performed completely remotely. Supervisors consider the nature of the job and the university’s guidelines and decide whether remote work is possible. Teams are encouraged to discuss work arrangements, duties and objectives regarding remote work so that a smooth and well-planned management of job duties could be possible also if the coronavirus situation changes. 

When an employee works remotely, their duties may temporarily differ from their usual job duties. Employees discuss changes to the job duties with their supervisors. If it is not possible to perform the work remotely, and there are no alternative work duties that can be assigned, the HR team should be contacted concerning the matter.

Additional decisions concerning support for remote work (including ergonomics-related matters) will be made in August based on the feedback given to the university.

Artistic activities

Artistic activities are allowed in the university facilities starting from 10 August. When it comes to artistic activities, the university follows all regulations, policies and instructions issued by the authorities. Rules on keeping a safe distance to others are followed in all artistic events. The size of the space and the number of everyone in the space are taken into consideration when evaluating the safety of the event.

Research

Research will be carried out partially remotely starting from 10 August. Research personnel will be ensured the possibility to work in the university facilities in situations where this is necessary when considering the proper management of the job duties in question. Supervisors consider the nature of the job and the university’s guidelines when making decisions on remote work.

It is recommended that research conferences and symposiums are organised remotely. Public defences of doctoral dissertations and other thesis examinations can be arranged remotely or on campus, as long as the safety regulations are followed.

Libraries

The library will be open between 10 and 30 August 2020 in Helsinki and between 13 and 30 August 2020 in Kuopio. The self-service hours will be in use during the opening hours of the facilities, and customer service will be available Monday through Friday between noon and 15:00 in all library locations.

Visits, exchanges and travels

We follow the instructions issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and encourage everyone to avoid trips abroad. We ask employees to discuss whether a trip abroad is necessary with their supervisor. A 14-day self-isolation is recommended for all employees and students who come to Finland from countries that are subject to internal or external border control. Read more about travelling on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

When inviting international guests to the university and planning visits to other countries, it is important to evaluate whether the visit is necessary and organise only visits that are critical for the university’s operations. Those who invite international guests must inform their guests on the national travel policies.

Uniarts Helsinki will welcome and send out exchange students from and to other universities starting from 10 August. The exchange agreements are conditional, and applicants are informed on possible restrictions concerning travel and start of studies due to the coronavirus situation. The decisions on exchanges are made by the academy that is either sending out or receiving students.

Preparedness for changes

Uniarts Helsinki prepares for possible changes in the coronavirus situation by maintaining its preparedness to switch over to exclusively remote studies and work during the academic year. If necessary, the rector may call upon the university’s preparedness team to support decision-making in related matters.

Preparedness team  

  • In accordance with its preparedness plan, Uniarts Helsinki has a preparedness team led by Rector Jari Perkiömäki.   
  • To keep the university updated on matters involving the coronavirus, its members also include Vice Rector Lauri Väkevä, Director of Communications and External Relations Eveliina Olsson, Senior Head of Academic Affairs Sanna Kotajärvi-Söderholm, Senior Facilities Manager Antti Halm, Service and Personnel Manager Mikael Vänttinen and Vice Rector Jaana Erkkilä-Hill.
  • The secretary of the team is Occupational Health and Safety Manager Jyri Pulkkinen, who can also give further information on how to prepare for the coronavirus outbreak: jyri.pulkkinen@uniarts.fi, 050-5722058  

The situation in Finland  

  • The situation in Finland is monitored and assessed by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare THL, and the latest information can be read on the THL website.   

What to do if you suspect that you have been infected   

  • The symptoms mentioned on the THL website include coughing, sore throat, fever, shortness of breath, muscle pain and headache. The majority of people who are infected have only mild symptoms. If your symptoms are mild and you don’t belong to a high-risk group, rest and stay home until you no longer have symptoms. If your symptoms get worse or don’t go away, you should contact a health centre online or by telephone:
    • Mehiläinen’s instructions on the virus can be found on their website. A coronavirus test is taken if a doctor at the Digital Clinic or at a respiratory infection clinic so decides based on the patient’s symptoms that could match an infection caused by covid-19.
    • The City of Helsinki offers guidance for the residents of Helsinki concerning the coronavirus: 09 310 10024. The phone service is open Monday through Friday 7:00-20:00. During other times, contact tel. 116 117. You can assess your symptoms using the Omaolo.fi online service.
  • The university personnel may also contact Mehiläinen’s Digital Clinic or phone service:   
  • Students may contact the FSHS Self online service or book an appointment by telephone:   

Useful links