Jón Atli Benediktsson, Rector of the University of Iceland, sent the following announcement to students and staff today (21 August 2020):
Dear students and staff at the University of Iceland,
Teaching for the new semester is now fully underway and it is extremely gratifying to see how willing everyone is to work together to ensure that this academic year is a success.
The COVID-19 pandemic will of course affect our work this autumn and the University of Iceland's main focus is on guaranteeing the safety and wellbeing of everyone – students and staff. All organisation and planning will therefore comply with the current recommendations from the Chief Epidemiologist and other authorities.
Steps that you can take as individuals, dear students and staff, such as hand washing, disinfection and physical distancing (at least 1 m) will make a vital contribution to preventing infection at the University of Iceland over the next weeks and months.
Online teaching will form the foundation of this autumn semester, although the University of Iceland will strive to offer on-campus learning wherever possible, in particular for new students, of whom we have rarely or never welcomed so many.
We are currently working on dividing University buildings into sections to avoid any more than 100 people sharing the same space – further details can be found on the University's COVID-19 website. The buildings to be divided into sections are:
- Askja
- Árnagarður
- University Centre
- Eirberg
- University Cinema
- Stakkahlíð
- VR II
In order for this strategy to be successful, people must take particular care to prevent infection when moving between sections. Corridors must be used solely for moving from room to room, with no stopping permitted.
Students will be permitted to eat in classrooms but it is very important to clean up after yourself and take any leftovers and rubbish away with you. Staff are encouraged to eat in their offices or in their own break rooms. Icelandic Student Services will be offering reusable lunchboxes at a special discount price.
Staff with underlying medical conditions or belonging to specific high risk groups are urged to consult with their managers regarding working arrangements and the potential to work from home.
The latest announcement on the University of Iceland COVID-19 website provides detailed information on general infection prevention, hygiene and physical distancing, restrictions on gatherings and separation of groups. I urge you all to familiarise yourselves with all the information and to cooperate with the instructions provided.
Dear students and staff at the University of Iceland, Please remember that the current situation is temporary, but with a united effort, we will ensure that our work can continue successfully, as well as safeguarding the quality of teaching and learning at the University of Iceland.
Have a good weekend.
Jón Atli Benediktsson, Rector