The effect of coronavirus on teaching - Q&A

I feel ill. What should I do?

See instructions on the university website: Coronavirus situation at the University of Helsinki

A student in my course has coronavirus, what should I do?

1. If the health authority* contacts you to identify possible exposures and chains of infection in students, ask them to contact your faculty’s Head of Academic Affairs. Send the Head of Academic Affairs a list of the students registered on the course in question, including their contact details. You can get the required information from WebOodi, under My teaching. Download an excel file of the registered students with additional information, this way the students’ contact details are included on the list.
2. Contact the Head of Academic Affairs immediately to get further instructions. Please note that the identity of the infected student is confidential information, which cannot be disclosed to those exposed.
3. If the student contacts you about a positive test result before the authority, ask the student when he/she has participated in your contact teaching. Tell the student that the exposed students will be informed after discussing with the authority, but without disclosing the identity of the infected student. Inform the Head of Academic Affairs also in this case.
4. You should be prepared, if possible, to arrange alternative ways of completing the course for the students placed in quarantine. If the course has to be canceled, the decision will be made by the response center of your faculty.

At the moment, a student may be absent from teaching on his/her own notice. It is sufficient for students to report their illness to the teachers of their courses. The University does not require sick leave certificates of its students, and the Student Health Services (YTHS) does not typically issue them.

*the relevant authority is the unit responsible for epidemiological operations under the social services and healthcare division of the municipality.

Should attendance lists be collected for tracking purposes?

In case of possible coronavirus exposures, the chains of infection will be tracked mainly based on registration lists in WebOodi. Therefore separate attendance lists are not necessary. Please remind the students of your courses to register in WebOodi on time and cancel their registration if needed.

If for some exceptional reason collecting attendance lists is necessary, circulating the list among students should be avoided for data protection and hygiene reasons. The attendance lists should be destroyed three weeks after the course has ended.

How will activities at the University be organised until July 31, 2021?

No events or gatherings are to be arranged on University premises. This does not apply to necessary teaching and examination sessions permitted by the response centres. Small-group instruction and any necessary examinations will be made possible by opening facilities as requested by the relevant response centre. Even though the Regional State Administrative Service's restriction on group size does not apply to teaching, it is advisable to aim for the smallest group size possible.

Wearing a protective face mask is required on University premises, unless there are no other people present. 

More information on the use of teaching facilities can be found on the University website.

Examinarium examinations can be arranged according to this spring’s teaching programme, provided that group sizes are kept as small as possible. See more from the section Questions from students. 

Due to the restrictions on gatherings, public examinations of doctoral theses will until further notice be organised and planned to be held over remote connections. Public examinations cannot be held on site. In conjunction with online public examinations, only the doctoral candidate, the opponent, the custos and other members of the grading committee, if any, an IT support specialist and the immediate family of the doctoral candidate are permitted to be present on site.

On-site public examinations of theses may only be arranged at special permission by the relevant response centre. 

Read more about the guidelines for public examinations of doctoral theses.

Are there any in­struc­tions and de­cisions that are valid throughout the en­tire spring term 2021?

Safety guidelines must be observed: everyone is expected to practise social distancing and good hand hygiene, wear a face mask, and make sure that they do not enter the campuses when ill.

At­tend­ing teach­ing 

Compulsory class attendance does not apply to contact teaching, unless the completion method in question requires physical presence (such as laboratory courses, patient encounters, skills courses). Degree programmes will determine substituting procedures for such courses. 

Whenever possible, students in at-risk groups must be offered independent study alternatives. No verification is required from students for at-risk notifications.

Attendance in remote teaching sessions may be required as specified in the curriculum. 

What else should be taken into consideration when organising contact teaching and on-site exams? 

When making a decision on and organising contact teaching and on-site exams one should apart from the above mentioned take into consideration the following:   

• Instructions on the use of teaching facilities 
• The effect of social distancing on the number of available seats in the teaching facilities (e.g., staggered classes, allowing for space between people in rooms) 
• As far as possible the movement of students during the day from distance teaching to contact teaching 
• The protective face mask recommendation 
• Whenever possible, students in at-risk groups must be offered independent study alternatives. No verification is required from students for at-risk notifications.  

The method of teaching is mainly decided on before the enrolment for courses begin. In principle there are no changes made to teaching even though the coronavirus pandemic would ease up. If the coronavirus pandemic worsens, teaching will be organised according to stricter safety and security requirements. The distance and contact teaching is primarily organised according to the planned schedule. The teaching can be organised as blended learning e.g. a study module can have both contact and distance teaching. 

General instructions for teaching in the spring term

The teacher in charge of the course should take care of the students having the needed information before the enrolment begins and before the teaching begins.

More detailed instructions on how the teaching is organised is decided on by the faculty/study programme/unit in charge of the teaching. 

At the response centre's discretion, traineeships can be completed in accordance with the instructions of the host organisation. 

To enable compliance with social distancing rules, the use of independent learning facilities is restricted in terms of participant numbers. See the opening hours of the libraries, learning centres and exam facilities. 

Can attendance in teaching be required?   

The student must participate actively in teaching. In the curriculum of the study programme attendance can be defined compulsory, if it is pedagogically justified or teaching arrangements require it. Compulsory attendance can apply to a singular study module or its part.  

Compulsory class attendance does not apply to contact teaching, unless the completion method in question requires physical presence (such as laboratory courses, patient encounters, skills courses). Degree programmes will determine substituting procedures for such courses.    

Whenever possible, students in at-risk groups must be offered independent study alternatives. No verification is required from students for at-risk notifications.  

Attendance in remote teaching sessions may be required as specified in the curriculum.

The guidelines for planning teaching in autumn term 2021 are based on enabling safe contact instruction.  The planning of teaching to be provided in the autumn is progressing in such a way that, regardless of the coronavirus situation and vaccination coverage, contact instruction can be organised on campuses for groups of a limited size, taking safe social distancing into account. Lectures for large student groups will be held online. 

Information pertaining to the beginning of the new academic year will be provided on 13 August at the latest. The goal is to resume normal University operations on the campuses by employing any measures necessary in terms of health and safety.

• Teaching and examinations are planned so that spacing between individuals makes it possible to comply with the relevant social distancing rules.  
• The planning adheres to occupancy limits based on the safe distances determined for facilities in summer 2020 (1–2 m), available in an Excel sheet on Flamma and in the timetabling and facility booking system Optime (both require login with University credentials) as well as, in the case of teaching facilities in shared use, on the facility booking website.
• Contact instruction and examinations can be organised for groups of up to 50 students, taking into account the occupancy limits of the facilities and the valid safety guidelines. For compelling reasons, the response centres of faculties and other units providing teaching can increase the maximum number of students in groups.
• Small-group instruction is prioritised in contact instruction. As a rule, mass lectures are held remotely.   
• First-year students of bachelor’s and master’s programmes as well as second-year students of bachelor’s programmes are prioritised in contact instruction. The situation of international students will be assessed separately.  
• Whenever possible, degree programmes organise contact instruction periods according to a staggered schedule.  
• When organising events associated with the orientation period, all principles applicable to the organisation of teaching in the autumn term are observed, including giving priority to on-site meetings in small groups and organising larger events online.
• If all planned contact instruction cannot be safely organised, the relevant response centre will decide on the prioritisation of such instruction.  

According to current estimates, roughly one-third of courses to be organised can be implemented safely as contact instruction on University premises.

Attending teaching 

• Compulsory class attendance does not apply to contact teaching, unless the completion method in question requires physical presence (such as laboratory courses, patient encounters, skills courses). Degree programmes will determine substituting procedures for such courses. 
• Whenever possible, students in at-risk groups must be offered independent study alternatives. No verification is required from students for at-risk notifications.
• Attendance in remote teaching sessions may be required as specified in the curriculum. 

Instructions on the use of teaching facilities 

• Instructions on the use of teaching facilities 
• As far as possible the movement of students during the day from distance teaching to contact teaching 
• The protective face mask recommendation 
• The teaching can be organised as blended learning e.g. a study module can have both contact and distance teaching.
• In principle there are no changes made to teaching even though the coronavirus pandemic would ease up. If the coronavirus pandemic worsens, teaching will be organised according to stricter safety and security requirements. 

Public examinations of doctoral theses

Instructions on how to organise public examinations of doctoral these during the coronavirus situation can be found on the page Doctoral defences and coronavirus situation.

How can I arrange my teaching remotely?

Contact teaching and supervision at the University of Helsinki should be replaced by alternative methods, such as online teaching, home exams or written learning assignments. You are responsible for deciding which pedagogical solutions work best for your purposes and the course you’re teaching. Please inform the planning officer or specialist (koulutussuunnittelija) of your degree programme about the changes. Inform your students about the new arrangements through the course page (see user instructions).

If you decide to provide distance teaching, it is recommended to arrange it at home.

At the moment, distance teaching can also be offered from the appropriate facilities of the University, see further information on the page linked below. 

How to modify an existing course or exam into distance teaching

• practical instructions: facilities for online teaching, Moodle instructions etc.
• pedagogical tips for distance teaching

Instruction videos and streaming your lectures

• technical information for choosing and using different online teaching tools

If you need, for example, a camera or microphone, please contact helpdesk@helsinki.fi. With the permission of the relevant supervisor, new equipment can be requested from Helpdesk, which will procure it, but your unit will be responsible for the equipment costs. For this, you need the WBS code of the unit paying for the purchase.

Should I arrange thesis supervision and other guidance remotely?

Remote supervision and guidance is recommended. In some cases, for example with PSP tutoring new students, normal guidance with safety distances can be considered.

Should the examination results be published within one month also in the exceptional situation?

In the exceptional situation of the University, the results and grading of the examination and assignments must also be published no later than one month after the examination or the deadline for the assignment.

A student needs support in distant learning and well-being in this exceptional situation. Where do I direct the student?

You can direct the student to take a look at the Mental well-being instruction page, where we have listed diverse support services in this exceptional situation. The Study psychologists have gathered directions for distant learning in the Support for studies instruction page. In addition, the Guidance corner's Well-being Tuesdays' events offer support for studies and student well-being. See the Well-being Tuesdays' instruction page.

Students are asking about the status of student exchanges, where do I direct them?

Follow the Mobility Services information on the effect of the coronavirus on student exchanges. The information will be updated as the situation changes.

Can a student go do an Examinarium exam even though University facilities are closed?

Examinarium examinations can be arranged according to this spring’s teaching programme. In the exam rooms half of the computers are in use (max 8 computers per room). The porter will open the door to students when necessary. If the students has any questions related to examinations they can contact their own study programme. 

The City Centre campus' (Aleksandria) Examinarium spaces can be accessed by calling the porter. The instructions and phone numbers can be found in the entrance hall of the Kaisa House and the gate at the Fabianinkatu side. The Kumpula Examinarium space can be accessed normally and one can enter the space in Viikki by calling the porter, the instructions and number are available on the door.

If one has difficulties in entering the premises, the front doors of the University buildings have the porters' phone numbers.

The exam spaces have hand sanitizers and disinfectant towels. It is advisable to bring one's own mask to the exam. If needed, it is possible to get masks from the porter / from the exam space, depending on the campus.

Can I travel abroad for work purposes?

Travel abroad or in Finland must be limited to necessary travel only. In terms of travel restrictions, the guidelines set by the Finnish government are to be observed. Always check the current situation on the regions where travel restrictions apply before booking a trip and travelling.

If travelling to a restricted region is absolutely necessary, the quarantine guidelines also apply to working. Visiting the workplace is not allowed for 14 days after arriving in Finland. Taking a coronavirus test does not constitute an exemption from quarantine.

If you need to travel on a personal matter to a destination to which travel restrictions apply, agree in advance with your supervisor on telecommuting, a holiday or an unpaid leave of absence for the duration of your quarantine (14 days).

Employees and students affiliated with the Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa (HUS) must observe the instructions issued by HUS as well as the specifications provided by the Faculty of Medicine. The dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine will provide instructions for ensuring the operations of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

Email address for coronavirus-related questions

If you have any questions about measures to be taken at the University as a result of the coronavirus, please send an email to coronavirus@helsinki.fi. All email messages will be answered by specialists in human resources and occupational health, facility and cleaning services, conferences and events, IT services, and teaching and learning services.

Read more about the situation

• University of Helsinki website Helsinki.fi: Coronavirus situation at the University of Helsinki
• National Institute for Health and Welfare: Coronavirus COVID-19 – Latest updates
• The FSHS: Current information concerning the coronavirus (updated announcement)
• Decisions made by the Coronavirus Management Team can be found on Flamma (user is redirected to the Flamma service).

Further information can be obtained from

City Centre Campus

• Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Theology: Anu Holvikivi, head of academic affairs, phone 02941 23351
• Faculty of Educational Sciences: Virpi Kiljunen, head of academic affairs, phone 02941 28013 
• Faculty of Law and Language Centre: Johanna Harju, head of academic affairs, phone 02941 24038
• Faculty of Social Sciences: Mikko Vanhanen, head of academic affairs, phone 02941 24806

Kumpula Campus: Anne Palo-Kauppi, head of academic affairs, phone 02941 50061

Meilahti Campus: Terhi Kemilä, head of academic affairs, phone 02941 26627

Viikki Campus:

• Maika Strömberg, head of academic affairs, phone 02941 58021
• Pia Saarinen, head of academic affairs, phone 02941 50601

International Exchange Services: Minna Koutaniemi, head of unit, phone 02941 22939

Admission services: Sini Saarenheimo, head of unit, phone 02941 22219

Open University: Sanna Saari-Salomeri, education specialist, phone 20941 02947