Agata Sałamaj: What about the timetables? When will they be available? At which faculties are they already prepared?

Rector: Responsibility for making schedules lays within faculties and institutes. In most of them, they are already available, if not the timetables themselves then at least the types and modes of classes. This is a bit more complicated as there is still an ongoing recruitment process at some faculties, thus it is not possible to assess the number of groups for some programmes, what inhibits the whole process of making the schedule. I hope that we will have all the schedules by the end of the next week.

AS: The plans are constructed in such a way that some parts of the courses are remote and some parts are mixed, i.e. in a hybrid form. But, when constructing the schedules, was it taken into account that students should not have both hybrid and remote classes in one day?

Rector: That was our recommendation and the plans I have seen did not have mixed classes in one day. If such a situation appears, please contact the Education Department (Dział Nauczania) and it will be corrected accordingly.

AS: Students ask about the reasons for the fact that, some programmes consist of almost solely remote classes and some of almost solely face-to-face classes, and some programmes are scheduled fifty-fifty.

Rector: It all depends on the character of disciplines and programmes. It would be difficult to have only online classes in the experimental programmes that require doing research and experiments. Some other programmes that do not require experiments can be conducted remotely, although I am not the proponent of such methods. Teaching at the university is not an online course. Students are not just given a piece of knowledge to learn by heart. They are supposed to also improve their soft skills  and develop themselves holistically, something that is achieved through personal contact with other students and teachers. […]

AS: Some people fear that, at some point, the University will fully convert to online teaching.

Rector: For the time being, there is nothing to suggest that our society and economy are ready for the total closure. […]

AS: What about the PE classes? Some people will have to drive even 700km just to take them. Is there any chance for an alternative?

Rector: We are currently discussing this matter and working od devising a decision whether, for example, a gym membership with proven certain number of training sessions will be enough. First and foremost, physical education is supposed to give pleasure.

AS: Question about safety measures in the university buildings: what do students need know when they come to the classes?

Rector: In the buildings, there will be standing thermometers and hand sanitisers. Each person entering a building should measure their temperature, sanitise their hands and put on mask.

AS: We know that there is an absence limit. What then?

Rector: I believe that our professors are rational people and when one writes them that they have fever, they will be understanding. […] We need to remember, however, that illness does not free us from achieving the required results from education. Therefore, students will have to catch up on it anyway. So, when you notice any symptoms, notify your lecturer and it automatically causes that your absence is justified. Then, you two should discuss the way of compensating for this absence.

AS: In some exceptional instances, is it possible for students to do the face-to-face classes remotely?

Rector: It all depends on the type of classes. If we are talking about the conversational workshops or seminar, probably yes. When it comes to the laboratories, we cannot expect to get the permission to grow bacteria online. In each case, students should consult their issue with a particular lecturer.

AS: Which online platforms does the University use for online teaching?

Rector: The teaching will be conducted mostly with the use of Microsoft Teams.

AS: Does dividing semester into weeks A and B mean that in the week A, all the classes will be conducted fully online without exception?

Rector: It depends on the schedule. Please, trust those who made these plans. If the hybrid classes are divided into blocks, it is logical to assume that one block means an online week and one block a face-to-face week.

AS: Why are there some students who do not have any face-to-face classes at all?

Rector: It should not be like that. A certain amount of autonomy lays within the faculties but we will be carefully monitoring the quality of teaching in these cases. […]

AS: Are schedules unchangeable or is there a chance they might change?

Rector: They are unchangeable. There would need to be another lockdown for us to convert to fully remote teaching. On the other hand, I do not see chances to come back to traditional lectures.

AS: What about the matriculation?

Rector: There will be chosen representatives for the matriculation who will take part in the event. The rest of the students will have a chance to participate online. They will also be sent a statute that they will have to click in order to be matriculated. […]

AS: If the classes are conducted online, does it mean that the exam will also be online?

Rector: You should ask about it your lecturers. They are obliged to inform students about the assessment conditions within the two first weeks.

AS: Do students and teachers need to wear masks during the lectures?

Rector: On the one hand, we will take all the necessary protective measures that will guarantee safety and it would be easiest to say that everyone should wear a mask. On the other hand, however, we know it is not that simple. It is a different thing to just sit and listen and different to lecture or take part in a discussion. […] If a dean decides that a lecture room meets certain requirements, if students follow safety measurements such as keeping the distance, then he or she may allow taking masks off in that room.

AS: Since most of the lectures will be conducted online, will the tuition fee be lowered?

Rector: At that point, I do not see the possibility of such a move. That is because 85% of our costs go to the salaries of the lecturers. And they are not lowered. Quite the opposite – due to the form of the studies – in smaller groups, they have risen. […]

AS: If a student does not wear mask, can lecturer ask him or her to leave the room?

Rector: We consulted this matter with our lawyers and it was concluded that we are not allowed to do that. We can ask to put the mask on, but that is all.

AS: Students who study two programmes often have lectures scheduled at the same time. What then?

Rector: When such a situation happens, you should contact your teachers and sort it out with them. Studying two programmes simultaneously is not easy and it requires from students developing the ability to reach a consensus. But keep in mind that the structure of our programmes does not assume that students will be studying a different programme at the same time. If that was the case, we would have half-programmes, not programmes.

AS: Is there any chance that some classes that are supposed to be online, will change to traditional, face-to-face classes during the semester?

Rector: It all depends on the directors of institutes and dean’s offices. Such decisions should be made within a particular institute after discussion with students and their teachers.

AS: When can students expect the vaccination that they have applied for?

Rector: As soon as the vaccine is released by the government.

AS: Will lectures be recorded? Certain people have too little time between the end of an online lecture and the beginning of face-to-face classes to be on time.

Rector: There are no regulations that would regulate these issues. Some lecturers and students might not be in favour of that solution as they do not wish to record and publicise their image. We cannot force anybody to do that because everyone has the right to protect their image.

AS: Is it allowed for student research groups to organise on-site conferences?

Rector: As it was stated in my regulation from 3rd September, organising face-to-face scientific meetings is possible under the condition that all the necessary safety measures are taken.

AS: What will the teaching in the Doctoral School look like?

Rector: It is a good question. I will try to challenge people responsible for that to provide us with complete information by the end of the next week.

AS: Will the research groups function as usual?

Rector: Absolutely, but keeping in mind that we are living in a pandemic reality and we have to take all the safety measures, such as wearing masks and keeping distance.

Rector: I would like to thank all our students for being with us. I admit that the last semester was a great challenge. Not because of technology-related problems but because we had do devise a plan of conducting high-quality lectures and workshops without contact with students. And we have different experience but from my point of view, we need discussion and contact. Without students, our University does not function. I warmly invite you to be with us. Stay positive!