Jón Atli Benediktsson, rector of the University of Iceland sent the following announcement to students and staff today:
"Dear students and colleagues,
Teaching for the new semester is about to begin, along with other operations across all UI schools. We will endeavour to give you all the best possible welcome, in particular to support our new students as they get their bearings at the University of Iceland. In consideration of the current recommendations from the Chief Epidemiologist, it is clear that teaching at UI for the 2020 autumn semester will be conducted online. This means that all courses for the 2020 autumn semester will be organised with online teaching in mind.
In light of the situation regarding COVID-19, I would like to pass on the following information and I ask you all, dear students and colleagues, for your full cooperation.
• The University is open to you, but current public health rules apply at all times. At this time, no more than 100 people may gather in any one place and people must keep two metres apart or wear a face mask when this is not possible.
• We will be prioritising the needs of new students when it comes to on-campus learning but, in the main, teaching for this autumn semester will be online.
• Classrooms may be used for on-campus learning where it is possible to comply with the current restrictions, within the limits of the space that we have.
• We will do our utmost to ensure that all students at the University of Iceland are able to access some on-campus learning this autumn semester (e.g. discussion periods, practical and clinical teaching), where circumstances permit.
• Faculties and teaching staff will spend this week and the next preparing teaching plans in accordance with these restrictions and determining to what extent it will be possible to use rooms for on-campus learning.
The current restrictions from the Chief Epidemiologist apply until 13 August and I urge you to familiarise yourselves with all the details and to fully comply with the rules.
The University of Iceland will of course keep you informed of any changes to University operations, should the instructions from the Chief Epidemiologist change. Otherwise I refer to the message from last week.
The University of Iceland places the utmost priority on the wellbeing of our communities, both on campus and in wider society. We also aim to guarantee the quality of study programmes as far as we possibly can. We find ourselves in a difficult position, but with a united effort we will weather this storm as we have all others.
Jón Atli Benediktsson,
Rector"