Coronavirus update: Higher education is reopening!

The Executive Board is very pleased with the cabinet's decision that higher education can reopen and we no longer have to take into account a distance of 1,5 meters. We've all been looking forward to that. After a year and a half of mainly studying and working online, we are ready to see and speak to each other again. But what will Saxion be like once it reopens? This update will tell you all about it.

Education will be a combination of classes on location and online classes

We will not be completely returning to pre-Covid education. Many students and lecturers have indicated that they would like some activities, such as contact with study career counsellors or lectures, to remain online. In short: an educational mixture, whereby at least part of the classes are online. If you are taking an international degree programme then you will in some cases still be having classes online, as many of your fellow students will still be abroad.

If you come to campus for an educational activity, we strive for this to be for at least 4 hours. These activities can be scheduled or not. It won’t always work, but we also strive for as much teaching hours on a single day instead of spread out over a week, and will draw up a timetable that offers you the greatest possible regularity for the duration of the term. We try to let you switch as little as possible between online education and classes or lectures given on campus on the same day. The timetable for term 1 will be published by 25 August at the latest.

How will things be in the buildings?

We follow the basic scenario of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. This means that:

•  You will no longer be required to maintain a distance of 1.5 metres. As this distancing rule stops applying only on 30 August, we will still apply this rule during the exam week from 23 to 27 August. The definitive exam schedule, including classrooms, will be published on Thursday 19 August. 
• You only have to wear a face mask when you move through the communal areas of the building, and no longer need to wear one in the classrooms. So remember to bring a face mask with you!
• You will be required to follow walking routes in the building.
•  A maximum lecture hall capacity of 75 persons will apply during the new academic year.

All Saxion buildings are equipped with a ‘healthy’ mechanic ventilation system that draws fresh air into the building from outside and expels the ‘used’ air. We do recommend opening a window every now and then. All areas where educational activities take place as well as all workspaces are delivered hygienically cleaned at 8 AM. The sanitary facilities will be subjected to an additional round of cleaning, and we will continue to pay additional attention to the cleanliness of all ‘touchpoints’ (bannisters, lift buttons, etc.). The restaurants, Bakery’s and cappuccino bar will be open again. Orders can be placed at the Bakery through the app and picked up. The AH To Go intends to reopen its doors this autumn. 

Keep testing yourself  

We ask you to continue self-testing for COVID-19 before coming to Saxion. The cabinet advises to do this twice a week. By doing a self-test you help us keep everyone safe in our Saxion-buildings. That’s why we think it’s important that you can easily access COVID-19 self-tests. The use of self-tests is voluntary. If you have any symptoms that resemble those of COVID-19, stay at home and make an appointment with the GGD (Municipal Health Services) for a test. Self-testing does not replace a GGD test. 

Vaccinations

Vaccinations are helping to make sure universities are safe spaces. That’s why we encourage you to get vaccinated if you haven’t already. You can also get vaccinated without an appointment. If you prefer to make an appointment, you can do so via www.planjeprik.nl or by calling the GGD (Municipal Health Services). 

Changes to introduction 

The introduction for first-year students will take place from Tuesday 24 to Thursday 26 August inclusive. As we still need to follow the 1.5-metre distancing rule, most of the introduction activities will be online. For more information, please visit the introduction website.