Work Newsletter n°36: Intake and resumption of in-person teaching activities

Teleworking and on-site work

This fall 2021 academic intake has reintroduced in-person teaching activities on the Dorigny campus.

Teleworking is still recommended when possible. However, it should not interfere with the functioning of the unit and the coordination of its activities.

When working on site, sanitary measures must be respected:

• Mandatory wearing of a mask when moving around the buildings
• Once seated at the workstation, the mask can be removed if the distance of 1.5 meters is respected between each person
• Disinfection or regular hand washing
• Regular ventilation of the premises

Some specific rules for buildings under the responsibility of the CHUV or EPFL apply.

Masks

Masks are required for all movements in common areas inside buildings, such as cafeterias, corridors and auditoria. This also applies in queues.

Masks must be worn at all times in auditoriums and classrooms as required by the authorities. The teacher and speaker is allowed to remove the mask when giving a lecture.

UNIL facilities are set up in accordance with sanitary regulations.

Protection plan for doctoral related activities

Research activities

When carrying out research activities necessary for the realization of their thesis, doctoral students can claim the status of staff. They can access their workplace and the laboratory in which they carry out their research, without producing a COVID certificate or attestation, while respecting the health rules and the protocol in force for workplaces at UNIL (see: unil.ch/coronavirus/work).

Private and public thesis defense

The private defense of a thesis is considered as a professional meeting; it is not subject to the production of a COVID certificate; the sanitary rules on the workplace at UNIL apply.

The public defense of a thesis is considered as a public event and must meet the requirements for such events at UNIL.

Education

The protection plan for bachelor's and master's level courses in order to respect the sanitary measures prescribed at the federal and cantonal levels in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic also applies to doctoral students.

See the "Protection and organization plan for Bachelor, Master and Doctorate levels during the fall 2021-2022 semester" (in French).

The Graduate Campus or your faculty office or doctoral school remain at your disposal by phone or online (on all the usual platforms) to advise you, answer your questions, or simply listen and support you.

Organization of professional, research or association events

Event organizers are requested to refer to the "Protocol for the application of the COVID-19 - UNIL Health Protection Plan in the context of events hosted on the premises of UNIL-Dorigny" (in French) approved on September 17, 2021.  This concerns in particular professional meetings, events at UNIL and sports activities.

Access to university libraries

For the Unithèque and Internef sites on the Dorigny campus and the University Library of Medicine on the CHUV site:

• With the exception of the lending desks, where access is guaranteed without a COVID certificate, the presentation of a COVID certificate and an identity card is mandatory;
• For students, the access certificate obtained from the UNIL test centers (info on the "Update" page under the heading "Tests and access certificates") is also valid with an ID only.

Other sites:

• All the information here.
• Check the schedule page of the BCUL site you want to visit.

Distance learning and extended free tests

The Rectorate of our university has taken the decision to extend, until the end of the fall semester, the measures intended to allow students who are not in possession of a COVID certificate to follow their studies.

It is therefore expected that a broadcast and/or recording of the courses will be maintained throughout the semester in order to allow for synchronous and/or asynchronous distance learning.

UNIL also offers, until the end of the fall semester, the possibility for students who have not been vaccinated to benefit from a free PCR test on the basis of which a UNIL certificate will be issued, in accordance with the decisions of the Vaud State Council. More information on the "Update" page under the heading "Tests and access certificates".

COVID certificate

For UNIL employees, the COVID certificate is required to enter the sports facilities and the catering services.

Some specific rules for buildings under the responsibility of the CHUV or EPFL apply.

How to obtain the COVID certificate?

Useful information:

• Swiss government website:
  • General information on the COVID certificate
  • For people who have been vaccinated abroad
• Website of the State of Vaud

Vaccination

Where can I get vaccinated? More information on the State of Vaud website.

The Rectorate of UNIL reminds that we have safe and effective vaccines. It considers that this is the best way to protect oneself from COVID-19, to protect others and to continue university activities in as normal conditions as possible. For this reason, she urges all members of the community to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Vaccinated persons, even when they have received two doses of the vaccine, are still required to respect the sanitary measures in effect and to apply barrier measures at all times.

For employees, when the vaccination takes place during working hours, the resulting absence is considered a medical visit.

For any questions related to tests, vaccination or the COVID certificate in the Canton of Vaud, please contact the cantonal physician's hotline: 058 715 11 00 or covid.certificats@vd.ch.

Services available at the Vortex building

Since the beginning of the academic year, life has resumed on campus. In particular at the Vortex building on the Dorigny campus, where new services are now available to you. You will find a restaurant, a bakery, a grocery store, a kiosk and a hair salon and barber shop. Don't hesitate to come and visit!

Many other businesses are also available on the Dorigny campus.