Dear Students,
As we prepare for the start of the academic year on October 17, 2021 and a return to normality on campus, I would like to bring to your attention the following things:
1. Campuses are operating according to the Green Pass. Every time you enter, you will be asked to show your Green Pass or a negative corona test whose expiration is determined by the Health Ministry (at present, a PCR test is valid for up to 72 hours and a rapid test, is valid for up to 24 hours).
2. Masks must be worn in closed spaces (buildings, classrooms, libraries, laboratories, etc.). It is especially important to wear masks in classrooms and teaching labs. The lecturer can remove their mask during the lectures if they so choose.
3. Teaching will take place in person in the classrooms unless otherwise announced. Some classes have been designated as online classes and others will be conducted in a hybrid fashion (primarily if there are not enough seats for all the students). All the information about courses and how they will be taught is available in the coursebook or via the departmental secretaries.
4. The lecturers are committed to your success, and it is their responsibility to help those who have justified reasons for not attending class (whether immune-suppressed with permission from the Dean of Students, quarantine, reserve duty, etc.) to make up the course material. Our recommendation to the Faculty is to record their lectures, but it is the decision of the lecturer whether to do so and how to share the recordings.
5. If the lecturer is forced to go into quarantine but can continue to teach, the course will move online for the period of the quarantine. The lecturer will inform you about the move to online teaching as well as the return to the classroom after quarantine ends.
6. If you have entered quarantine, it is important to notify the lecturer ASAP so they can help you. Quarantine represents a justified absence from attending classes or exams.
7. The course syllabus should include alternate testing and grading options to be implemented if we cannot conduct the examination period in person because of Health Ministry guidelines.
Beginning the school year in person is important not just to you, but for us, the Faculty, as well. We have learned that, while we can successfully conduct classes online, it is no substitute for the academic and intellectual life on campus, many aspects of which cannot be replicated in the virtual world. I look forward to seeing you soon on campus and hope you will make good use of your time, not just to gain knowledge but also for personal development and community service.
We ask that you take responsibility for your own health and the health of the whole community and if you are not feeling well, please refrain from coming to campus.
The University is obligated to uphold Health Ministry regulations and Corona restrictions; we will inform you of any changes should the need arise.
Wishing us all a stimulating, fruitful, successful, enjoyable, and regular academic year!
Prof. Chaim Hames
Rector
