Dear Students, Teachers and Non-Teaching Staff,
Fortunately, to date, there are no confirmed cases of coronavirus infection at the University of Lisbon, which is good news.
However, after hearing many opinions, the Rector of the University of Lisbon has decided to take precautionary measures by suspending face-to-face classes and other activities that require students to be present on campus. The goal is to reduce the exposure of our community and contribute to contain the spread of the virus in the general population.
For this reason, face-to-face classes are suspended from Tuesday, March 10 until March 27. The suspension applies to all undergraduate, master's and doctoral classes at ISEG. There are also many services that will be closed, such as libraries, study areas, canteens and sports facilities. For more details, please read the Rector's message, which I have copied at the end. Given the circumstances, students are asked to avoid coming to ISEG and stay safe at home.
Tomorrow (Tuesday) we will send a new message to all students and teachers with more information about alternative methods of teaching and learning for the next furure. Please check your email regularly. We are doing the best we can, under the circumstances, to try to minimize the stress and disruption in our students' lives.
We ask our non-teaching staff to come to work as normal on Tuesday, March 10 so that we can outline a plan for the operation of our services for the rest of the month.
As always, I appeal to your best behavior and attitude - which means staying calm, being understanding, following the rules of the health authorities, and trying to stay healthy. ISEG students and our entire community are recognized for their exemplary behavior. We are being tested in difficult times - but we must remain strong and confident and contribute to the better times to come.
My warmest greetings,
Clara Raposo
Chair
Message from the Rector of the University of Lisbon
To the ULisboa community,
Considering the evolution of the situation regarding COVID-19, it was decided, with the agreement of the Presidents and Directors of the Schools of the University of Lisbon, gathered in the University Coordination Council, a set of measures to contain the spread of the virus, to be in force until next March 27th.
In this sense, the Schools will suspend face-to-face teaching activities, replacing them, whenever possible, by other teaching means, allowing the monitoring of suspended school activities through distance learning tools.
Libraries, study rooms, and the student cafeterias of the Social Services will also be suspended.
Physical and sporting activities, carried out in the University Stadium and Schools facilities, will be suspended, namely those taking place indoors, or maintained with restrictions.
Students housed in ULisboa's Residences who do not need to attend on-site activities in their respective Schools will be advised to return to their usual residences, keeping only the essential functioning to ensure support for exceptional cases.
The group activities developed in the museums of the University of Lisbon, and in its botanical gardens will also be suspended, while remaining open to the public in the case of individual visitors.
Telecommuting activities will be encouraged, whenever possible, in order to ensure the functioning of the University.
In order to protect the University community, travel for work or study is cancelled.
Self-isolation must be observed by all suspected cases, including those returning from risk areas.
We are aware of the impact that the measures now taken have on the whole community of the University of Lisbon, but, given the exceptional situation we are experiencing, we consider this to be the best decision.
These measures will be adjusted as needed and as the situation evolves.
University of Lisbon, March 9, 2020
The Rector
António Serra
