UvA to reopen buildings on July 1
The University of Amsterdam will reopen all buildings on 1 July. From 31 August, opening hours will be extended from 07.30 to 22.00.
While working from home remains the norm for the time being, steps are being taken to open the UvA. On 15 June, a handful of lectures and research courses will start for those courses that cannot be followed at a distance. First-year students and vulnerable students (for example students with disabilities) are to receive extra attention, a spokesperson at the UvA states. ‘The university is concerned about its freshmen, about the lack of direct contact in education and about progress in research.’
From 1 July, all buildings will re-open, and from 31 August, the official opening of the new academic year, opening hours will be extended from 07.30 to 10.00. Buildings will be accessible for research purposes from 09.00 to 18.00 on weekends.
Strict rules will remain in place. There will be a maximum capacity set for teaching rooms and workplaces and designated walking routes. The UvA expects to use only about 20 per cent of its total capacity. This in part to create distance, and to comply with government-stipulated time slots — in place to help manage the number of people using public transport at any one time. The time slot appointed to education is 11.00-15.00 and after 20.00. The UvA is pushing the ministry to extend or abolish the time slots.
At the end of September, the UvA will evaluate its new reality and, following government guidelines, will decide whether more education and research can take place on campuses.
