Answer: Teaching and examinations that are normally campus-based will instead be net-based and “blended” this autumn 2021.

From study period 2 (early November), unless stated otherwise:Returning to the forms of teaching stated in the course and programme syllabi is encouraged: that is to say, teaching on campus can resume for all courses and programmes. It will be possible to study English taught degree programmes online during the entire autumn semester. 
The university recommends blended learning as the form of instruction, and teachers should plan accordingly. This will allow students to take part in their courses even if they develop covid-19 symptoms and have to stay at home.

For both undergraduate (first cycle) and Master’s programmes (second cycle) taught in English, classes can be held on-campus. However, to limit the number of students on campus, a blended approach – i.e. both online and campus teaching – is preferable.

The Programme Coordinator and the Examiner currently have extra authority to diverge from the formal programme syllabus and course syllabus and, in consultation with the Head of School (akademichef), to make decisions on changes to forms of examination and forms of study for a programme/course.
Read more about changing forms of examination/study (Staff Pages/Du&ja. In Swedish.)

When possible and the course allows for it, the recommendation is that students study from home.

Read more about plans to return to the workplace and teaching on campus (Staff Pages/Du&ja)

Answer: The Vice-Chancellor has made the decision that changes may be made to forms of education and/or examination formats. The Programme Coordinator (Programansvarig) and the Examiner (Examinator) have temporary permission to diverge from official programme syllabi and course syllabi in consultation with the Head of School (Akademichef). They can decide on changed forms of education and examination formats for course(s)/programme(s).

You can find information about procedures under the heading Nyheter on Du&ja "Möjlighet att ändra utbildning- och/eller examinationsform". Administrative Assistants (Akademisekreterare) also have this information. Course Coordinators and teachers can contact the Support Café for assistance with the transition: samtal.du.se. Evening hours remain in place: du-se.zoom.us/my/supportcafe.

Advice for online teaching can be found on the Undervisningsstöd webpage.

Answer: We continue to follow The Public Health Agency of Swedens recommendations.

Face masks should be offered to the students during certain labs, other practical-based course components and during examination. You are responsible of picking up the face masks the Property and Facilities Management Office.

Answer: Yes, our campus and the library is open. If you visit our campus and the library – remember to keep your distance from others.

Please contact the library primarily by phone (Borlänge: 023 - 77 81 90, Falun: 023 - 77 81 80) or email bibinfo@du.se. 

Current information from the University Library

Answer: Dalarna University has taken a number of measures to maintain social distancing. An example of this is that teaching will now mainly be online.

Do not rearrange the classroom furniture: We must keep our distance
Adjusted classrooms due to covid-19 (Information in Swedish)

• You will see signs and floor markings on campus reminding you to maintain distance.
• You can find hand sanitiser in a number of places – for example, at the entrances to each campus.
• Dalarna University will determine how many students are allowed in a lecture hall or examination room to ensure that a safe distance can be maintained to avoid infection. Also in consideration will be whether students can enter and leave the hall/room safely.  Some seating has been marked as not in use: it is important that any signs or markings remain in place. In rooms with movable desks and chairs, these have been placed at a greater distance from each other. It is important that the furniture is not moved in these rooms.
• In examination rooms, we have installed plexiglass at the desks where students hand in their examinations, show their ID, etc.
• We have installed plexiglass at the reception desks of each campus.
• We continue to ensure that extra cleaning services continue.

Answer:

• Up to and including September 28, 2021: work from home temporarily
  The university has followed and continues to follow government recommendations for public organisations to work by distance. Staff will continue working from home up to and including September 15, unless stated otherwise. This is an extension of the August 31 date that the university has previously communicated.
• September 29, 2021: return to the workplace
  Your employment contract states your place of work, and it is this that will apply.​ Your manager is responsible for ensuring your safe return to work and that it is in accordance with the needs of both you and the organisation. If you have covid-19 symptoms, you must work from home temporarily.

It is important, just as before, that staff discuss this with their immediate manager. 

The Public Health Agency of Sweden

Answer: The manager of a department or unit or group must take into consideration how work is organised and how it needs to be conducted. It is your immediate manager who decides whether work can be completed from home or from the workplace, full-time or part-time. 
 
What this means is that decisions may not be the same since things differ within the university, and what is more, the needs of the individual person may also differ. 

Answer: Your employer has responsibility for your work environment, regardless of where you work. This means that your employer has main responsibility for your work environment when you are working from home. However, while formal responsibility remains unchanged, the Work Environment Act states that the employer and the employee must work together to develop a good work environment.

Arbetsgivarens ansvar vid arbete hemifrån (Arbetsgivarverket)

Arbetstagarens ansvar vid arbete hemifrån (Arbetsgivarverket)

Answer: Yes, if you follow the university's recommendations regarding work at home and your immediate manager has given you approval to work from home.

Answer: We have a collective agreement that means that all staff are covered by certain insurance. If you should injure yourself in relation to work, then PSA (personskadeavtalet, AFA Försäkring) applies. 
 
In contrast to when you are working from the University, an accident at home must have a direct connection to work. That means that you hurt yourself while doing your work. For example, if you hurt yourself while making coffee in your kitchen, this is not considered a work-related accident, even if it happens during set working hours. 
 
Källa: AFA Försäkring (AFA Insurance)

Answer: It is normal to feel anxious, sad and stressed during times of change. We all react differently, and such feelings are natural responses, especially during a crisis.

Working from home means a change to normal working life: one reason for this is simply the fact you no longer move physically from your home to work. Even working from the university will be different since many of your colleagues may not be there. Regardless of where you choose to work, the current situation presents very different parameters when it comes to, for example, the sense of social unity.

If you feel you are not coping very well and need help and support, you should contact your immediate manager as he/she is responsible for your work environment.

You can also contact occupational health services (Previa) to book an appointment with a therapist or psychologist. If after your appointment you feel the need for further appointments, you need to discuss this with your immediate manager. Note that Previa does not provide testing services or other medical services relating to covid-19.

What can I myself do?
You can do a number of things to take care of yourself and your mental health:

• Be open and talk about your feelings to somebody who is willing to listen, such as family and friends.
• Relaxation exercises, yoga, meditation and deep-breathing exercises can reduce your level of stress hormones significantly.
• Write down your thoughts. Ten to 15 minutes three or five times a day is often enough. Write without thinking about your language or formulations. Read what you write later, if at all. Writing by hand is the most effective method, but you can of course also write using a computer.
• Go for a walk – out in nature if you can. Try to get lots of fresh air and to stay physically active.
• Learn about stress and how it affects you. This will help you find strategies to manage your stress levels and increase your sense of being in control. The WHO provides advice on how to cope with stress during the COVID-19 outbreak (PDF)

Answer: Dalarna University does not pay for office equipment for a home office. In dialogue with your immediate manager you can bring:

• Computer
• Computer screen
• Docking station for your computer
• Mouse
• Keyboard
• Office chair
• Headset

You need to arrange the transport on your own, both to your home and back to the office after the period of working from home ends. Dalarna University does not pay for any transport or organise this for you. When you work at home, only support by distance is provided. If your screen breaks, your employer will pay for any costs on condition that normal care was exercised.

Currently, the employer has determined that in normal cases, serious problems can be avoided if we ensure we take breaks. If you have prior known problems that relate to your work position, or if even pauses and exercises do not work for you, you are encouraged to contact your immediate manager. 

Answer: You can access most systems from home without having to do anything in particular with your computer; however, if, for example, you need to access documents in your home catalogue or a shared folder, you will need to use VPN for distance connection. VPN is accessible to all staff.

Our IT department has up-to-date information about this (in Swedish): IT-Support & Helpdesk (intranet).

Answer: No, you cannot post Högskolan Dalarna envelopes in the regular postboxes you can find in your town. This is because the envelopes have a barcode (instead of a stamp to pay for postage) that is valid only when collected from the University or upon delivery to a PostNord business centre.

Answer: If you require testing for covid-19, then you need to contact healthcare services. You can find information for your region on 1177.se.

Answer: It is the responsibility of us all to stay at home if it feels like we have a cold. You have a personal responsibility to protect yourself and others from the spread of covid-19, more information at krisinformation.se. Talk to your immediate manager if you do not want to be at the workplace because of your colleague’s symptoms. Remember that symptoms that resemble the cold may be due to other health conditions, such as allergies.

Answer: In accordance with the recommendations of the Public Health Authority, everyone who feels sick must stay at home. We recommend you follow the updated advice provided by the Public Health Agency of Sweden.

Answer: You can find current information in a number of languages on the website of the Swedish Social Insurance Agency and on the webpage of the Government Offices of Sweden.

If you suspect that you have contracted the virus, you are asked to first contact healthcare services according to their guidelines. Also inform your immediate manager if, as a result of this, you will be absent from work.

Answer: If you have symptoms that make you suspect that you have covid-19, contact healthcare services to get a test. Tests are free. You must then remain at home until you receive your test results. Read more on 1177 Vårdguiden.

Answer: The doctor and healthcare services decide who an infected person must inform that they have covid-19. However, if you voluntarily or according to instructions from healthcare services inform your immediate manager. By doing this, the University can provide a full picture of the covid-19 situation among its staff to healthcare infection control staff. 

Answer: If you live with somebody who is showing symptoms, you should ask your immediate manager if you can work at home or from an appropriate place until there is no longer a risk of infection.

Answer: If somebody in your household is confirmed to have covid-19, you must stay at home. In Dalarna, family quarantine applies:

Read more on this on the Region Dalarna website

Answer: In order to contribute to stopping the spread of infection, Dalarna University allows employees who intend to be vaccinated to do so during working hours without a salary deduction, if vaccination is not possible outside working hours. If you´ll get time for vaccination during working hours, check out with youre immediate manager so that´s ok.

Read more about vaccination against covid-19 during working hours (Staff Pages)

Answer: If you are a member of staff, you, like our students, can contact one of our chaplains about the worry the coronavirus situation is causing you, as well as any other issues. You can meet them on campus or contact them by phone, Skype or Connect.
Student Counselling Services

If you are a member of staff and require Previa's services, you must always first contact your immediate manager. Note that Previa does not provide testing services or other medical services relating to Covid-19.

Answer: Yes, all business trips must be approved by your immediate manager. Dalarna University complies with the recommendations of the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

If there are special reasons to make a work-related trip, then approval must be sought from the Vice-Chancellor. This advice applies to both employees and students.

Answer: No, the university cannot prevent you from making any private trips. However, it advises all employees and students not to travel to countries that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has advised against making non-essential trips to.

Advice on what to keep in mind when planning to travel (The Public Healt Agency of Sweden)

Always contact Lingmerths, the travel agency used by the University, for information about what applies in each case and for detailed information on current regulations.