This article will be updated as new information comes up.
The changes due to the corona virus affect students’ everyday lives considerably, and we have collected answers to frequently asked questions on this page. We will update more questions and answers when we get more information. We recommend you to follow the University’s emails and intranet. Read more about the Universities’ Covid control plan on Intra here.
The Student Union is here to support the students during this state of emergency. If you have any questions not listed here, don’t hesitate to contact korona-help@trey.fi!
Frequently updated news
Measures taken regarding the COVID-19 pandemic
Corona FAQ (this article)
TREY’s event guidelines for associations and students
The University’s instructions for staff and students on the Intranet (frequently updated)
TREY
Are TREY’s service offices open?
The service offices are open, and you can book the member services normally. Exceptions to our opening hours can be found on our website in the Opening hours -page.
Is TREY’s office staff working?
Yes. TREY’s staff and board members are working and available. We follow the remote work and hybrid work recommendation. You can find the contact information here.
Does the student union hold events?
TREY follows the authorities’ guidelines on gathering restrictions. We are planning our spring events taking into account the COVID-situation.
University guidelines
Where can I find more information on the University’s guidelines about the coronavirus?
You can also find up-to-date information about the pandemic on TREY’s website.
How do I submit my application for extension during this exceptional period?
How is the teaching organised during the pandemic?
The faculties will begin to increase the proportion of in-person teaching in February, and the University will resume full in-person teaching when the fourth teaching period begins on 7 March. However, teaching can still be delivered in a remote or hybrid format for pedagogical reasons. Read more about returning to in-person teaching on Intra.
University facilities
Should I wear a face mask on campus?
Wearing a face mask is required in the indoor facilities of Tampere University. As of 10 January 2022, face masks will be available at the main entrances of the campus buildings. Hand sanitizer, tongs and face masks will be available in an easily accessible location near the main entrances.
Can I come and study at the campus?
The campuses and their study facilities are open and you can come and study at the campus. Wearing a face mask is required in all indoor facilities of Tampere Universities.
Is it possible for students to book university facilities?
The on-campus study spaces are open. Possible working in campuses must be carried out in accordance with safety distances, gathering restrictions and hygiene requirements. You can ask more information on reservation of university’s facilities from the facilities services at tilavaraus.tau@tuni.fi.
What do the restrictions on facilities mean for the student association facilities?
Appropriate use of the facilities of the student guilds, clubs and associations is allowed. Larger gatherings and events must not be held in the facilities.
When and how are the university doors open?
The campus buildings will continue to be open from 8.00 to 16.00. Outside these hours, authorised users can use their key card to enter the premises. You can read more information about student access to campus facilities on intranet.
How are SportUni sports centres open?
The most up-to-date information regarding SportUni can be found on their website!
Exposure to the virus and getting COVID
What do I do if I find out I have been exposed to COVID?
- Assess your potential exposure and contributing factors, such as your vaccination status and face mask usage.
- If you have no symptoms, you can continue studying as normal. Wear a face mask, avoid close contact with others and practice good hand hygiene. Keep a safe distance from others, especially in campus restaurants, and avoid social contact for at least five days whenever possible.
- If you have symptoms, operate in accordance with the Finnish institute of health and welfare (THL).
What do I do if I get COVID?
- If your COVID-19 test (home test or PCR test) is positive, self-isolate to prevent spreading the infection. The day your symptoms start is day zero of isolation. Operate in accordance with the Finnish institute of health and welfare (THL).
- The public health authorities recommend people infected with COVID-19 to notify others of potential exposure.
- After self-isolating for five days, you can return to your studies on campus if your symptoms have eased, you are able to study, and the last two days of your self-isolation have been symptom-free. Wear a face mask and practice good hand hygiene. You might show mild post-COVID symptoms, such as coughing, but your five-day absence has diminished your risk of infecting others. Some post-COVID symptoms might persist for weeks.
- If your symptoms are severe and they continue after five days, seek medical help from FSHS or public healthcare services.
Exams and teaching
I belong to a higher risk group and need special arrangements. What do I do?
The proposal for special arrangements is possible to obtain. For the proposal, students will need a doctor’s note that states that the student is at a higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. To obtain special arrangements, book an appointment with our student counseling services in our online Outlook calendar or ask for an appointment by email (studentcounselling.tau@tuni.fi). You must present your Proposal for Special Arrangements to your teachers when you need special arrangements. More information on special arrangements can be found on Intra.
What do the restrictions on facilities mean for laboratory courses and the organising of mandatory laboratory work?
The laboratory studies and small group teaching are held physically on campuses. More information on teaching on Intranet.
Are the University’s EXAM rooms open?
When exams are organised, the number of people in the exam venue may not exceed 50. Exam takers must maintain social distancing and follow the safety measures. The seating capacity in the electronic examination facilities is not restricted. Face masks are required in all in-person classes and exams. Masks are made available to students in the venue.
What should I do if an exam is postponed or it’s unclear how exams are arranged?
The University’s guideline is that exams shouldn’t be postponed into the future, but studies are assessed with alternative methods. The faculties’ staff is attempting to secure the chance to complete courses as far as possible. If nevertheless the completion methods present considerable challenges and exams are postponed, contact the teacher responsible for the course. You might also want to contact the Vice Dean for education in your faculty and the Educational Affairs sector of the Student Union.
If a teacher won’t agree to be flexible on completion options, what should I do?
Generally, teachers determine completion options, but in exceptional situations, there should be completion options that can be done remotely. If the completion methods present considerable challenges, contact the teacher responsible for the course. You might also want to contact the Vice Dean for education in your faculty and the Educational Affairs sector of the Student Union.
Can we still take the examinations remotely for special reasons in the 4th period?
If the course’s teacher sees it as a possibility. University recommends teachers to use the Tuni EXAM -system for exams. With the EXAM-system, students can take the exams at our own university’s campuses or at other universities via EXAM-visit. EXAM-visit means that the student will take the exam in some other universities’ EXAM-spaces. It is student’s responsibility to check what kind of instructions that university has about the EXAM-visit. You can find more information from Tuni-EXAM webpage.
Teaching in the 4th period
Is it still possible to study remotely in the future?
If the course is held by in-person teaching there won’t be an alternative option of remote teaching. This goes both ways, if the course is arranged as a remote course, there won’t be an alternative in-person teaching option.
After we return to in-person teaching, is there still going to be an option to participate in the teaching remotely via lecture recordings?
In the courses that already have lecture recordings and in those where recording the in-person teaching is possible, the recordings can be used as part of the teaching.
What are “the pedagogically strong grounds to organise remote teaching? How is the university going to make sure that the teaching principles are uniform in the faculties and between them?
Faculties and Language Centre have discussed the teaching in the fourth period and they have made their guidelines for the teaching in certain faculties or units. The teacher will decide the teaching method according to these guidelines.
If the course has started in the third period, is it still possible to finish it remotely?
Faculties and Language Centre have discussed the teaching in the fourth period and they have made their guidelines for the teaching in certain faculties or units. The teacher will decide the teaching method according to these guidelines.
When we return to in-person teaching will the hybrid studying option remain? Do we have both remote and in-person teaching next year or are all the courses going to be in-person?
The teaching arrangements for the academic year 2022-2023 are in the planning-phase in the beginning of the spring. Most likely, we are going to utilise all three teaching methods: in-person, hybrid and remote teaching. Teachers are required to have a pedagogical reason for the selected method.
Exchange studies
International mobility for incoming and outgoing exchange students is possible. It is essential for incoming exchange students to follow general entry regulations and health safety guidelines. It is possible to go for an exchange at the discretion of the destination university and the destination country, as well as at the student’s own discretion, taking into account the instructions governing travel (THL, Border Guard).
Library
The Library has limited service hours. The facilities are open as normal. External customers can visit the Library during opening hours. The Regional State Administrative Agency may issue further guidelines, which will be implemented by Tampere Universities.
IT
I don’t have a computer; can I borrow one somewhere?
The University has a few laptops available for the students to loan if their own device is i.e., broken. Students must agree on the pick-up of loan devices in advance with the IT Helpdesk. Laptops that are available for loan to students can be collected from the Hervanta campus, the city centre campus and the TAMK main campus. As the number of laptops is limited, they can only be borrowed by students who urgently need them. Please send an inquiry about the availability of loan devices to the IT Helpdesk via it-helpdesk@tuni.fi. Read more information about the laptops for loan on intranet.
Income
TREY recommends using Kela’s e-services during the pandemic. You can find Kela’s report on Student financial aid and the effects of the exceptional situation caused by the corona virus here.Kela will inform about other exceptions and changes on its website. If you have questions regarding Kela’s financial aids, please contact Ilona Taubert, TREY’s Specialist in Social Affairs.
Student meals
Student restaurants located on campuses determine their own opening hours within the campus opening hours. You can find the most up-to-date information on the opening hours of student restaurants on campuses on the restaurants’ own pages.
City centre campus
Hervanta campus
Kauppi campus and TAMK
Other locations
You can find the restaurants that provide food with meal subsidies in Tampere on Kela’s website.
Support and health
What kind of support is available during remote studies e.g. for loneliness?
Many subject associations and guilds have already formed or will form “virtual association facilities” or other ways to hang out remotely. You should follow associations’ communication channels for these opportunities! TREY is also looking into opportunities for training and other support around the theme.
Nyyti ry promotes the mental health of students and organises chats on coronavirus and the worry is causes. Read more information about Nyyti’s activities on its website.
Mieli ry offers a crisis helpline every day and night (You can call the Arabic helpline in English.)
FSHS psychologists have compiled tips for coping with worry of coronavirus. You can read the coronavirus guide on FSHS’s website.
Mieli ry list of instructions:
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- Reliable information
- Distance from the news stream
- Accept uncertainty
- Follow instructions
- Talk
- Be prepared
- Hold on to routines
- Go out and exercise
- Relax
- Avoid alcohol and drugs
- Help others
Will I be able to talk to a study psychologist even when the University is closed?
Study psychologists and other university counselling services are available like normal, but meetings are moved to virtual platforms. University’s well-being and guidance service Navigaattori is open for you without prior booking. Read more about Navigaattori on its own website!
Is FSHS open normally?
For now, FSHS offices operate normally according to reservations. If you’re completely symptom-free, you can come to the office at an agreed time. If you have a reservation or you’re making one, you will be offered a chance for remote consultation in all cases where it’s suitable. Remote consultation is a safe way to reach a professional. Read more on remote consultation on FSHS’s website.