Dear Hebrew University students,
We wish you an enjoyable academic year.
The Hebrew University continues to be the leading academic institution in Israel, in research and teaching. The number of applicants for study at HUJI has increased by about 40% over the past three years, and we regret that we can only admit a small percentage of applicants. Student satisfaction is high, and it has been improving in recent years. The Hebrew University considers the students equal partners in learning, and it encourages critical thinking and skepticism. In this spirit, this letter was written in coordination with the Student Union leadership.
1. As you know, the academic year will open with distance teaching and learning, through Zoom. We hope that during the semester we will be able to start teaching in classrooms on campus, and we are continuing to carry out technological preparations for this. We encourage meetings among students, presence on campus and dormitories and shared social activities, which are essential for our existence and academic success – all, of course, while adhering to the health guidelines. There are dedicated learning complexes on campuses, designed to allow meetings in a ventilated space, with the infrastructure required for online learning, alongside the regular learning spaces on campuses. In accordance with improvement in the health situation in Israel, we will return to a form of study that combines study on campus with online studies.
2. The University is working to ensure a learning continuum throughout the semester. The University units will operate in accordance with the rules set out in the study regulations (available here), and, as much as possible, will avoid making changes in assessment methods. The Teaching and Policy Committee works in collaboration with the Student Union.
3. Some courses will be held on campus, subject to health guidelines. These are mainly practical or clinical training courses and laboratory courses. The departments will notify you when these courses will commence as soon as we have clear government guidelines. Students enrolled in these courses and are not able to come to study on campus for health reasons (e.g., because the student is in home isolation or belongs to a risk group), will be able to receive an exemption from the obligation to attend the course physically on campus.
4. Teaching and learning through Zoom is challenging. The teachers have been trained for online teaching, technically and pedagogically, and have been instructed to diversify the teaching methods as much as possible, by integrating discussions in Zoom rooms, polls, short videos and more. Numerical grades will be given this semester, and we are already preparing for that.
5. Video cameras: Our goal is for all class participants to be able to see everyone else’s faces, via video streaming on Zoom. Etiquette suggests that students allow the instructor to see them as they listen and respond. Having the camera on reduces students’ distractions during class, and it is also essential for creating a learning community. Accordingly, students are asked to have their camera on during each Zoom class, for the duration of the lesson. At the same time, a student can be exempted from the obligation to turn the camera on, by submitting a reasoned request to the instructor before class. If your reason for requesting the exemption is that you lack the appropriate equipment, please contact the Dean of Students, who may help in this matter.
6. Participation: Teachers have been instructed to encourage students to participate actively in the lesson, including by answering the instructor’s questions, asking your own questions, and presenting your comments and critiques.
Alongside the traditional means for class participation, by raising hands (to raise your hand in Zoom: press “participants,” and in the window that opens, bottom left, click on raise hand; click again on raise hand to cancel the request to participate), Zoom offers additional ways. One way is “chat.” To avoid distractions during class, it is best to limit written discussion to set times. Another option is student group discussion (“breakout rooms”) during the lesson. Discussion in Zoom rooms provides students with an opportunity to get to know their classmates and to discuss and clarify study material, by means of a joint discussion of a question that the instructor asked. Experience shows that the best way to learn is “peer learning,” both during and out of class (in this regard, you may want to watch this short video). Finally, we have instructed teachers to create an open forum on the course website on Moodle, for written discussions about the lesson. We encourage all of the course participants to take part in the forum.
7. Recordings: Due to the fact that the current semester will begin with distance learning, in general, the lessons will be recorded and the recordings can be used by the students taking the course. The recordings are only available to students who are registered for the course. The recordings may not be used for anything other than learning in the course. Students may not record lessons independently without the instructor’s consent. Teachers were instructed to discuss the issue of recording with the students, and may avoid recording.
8. In cases of disagreement with decisions pertaining to academic matters, please contact the dean of the faculty or school. If necessary, the dean’s decisions may be appealed to the chair of the Teaching and Policy Committee, Prof. Boaz Yuval. In aspects pertaining to need for personal assistance, including financial difficulties, emotional difficulties, adaptations for special needs, etc. please contact the Dean of Students. The Dean offers an augmented support system during the coronavirus period. The Dean's website contains detailed information on how to submit inquiries and requests on various issues. You are also encouraged to contact the Students’ Union.
9. The University is working to provide special relief for our dormitory residents. The exact arrangements in this matter will be sent to dormitory residents.
10. The Hebrew University provides each student one entry to the Israel Museum free of charge (the benefit is worth 39 NIS, and is funded by the University). The details regarding this will be published once the Museum reopens.
We wish all of you a fruitful and successful academic year and good health.
Best regards,
Prof. Barak Medina, Rector
Prof. Guy Harpaz, Dean of Students