Dear Students,

Due to the Corona pandemic, learning at the Hebrew University will be e-learning. To prepare for this move, the opening of the second semester will be delayed by a week. The second semester will commence only on Sunday, March 22, 2020

1.  The University gates will remain open and the administrative and academic staff will continue to work as usual, as far as possible.

2.  During the pandemic, the university is moving to e-teaching and e-learning. To this end, we have upgraded the Moodle system (a move that will help even during routine times). We have also acquired mass use licenses for two software programs that will allow for distance learning: Zoom and Panopto. Both software programs will operate via the course website on the HU Moodle. Moreover, we have opened a dedicated website that contains various software manuals and updates as well as short scientific papers on topics relevant to the corona crisis, written by Hebrew University faculty members.

3.  The postponement of the opening second semester by a week is designed to provide instructors with time to prepare for distance learning. We have integrated links to Zoom and Panopto on the Moodle site for every second semester course. Additionally, trainings (both in-person and remote) in using Zoom and Panopto will take place next week.  In the coming days, instructors will notify students registered in the course which program they will use to conduct the course. Classes will be conducted on the dates listed in the system.  A separate notice will be made regarding courses that are conducted in a special format, such as laboratory classes, clinical study and practical training.  As of now, clinical instruction in the medical professions (medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine) will be conducted as usual.

4.  We are first and foremost committed to maintaining the health of the whole university community. If in doubt, please contact the relevant officials in the department that will be conducting the course or the Dean of Students. Please be sure to carry out the Ministry of Health guidelines regarding the duty to remain in isolation and try to minimize close encounters with those in high risk groups. Please behave wisely and responsibly.

 5.  Maintain telephonic contact with colleagues who are in isolation, and try to ease their stress and anxiety. Please also seek our aid and the Student Union’s aid for every need that arises in this context. Make sure that colleagues continue their studies despite the situation, and inform the course instructor if any difficulty arises.

We hope that this crisis will pass quickly and without casualties.  Perhaps a little sweet will also come from all of this bitter - inter alia, strengthening our social cohesion and significant upgrading of the university’s distance teaching and learning system.

 

Best regards,

Barak Medina, Rector