How the fall 2021 semester will play out

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Institutional Communication Service

31 May 2021

The situation is gradually returning to normal. As a result, USI has decided that the fall semester, beginning on 20 September 2021, will be carried out on the campuses as much as possible and with online sessions if needed.

The Federal Council lifted the 50-person restriction on classroom teaching. The prerequisite is a testing strategy. The requirement to wear a mask and to respect the mandatory distance remains in force, a factor that could still place some limits on a full return to in-person lectures. Should the space required for teaching exceed the space available due to social distancing, blended teaching, similar to that of the 2020-21 academic year, will be implemented for the courses with the highest number of participants, alternating between presence and distance learning. Faculties will define the specific modalities in agreement with the Pro-Rectorate for Education and Students' Experience.

All courses will continue to make extensive use of the iCorsi platform so that the syllabus and materials will be available to all. In addition, if significant limitations regarding travel and related quarantines are still in place, USI is committed to supporting those temporarily unable to reach the campuses by providing a recording of the lectures.

Also, in defining the arrangements for the first semester of the academic year 2021-22, USI has been inspired by the four principles that have guided the institution in the two academic years affected by the pandemic: to protect the safety of the academic community; to seek solutions to guarantee continuity, while contributing to the stability of the social fabric; to ensure the educational offer even in such a volatile and challenging context; to comply with the decisions of the competent public authorities. Throughout this period, USI has considered in-person learning and university life on campus to be very important. Still, at the same time, it has shown the ability to manage online training, taking advantage of the opportunities and ensuring a flexible and continuous learning experience.