Communication of the Rector of the SGGW of 16.03.2020

Prof. dr hab. Wiesław Bielawski on the functioning of the university during an epidemiological threat

Dear
Colleagues,
Students and students,

due to the introduction of an epidemiological emergency in Poland, a difficult period for the academic community of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences
in the fight against coronavirus.

First of all, I would like to warmly thank the employees, and especially the students of our university, for their understanding and maturity in connection with the difficult decisions that the authorities of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences must take in order to protect us all from the consequences of the epidemiological threat.

I ask all employees, students and doctoral students to follow the rules set out in the communications of state and local government authorities, in particular the recommendations of GIS, guided by the good of society and of our university. The situation will probably change constantly, so please follow the news published and updated on the websites and social media of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences.

In this special situation, we ask you to:

limitation to the necessary minimum of direct contacts with both university employees and people from outside,
at workplaces with a particular intensity of personal contacts (student houses, gatehouses, secretariats, etc.) to apply special precautions by ensuring appropriate conditions and a safe distance between contacting persons (marking a safe distance and posting clear information about this principle, and if possible organization of so-called buffer zones, e.g. for the transfer of documentation),
introducing principles of remote work in research institutes (where possible),
preparation of teaching materials to conduct remote teaching of students, enabling distance learning for students and doctoral students in various forms of remote lectures, consultations, etc.,
suspension of business trips abroad and participation of university employees, doctoral students, students and postgraduate students in conferences taking place in the territory of the Republic of Poland, and the suspension of domestic and foreign academic exchange of students and university employees. This also applies to all planned trips under the Own Scholarship Fund of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences. These trips were postponed to a later date. It is possible to interrupt the internship financed by the WFS, and the financing and settlement of the internship will be considered individually.

I am also asking you to take care of our retired employees and people from risk groups. It is them who, in the first place, should be provided with safe conditions and comfort of work, let us contact them and, if possible, help them.

Ladies and Gentlemen, let us make every effort to ensure that this period runs smoothly,
observing the principles of the academic community. I’m sure with your understanding of the situation
and mutual kindness, these difficult processes will run smoothly for the benefit of all of us. I wish all of us that we can quickly return to normal study and work conditions.

Wiesław Bielawski
Rector of SGGW