After a moment of confusion caused by housing assignments as we’ve reported yesterday, Al Akhawayn University has just communicated more details about its strategy for Fall 2020. The new strategy unveils a number of new procedures and changes to the way the university will operate, as well as a set of health measures and precautions that will be followed.
5 main blocks to ensure “student success with safety”
As it was communicated by the SGA, only freshmen students, graduating seniors, mentors, RAs, and other students with special circumstances will be allowed on campus. A valid PCR test is now mandatory prior to travel to Ifrane, as per the authorities’ new restrictions on access to the city. Student travelling from Zone 2 cities will also need official authorization in order to travel to Ifrane. A constraint as many students reported the difficulty to undergo testing in their cities.
In addition to these administrative details, the university will also follow a series of strict COVID-19 measures that include temperature controls, a specific protocol in case of COVID-19 infections, a possibility to conduct testing in AUI in the future, and the usage of Wiqayatna contact tracing app as well as other measures. According to the document shared by AUI, the health center will also be reconfigured “as the single point of contact to monitor the health and provide medical oversight of all aspects related to pandemic management and other health-related issues, including identifying vulnerable members of the campus community, contact tracing and follow up with individuals who may have had any type of exposure to COVID-19”.
In terms of academic affairs, most courses will adopt a fully online methodology for sophomores, juniors, and seniors. For freshmen students, classes will alternate between online and in-person classes. These details are subject to change depending on the situation on campus or new decisions by the authorities.
Finally, in terms of the student experience, the university aims to provide a healthy environment for its students with measures such as extending the move-in days, converting restaurants to provide only carry-out meals, develop adequate cleaning protocols and work on potential socializing activities.
Details about access for student residing off-campus, curfew and ability to go out of campus still unclear
The current statement shared by AUI does not clearly state what kind of regulations will apply in case there are students who reside outside campus. Besides mentioning that a “Developed a fully online option for all off-campus students.” will be available, details on access to campus are still not clear. In addition, details about curfews and ability to go out of campus are still unclear so far.
New students & eligible continuing students are required to sign a pledge to respect a number of regulations before accessing AUI’s campus. The pledge also indicates that regulations can change at any moment depending on the epidemiological situation in Ifrane.
1 Comment