Frequently Asked Questions regarding response to COVID-19
Facilities
May I use RU facilities to work on assignments and projects?
No, undergraduate and master's students are not allowed to enter the RU building, according to the limitations placed upon university operations by the Minister of Health in response to the epidemic. This also applies to practical work and projects.
Can I use RU facilities to conduct research that is part of my project?
No, undergraduate and master's students are not allowed to enter the RU building, according to the limitations placed upon university operations by the Minister of Health in response to the epidemic. This also applies to practical work and projects.
Icelandic universities have decided that PhD students are categorized as employees of the universities in this regard. As other RU employees, PhD students are strongly encouraged to work from home.
For how long will RU be closed?
The current limitations on school operations are in effect until May 4th. It is not yet clear if the university can be opened to some extend in May or if the limitations will be extended even further.
Why can RU employees enter the RU building but not students?
RU employees have been strongly encouraged to work from home and most have complied with those directives. However, RU facilities are available for RU staff to stream or record lectures, or to use data or equipment which is not available online.
Diagnoses and disease
Has anyone at Ru been diagnosed with COVID-19?
The University does not keep a record on students or employees who have been diagnosed. There is no known instance of diagnosis prior to the closure of the university. It is reasonable to assume, considering the spread of the disease, that some students and employees have been diagnosed since then.
I feel I may have symptoms of COVID-19. What should I do?
Information on how to prevent infection and spread of the virus, on quarantine and isolation, latest news about the epidemic in Iceland, and more, is to be found on the webpage: https://www.covid.is/english that is operated by the Directorate of Health and The Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management.
The webpage specifies that if you suspect you may be infected, and have a temperature of 38.5°C or higher, with bone pain and cough, you should stay at home and call 1700, or your health care center or use the online chat at heilsuvera.is. Health care workers will answer you and direct you on the next steps. It is very important that people with symptoms do not visit health care centers or hospitals.
If a student cannot continue his or her studies due to COVID-19, RU provides the student all possible flexibility in courses, for example by offering the student to receive "pass" rather than a numerical grade for courses.
If a student needs psychiatric help or to consult s study counsellor, online meetings can be booked on en.ru.is/services/support/
I need to attend to sick relatives/children/partner and do not have any time left to study. What can I do?
If a student cannot continue his or her studies due to his or her or other's sickness, quarantine or isolation due to COVID-19, RU provides the student involved with all possible flexibility in courses, for example by offering the student to receive "pass" rather than a numerical grade. If that is not enough, students who are experiencing problems can write an email to vor2020@ru.is with their requests.
If a student wants to book an appointment with a study counsellor to discuss his or her studies, online appointments can be booked at en.ru.is/services/support/.
Studies
How will the closing of the University affect my studies?
RU's aim is to minimize the effect of the closing on studies. The spring term of 2020 will be finished in such a way that students will have all the same opportunities as before to continue their studies, graduate and take on further studies. For this to be possible, many things have had to change, such as teaching, study assessments, timing of exams etc. Regardless of those changes, the spring term will be completed and students will graduate this spring.
My circumstances have changed greatly due to the epidemic. What flexibility do I have?
RU offers its students all possible flexibility due to the closing of the University and other effects of the COVID-19 epidemic. To limit the load on students, RU makes it possible for students to elect receiving "pass" as a grade for a course, instead of a numerical grade, as long as students have completed and received satisfactory results in at least 50% of gradable assignments/tests in the course in question.
Students also have the option of completing all assignments and tests and receive a numerical grade. If students do not fulfil the requirements for receiving "pass" and conditions prevent them from finishing a course, they have the option of withdrawing from the course.
Students who have significant issues due to COVID-19, for which the above-mentioned options do not work, are asked to send an email with explanation to: vor2020@ru.is
Will there be summer courses?
At the moment, that is not clear.
I cannot work on my project or assignment because of no access to RU facilities. What can I do?
If you feel this applies to you, please contact the relevant teacher or the office of your department. No course elements that demand the use of RU facilities should prevent students from finishing their courses and studies this term.
Will it affect my possibilities for further studies at RU or other universities to select the "pass" option?
Universities worldwide are dealing with the same issues as RU. RU's response is in line with that of other universities, in Iceland and abroad. By using similar solutions as other universities, RU wants to ensure that its students will continue to have the same opportunities as before.
How are other universities reacting to the situation?
It varies how universities abroad are dealing with the situation. In general, universities in the US currently seem to be going further in adjusting their studies and study assessments to the current situation than their European counterparts. When deciding which path to take, RU took the actions of other universities, such as MIT and Northwestern, into consideration, but also looked at the specific circumstances for students at RU.
At MIT, all teaching has been moved online and it is only giving out pass/fail this Spring. Northwestern has made all remaining assignments and tests optional. Georgetown, like RU, offers students a choice. By using an approach similar to that of other universities, RU wants to ensure that its students continue to have the same opportunities for the future.
Study assessment
Will there be any exams in the RU building this term?
No, there will be no exams held in the RU building this term, even though limitations on operations of schools would be lifted while exams were ongoing online.
When do I have to decide if I will take the "pass" option instead of a traditional grade?
Students have until April 12th to decide for 12-week courses and until April 30th to decide for 15-week courses. If circumstances change for students after the deadlines, they can send a reasoned request for the "pass" option until the day of the final exam.
Can I still elect to take exams and receive a numerical grade?
Yes, those who do not select to receive "pass" and want to receive a numerical grade will take exams in the courses they choose to do so. Students who elect to use the "pass" option will not take final exams in those courses.
Can I take exams in some courses but choose to receive "pass" in others?
Yes, students can take final exams in some courses and receive "pass" in other courses.
How do I select in which courses I want to receive "pass" and in which courses I want to receive a numerical grade?
You do so by answering a quiz, which will be sent to you for each course in Canvas.
I have only finished half of the assessment for a course and have the average grade of 6. Can I choose "passed" or do I simply get a grade of 3 for the course?
Yes, you can choose "passed". Individuals that have a satisfactory grade for at least half of the course assessment can receive a "pass" instead of the traditional grade. You will be sent a message in every course explaining the situation in that course.
In one of my courses, the final exam is 60% of the final grade, or more. Can I still choose "passed"?
Final exams should no longer make up more than 50% of the overall assessment for an individual course and all courses at RU should be adjusted to achieve that. If you have not been notified about changes being made to a course where the final exam had a value of more than 50% of a final grade, please contact the teacher or the department office.
I am working on a final project and should hand it in this spring. Will the assessment for final projects change?
Each department decides how to extend more flexibility towards students regarding final projects. This will be announced late March - early April. If you have not received any notifications by the first days of April, please get in touch with the department office.
I am writing my master's thesis and should finish this spring. Will the assessment for master's theses change?
Each department decides how to they extend more flexibility towards students regarding master's theses. This will be announced late March - early April. If you have not received any notifications by the first days of April, please get in touch with the department office.
Is it possible to receive "passed" for final projects/theses?
This varies between departments as each department decides how to extend more flexibility towards students. The RU policy is clear: All students will be accommodated due to the current circumstances this spring term and the goal is to make it possible for students to complete their studies. However, it is in the hands of each department to determine how to do that regarding master's theses and final projects.
Can I take an exam, and if not successful enough, choose "pass" afterwards?
No, students cannot choose "pass" after the final exam. The deadline for choosing "pass" is until April 12th for the 12 week courses, and until April 30th for the 15 week courses.
I am doing an internship but the company is closed. How will my internship assessed?
As the organization of internships varies between departments, each department decides how to extend more flexibility towards students regarding internships. Students in this position should contact their department office. The RU policy is clear: All students will be accommodated due to the current circumstances this spring term and the goal is to make it possible for students to complete their studies.
Graduation, Dean's List, etc.
Will there be a graduation ceremony in June 2020?
It is the primary objective of RU to ensure that students can continue their studies, so that the term can be completed on time and students can graduate in June. It is not clear at this moment how the graduation itself is structured and whether a ceremony will be held in Harpa in June, or possibly later.
Will there be a Dean‘s List next term?
There will not be a traditional Dean‘s List next term, autumn 2020, as the circumstances do not allow for the traditional method of selection based on the academic results from the spring term. When the current situation is over, other qualifications might be considered as the basis for a different kind of academic acknowledgement for the autumn term of 2020.
Can I get a discount of the tuition fees for spring term 2020?
The goal of Reykjavik University is to finish the term with as little changes to studies as possible. Teaching has been moved online and students receive service online as well. The tuition fees for this term will therefore remain the same.
Application deadline for autumn term
Will the application deadlines for autumn applications change?
Yes, the application deadlines have been extended. The application deadline will be June 15th for undergraduate studies and May 20th for graduate studies. This is a joint decision made by the ministry of education and the universities.
Services at RU
Can I borrow books from the library?
No, unfortunately not. Like other university libraries in Iceland, the RU library is closed.
Can I book a session with a counselor?
Yes, see https://en.ru.is/services/support/ for information about booking a session.
I can feel that anxiety and stress are starting to have an effect on me. Can I book a session with a psychologist?
RU students can get psychology services within the University. This entails an interview and a six-week group therapy for depression and anxiety. The services are provided be RU‘s Psychology Department in cooperation with RU student counseling. Student that wish to use this service can send an e-mail to: salfraedithjonusta@ru.is or contact the RU student counseling office which will direct those who need or want to use the psychology service to a psychologist for an interview.
If you have considerable anxiety, you can also seek assistance at the Heilsugaesla Local Health Office. The helpline of the Icelandic Red Cross is also always open, the number is 1717.
Exchange studies
If I am an exchange student and return to my home country, what becomes of the courses and the credits I have completed?
RU will do its best to accommodate exchange students regarding this and to make it possible for them to finish courses online.
I returned from my exchange study earlier than planned. Is the term ruined for me?
If exchange students from RU decide to come home before they finish their courses abroad, they will be given all possible flexibility and assistance that is necessary for them to complete the credits for this term. Such students should contact their departments immediately so that a plan can be drawn up.
Whom should I contact regarding the effects of COVID-19 on my exchange studies?
Exchange students from RU that have come back to Iceland should contact the office of their department. International exchange students should get in touch with the International Office at RU.
Student loans
Due to the circumstances, I am not sure I will comply with the rules regarding academic progress for student loans in the spring term. Are there any options available for me?
On the Student Loan Fund website (www.lin.is) it is stated that the Fund‘s board of directors has, in light of the special circumstances, allowed the Fund to take into consideration different kinds of confirmation of student progress than the typical credits finished. Students that rely on student loans but do not finish the required credits can apply for a loan nevertheless and are encouraged to do so.
