The Senate of the Cyprus University of Technology (TEPAK), in an extraordinary meeting held today, August 24, 2021, discussed how to conduct courses during the Autumn Semester 2021.

Three comprehensive presentations were made before the Senate. After an extensive dialogue and in-depth reflection with the participation of all members, of the weaknesses and strengths of each proposal were evaluated, the Senate decided to adopt the proposal presented by the members of the Senate from the University School of Health Sciences.

It is estimated that there is a high transmissibility of the Delta mutation of the virus which leads to an outbreak of cases, especially among those who do not have immunity through vaccination or disease. As a result, the number of those who will need hospitalization is expected to be far beyond the strength of the health system, which is now threatened to collapse. Therefore, it was decided to implement a protocol that creates security conditions for those who return to the University premises, and for it not to contribute to the increase of cases and protects the health system and public health in general.

The best way to protect the individual and the health system is to be vaccinated and to acquire immunity from a very high percentage of the population (over 90% according to current data). However, according to data published by the Ministry of Health, immunity between the ages of 18-24 due to vaccination or disease is around 50%. The percentage is expected and we seek to increase, however, it is certain that on August 30, when the new students will arrive for the information week, and on September 6, when the physical classes start, we will not be at the point where the virus has turned into endemic to be able to function in physical presence without strict protocol and measures.

With such a low level of immunity among the student population and due to the peculiarities of the operation of a University with scattered office buildings, halls, laboratories and other infrastructure in the center of Limassol, the planned restart of the University must be based on measures that are practically feasible.

Aiming at the reopening of our university with a physical presence, ensuring that all students without exception participate in the learning process in safe conditions for all and at the same time contributing to the general protection of the public health of the place, the Senate decided (briefly):

1. All courses will be taught by teachers who hold certificate of vaccination or disease by disease COVID-19
2. All students register and attend their classes
3. Students who have a certificate of vaccination or disease from COVID-19 disease participate in the courses with physical presence.
4. Students who do not hold a COVID-19 vaccination or disease certificate will attend their courses remotely, in accordance with the arrangements described in detail in the decision.
5. All final examinations will be done in person, with a safe pass , according to the current decrees of the Minister of Health.

The leadership of the University in the next few days will inform via teleconference both staff members and students about the protocol that has been decided and the practical arrangements. He will also have special meetings with the University Student Union.

The members of the university community, in the light of the decision of the Senate, are once again encouraged to proceed with vaccination by utilizing the walk in vaccination center that will operate next Friday, August 27, 2021, in the building "Tassos Papadopoulos". For expression of interest, here:

https://web.cut.ac.cy/limesurvey/index.php/912784?newtest=Y&lang=en

Below is the analytical protocol:

1) Courses offered, study and teaching    

 1.1 The courses will be offered with a physical presence of academic and students that have:

- a vaccination certificate for COVID-19 at least one dose, provided that three weeks have elapsed since the date of vaccination, or

- certificate of illness from the disease COVID-19 with effect six months from the date of sampling of the initial positive diagnosis

- a medical certificate stating that the person cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons. These people will be able to come to the university premises with a virus detection test with a capacity of 72 hours (PCR or rapid ) the financial cost of which is covered by the program of the Ministry of Health.

1.2 The following protective measures will apply:

- Use of mask indoors by everyone

- Use of hand antiseptic when entering and leaving the classroom by everyone

 - Open windows (where available) for ventilation of closed rooms

 - There should be an interval of at least 20 minutes between successive sections in the same room (it means that the windows, where they exist, will remain open).

- Every member of the community who is entitled to attend the University according to paragraph 1.1 to perform an optional virus detection test (PCR or rapid test ) at least once a week.

- It is understood that, given the above protection measures and 1.1 above, the capacity of each room / laboratory remains as it is normally.

1.3 For each course offered, under the responsibility of the instructor and utilizing the available distance learning tools, arrangements will be made so that all students have access to and participation in the learning process (eg posting notes of each course in moodle , online meeting with all students during office hours to discuss / resolve questions, up-to-date if possible and useful for the specific course or asynchronous course attendance, etc. ).

1.4 Students for any reason does not satisfy the condition 1.1 above, normally enrolling in classes, access and participation in the learning process, both in theoretical and laboratory part of each lesson, using the available distance learning tools, and the possibility of a weekly meeting via video conference with the teacher during his office hours to discuss and resolve questions. Students vaccinated, ill or may not choose to participate in distance classes, except during the period that they are self-isolation because positively diagnosed after viral screening (PCR or Rapid test ). Provided that students after the start of the course at any stage, qualifies as the  1.1 above can study with physical presence.

 1.5 Participation in practical / clinical training, which is separate from the University, is for everyone without exception with physical presence, based controls safe pass the legislation concerned sets. Participation in an internship / clinical practice on the University premises as well as access by members of the university community or the public to university buildings to which vulnerable people enter (eg Rehabilitation Clinic) is based on the conditions 1.1 and protection measures 1.2 are applied .

1.6 The final examination will be conducted by physical presence of all students, by having safe pass.

1.7 The possibility of distance learning and the arrangements described above will apply for the Fall Semester 2021-22. The University is not committed to continuing to provide this opportunity in the coming semesters. In any case a student cannot cover the largest part of the curriculum of / with remote attendance, particularly as regards  to practical practices in association with their degree.

1.8. Teaching staff who have not been vaccinated or have become ill, may not take up teaching duties during the Fall Semester. The course (s) are assigned to another person and the relevant teaching load of the faculty member / EEP is transferred as it should be in the next semester. If this continues, other measures will be taken.

1.9 Administrative staff that has not been vaccinated or sick during the Fall Semester can not perform duties that include activities such as student life and sports, student dormitories, student service center, library, etc. In such cases, temporary staff transfers are made from the Head of the Administrative Director.

 2. Arrangements for persons (students/instructors ) that have to self isolate.

2.1 A person who has symptoms of COVID-19 disease, even if he meets the mark 1.1 above or has a negative test but is within 4-7 days from the onset of symptoms (or as provided by the protocol of the Ministry of Health), he should limit himself and avoid attending University.

2.2 A person who is positive in the examination, informs the University (in a way to be determined by the Safety and Health Group) and limits himself for as long as the state health protocol provides. Also has to inform the instructor of the module.

2.3 A person who has been vaccinated or ill, if a case of contact is found can continue to visit the university premises normally. However, it is recommended to do the virus detection test (PCR or rapid test ).

2.4 Student that goes in self isolation, or because they have symptoms, either because is a case, can participate as long as necessary in distance learning process utilizing available tools provided by each course.

2.5 If teaching a course, should enter into self-imposed or because it has symptoms or because it is a confirmed case, pursued in order of the following steps:

• Any missed lectures need to be completed at a later stage before the end of the semester
• Temporary replacement and coverage of lectures by another faculty member (or other associate without financial burden for the University)
• Offer the courses remotely, for the period of time that will be needed and with the prior approval of the Rector's Council.

2.6 In the event that a student needs to isolate himself / herself to days that affect the final or intermediate exams, arrangements are made by each instructor, and can use incomplete grade option. The solution of the distance mid-term or final examination should be avoided and adopted only where deemed absolutely necessary.

2.7 For any case not described above, as either the student or instructor will need to be hospitalized for an extended period, power to take decisions is the Rector's Council.

3. Access to other places and activities of the University (beyond the learning areas)

3.1 All faculty members, research associates and administrative staff with a safe pass demonstration , as defined by state decrees, have the right of access to other premises of the University (office buildings, research laboratories, etc. ).

3.2 Participation in student life activities and sports is allowed only to those referred to in 1.1 above (vaccinated, those that had covid). The same applies to access to the Library's reading areas. The method of control is determined by the competent Service and is based on the procedures described in 4 below.

3.3 Accommodation in a dormitory is allowed with a safe pass check , as defined by the competent Student Service. Students who have been considered eligible for residency for 2021-22 and will choose distance learning, have the right until September 15, 2021 to cancel the contract they may have signed with a refund of any tuition fees they may have paid.

4. Access control mechanism

4.1 A special Safety and Health Group is established, with the responsibility of coordinating and implementing, in cooperation with other executives of the University, the implementation of the health protocols and decrees of the state as well as the relevant decisions of the University. Team members are:

• Costas Hoppas , Director of Administration and Economics, Coordinator
• Neophytos Loukaidis, Senior Senior Officer, Deputy Coordinator in case of absence of Director
• Antonis Vrasidas, Senior Officer of Student Services
• Gabriel Panis , Senior Officer of the Technical Services
• Katerina Fragoulidou , Senior Officer of Human Resources
• Dionysis Kazamias, Senior Officer of Rectors’ Office
• Emilios Antoniou, Safety and Health Officer

4.2 The access control to the course is done as follows:

4.2.1 Each student that wishes to participate in courses with a physical presence in the Fall Semester 2021-22,can submit a solemn declaration in electronic form and attach the Digital Certificate EU COVID (EU Digital Covid Certificate ) showing either vaccination or recovery from COVID-19 disease. The certificate is inspected by an individual designated by the Team and is destroyed within 48 hours of receipt. Alternatively, student / three can inform, attaching the certificate by email in restart@cut.ac.cy or pass the CRC YSFE to show the certificate.

The relevant statements must be made before the 30th of August for the new students who will come to the information week and before the 6th of September for the students who will come in the first week of the courses.

4.2.2 Responsibility Safety and Health Group the list of registered students / mation each course that will give every responsible / the course, will have sole indication for students that have been tested and are entitled to be in the halls.

4.2.3. Each instructor will be empowered to ensure that the students that are in his / her class are permitted to stay in the room. It is understood that the lists should be kept up to date under the responsibility of the Safety and Health Team.

4.2.4 Under the responsibility of the Safety and Health Team, a number of Administrative Staff members will be appointed who will be in the teaching areas of the University during the first 2 weeks of the courses of the Fall Semester 2021/2022, to support our students and academics in implementing the decision .

4.2.5 Everyone eligible to enter the University's learning and teaching areas always has with them the European Digital Covid Certificate of the European Union (EU Digital Covid Certificate ) which shows either vaccination or recovery from COVID-19 disease. Must also have proof of identification (political identity card or passport or student ID for students).

4.2.6 A student who is checked and located at the University and is not entitled, will immediately be removed with instructions of authorized officers.

4.2.7 A student who is checked and located at the University for a second time to be in place at the University and is not entitled, is considered that he/she commits a serious disciplinary offense, will immediately be removed with instructions of authorized officers and referred to the Disciplinary Control Commission (EIA) of the University, which will meet within 48 hours to investigate the offense.

4.2.8 Under the responsibility of all / Group Safety and Health officials, the teaching personnel  will be checked before the September 6, 2021 to satisfy the requirements of 1.1 above (certificate of vaccination or disease ).

4.3. The access control to the other premises and activities of the University (note 3 above) is done as follows:

4.3.1 For members of Academic (Faculty, SPD and EU) and Research Staff

4.3.1.1 Every member of the Academic (Faculty, Faculty and Faculty) and Research Staff must hold a safe pass in order to be eligible to enter other premises of the University. It must also have proof of identification (political identity, or passport).

4.3.1.2 Checking of safe pass for Academic and Research Staff may conduct:

- The safety and health team and the authorized officials of the University

- The President of the respective department may at his / her discretion request a safe pass from the academic members of his / her department

- Academic managers (in terms of having a safe pass from their research associates).

4.3.2 For Administrative Staff

4.3.2.1 Each member of the Administrative Staff must have a safe pass in order to be entitled to enter other premises of the University. It must also have proof of identification (political identity, or passport).

4.3.2.2 Checking of safe pass for Administrative Staff may conduct:

- The safety and health team and the authorized officials of the University.

- The Head or Senior Officer of each Administrative Service for its staff

- The Head of YAD or the Senior Officer of YAD for members of the Board in Schools / Departments / Rectorate

4.4 The Rector, the Vice Rectors and the Director of Administration and Economics may in cases be necessary to request someone to show their safe pass by any member of the university community, including persons not mentioned above, when it cannot be done by another authorized officer.

4.5 The persons who will be appointed for the above audits will be authorized by the Director of Administration and Economics and / or the Rector.

4.6 The Safety and Health Team will determine any additional practical details for the implementation of the above decision.

5. Facilities and information

5.1 The University will arrange, in consultation with the Ministry of Health and the Scientific Advisory Committee to prepare a plan that includes specific actions aimed at informing the staff and students on all issues related to the pandemic, as well as a series of facilities, as follows:

- Walk in a vaccination center when a sufficient number of interested members of the university community are gathered for the 1st vaccination dose

- rapid antigen detection test point ( rapid test ) on a daily basis so vaccinated /students there had COVID to make (optional) at least one examination per week.

- Establishment of a team of experts in health and behavior from the first weeks of the semester with the aim of the university listening and discussing the concerns of the university community regarding the virus, vaccines, etc.

6. Unforeseen

For anything not described above, the Rector's Council is responsible for making decisions. It is understood that in the event that the epidemiological data lead to a new decree that dramatically changes the regulations, the Senate will be called upon to take relevant decisions.