Frequently Asked Questions - on COVID-19 and its implications at UFES
Find below a collection of frequently asked questions about the functioning of activities during the prevention period:
CAMPUSES OPERATIONS
- Is UFES closed?
No. However, from March 17th to December 31st, in-person classes for undergraduate and graduate courses, public events, and face-to-face meetings are suspended. Each administrative unit established its own functioning in this period posting it on their website.
- Will the university restaurant and cafeterias remain open?
No. All face-to-face activities on UFES campuses are suspended from March 17th to December 31st.
- Is the library working?
No. All face-to-face activities on UFES campuses are suspended from March 17th to December 31st, and the Central Library informs that, due to the suspension of face-to-face activities, all bibliographic works borrowed with a return date scheduled for that period may be returned when activities are back to normal. There will be no penalty charge on days when the institution does not open.
- Will the university hospital remain open?
Yes. The university hospital continues to operate normally.
- Will psychosocial assistance continue to work?
No. All face-to-face activities on UFES campuses are suspended from March 17th to December 31st.
- Have all campus events been canceled?
Yes. All face-to-face activities on UFES campuses are suspended from March 17th to December 31st.
- Are the gates locked?
The gates aren’t locked, however there will be no activities on campus.
- What about Ufes academic calendar?
In due time, the Rectorate will communicate to the academic community and the information will be available on the website www.ufes.br and will also be sent via institutional email.
HEALTH
- Where can I get up-to-date information on UFES' coronavirus status?
The university's institutional website is the official means of communication on the situation of UFES (www.ufes.br). In addition, the university created a website designed exclusively for information on the coronavirus (http://coronavirus.ufes.br/).
- What is UFES doing to protect the community?
The suspension of face-to-face activities aims to protect the community, preventing further spread of the virus. In addition, UFES created a website, available to the entire community, updated regularly, with information about the virus, ways of prevention and guidance on how to deal with the disease. (http://coronavirus.ufes.br/)
- What are the most up-to-date sources in the state, Brazil and the world about coronavirus?
Official websites of the Ministry of Health (https://coronavirus.saude.gov.br/) and the state government (https://www.es.gov.br/). In addition to these sites, the Ministry of Health has developed apps with prevention tips, description of symptoms, forms of transmission, map of health units and even a list of false news that have been disseminated on the subject. The application is available for users of both iOS and Android operating systems (https://www.unasus.gov.br/noticia/ministerio-da-saude-disponibiliza-apli...).
- How can I know if I should be tested for Covid-19? Where should I go?
If you have symptoms like fever, difficulty in breathing, fatigue, dry cough and/or diarrhea, call 156 (if you are in the city of Vitória) or 136 (if you are in other regions in the state of Espirito Santo) for guidance on what to do. At this number there are 20 nurses working daily, from 8 am to 10 pm.
https://m.vitoria.es.gov.br/imprensa/coronavirus
CLASSES
- Is it possible for us to take online classes, using some synchronous interaction tools (hangouts, skype, zoom, etc.)?
Ufes has approved remote learning:
http://internacional.ufes.br/en/ufes-approves-remote-learning-enrolment-...
- Are there any decisions about makeup classes?
According to the Resolution published by the Rector (http://ufes.br/sites/default/files/anexo/projeto_de_resolucao_-_suspensao_das_atividades.pdf), it will be up to the Senior Offices of Undergraduate and Graduate Courses to issue guiding norms for the re-planning of classes and other activities inherent to teaching, research and extension. The Senior Offices will make decisions widely available as soon as they are taken.
- Can I attend class in person since I live near campus?
No. All face-to-face activities at UFES are suspended from March 17th to December 31st, and the suspension period may be extended according to the future scenario.
- What happens if my Internet access is limited?
You should contact your professor or course coordinator to address particular situations.
- Since classes are suspended, can I travel?
No. This period should be for home isolation to prevent the virus from spreading.
- In case of online classes, how do I access the virtual platform?
The Information Technology Superintendence (STI) of UFES provides the Virtual Learning Platform that can be accessed at http://www.npd.ufes.br/ambiente-virtual-de-aprendizagem-ava
- What types of technical support are available for online classes?
Once you access the Virtual Learning Platform (AVA), the guidelines for each course are available.
- My graduation is scheduled for this semester. Can I use any virtual system (Skype, Hangout, etc.) to defend my term paper, dissertation or thesis?
Yes. Defenses and qualifications can be made via any virtual system (Skype, Hangout, etc.), following the guidelines in the normative resolution for defenses through videoconference (Normative Ordinance Nº 03/2020). You should contact your professor advisor and/or course coordinator for that.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AT UFES AND BRAZILIANS ABROAD
- Can I cancel my academic mobility abroad and return to Brazil?
If this is your wish, you should contact the Outgoing Mobility Division immediately (mobilidade.internacional [at] ufes.br).
- Can I cancel my academic mobility at Ufes and return to my country of origin?
If this is your wish, you should contact the Incoming Mobility Division immediately (incoming [at] ufes.br).
- Have the calls for mobility abroad been canceled?
The Outgoing Mobility Division is assessing the situation of partner universities on a daily basis. News regarding the open calls will be published on our website (www.internacional.ufes.br).
- If I return to UFES this semester, will I miss the semester?
Not necessarily. If you wish to return, you must contact the Outgoing Mobility Division as soon as possible (mobilidade.internacional [at] ufes.br).
- If classes at the foreign university are extended to 2020/2, what would the situation be like for students who return?
Such situations will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. The Outgoing Mobility Division will be ready to support you when the time comes.
- As the classes at the foreign university are online, can I go back to Brazil and continue taking the online classes at the foreign university?
If this is your wish, you should contact the Outgoing Mobility Division (mobilidade.internacional [at] ufes.br), but remember that you cannot have 2 active enrollments in the same semester.
RESEARCH AND LABS
- Will my research activities be affected?
The Research and Graduate Majors Senior Office has published some guidelines for research labs during this period of COVID-19 prevention. Everything that is possible to be postponed should be, and only essential activities should be carried on. You should contact your professor/advisor about the matter.
