VDU SA has published a position regarding the exam session and final theses defenses
Since Vytautas the Great University has not yet officially announced how the spring semester will end, the Student Representation expresses its position regarding the exam session and the defense of theses remotely and encourages the administration to make a principled decision.
POSITION ON EXAM SESSIONS AND FINAL THESIS DEFENSES BY REMOTE METHOD
2020 05 19
Kaunas
The Student Representation of the Vytautas Magnus University (VDU SA), taking into account the current situation in the country and the world due to the Covid-19 pandemic, expresses its position regarding the 2020 conducting the spring semester exam sessions and final theses defenses remotely.
Since the first days of the quarantine announced by the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, studies at Vytautas the Great University have been conducted remotely in order to ensure that the study process is not interrupted. After moving lectures, seminars and other academic sessions to the virtual space, students faced various difficulties, but after responding to student comments, SA suggestions and survey results, the distance learning process was optimized.
Despite the sufficiently smooth organization of the study process, there remains uncertainty regarding the final settlements and the defense of theses. Currently, the University has not expressed an official position on how the spring semester will end. Uncertainty worries the entire academic community, and especially students. The university's decision to conduct audits would cause them both physical and psychological difficulties. Some of them have currently terminated their accommodation contracts with the University or private landlords, so returning to the auditoriums would be particularly difficult. In addition, although the quarantine conditions in Lithuania are relaxed, the threat of infection with Covid-19 remains real, which can cause additional stress.
We invite Vytautas the Great University to make a principled decision regarding the completion of the spring semester remotely, so that students can feel safe and do not face additional difficulties. The University has prepared both remote defense procedure descriptions and methodical recommendations for conducting settlements remotely, so we are confident that the University is more than ready to organize this semester's settlements in a high-quality way, so that students no longer have to return to the classrooms.
When making a decision, it is important to take into account exceptional cases: the specifics of performing arts and acting study programs, because it is not always realistic to implement remote payments. Students must be guaranteed the conditions to achieve the intended results of their studies, following all the recommendations of the Government and ensuring the smoothest possible settlement process that requires the least physical contact.
