Information letter from the President of Aix-Marseille University to the entire university community
As you know, the end of confinement is approaching. While the date of 11 May represents a relief for some, others are anxious about the return to a more open social life. While the virus cannot yet be countered by treatment or vaccine, decontainment will be gradual within our AMU community, as it is in France and in many other countries. There is still a need to combat mass transmission of the CoVID-19 coronavirus.
Decontamination will therefore be accompanied by sanitary measures at all our sites, and the physical return to the offices will be staggered, taking into account the Business Resumption Plan (BRP) that we are currently finalising.
The key words here are simple: progressive and voluntary. Except for a few professions where presence is necessary because the activities cannot be carried out remotely, working from home remains the priority rule.
For those of you who wish to return to work using your usual tools, the aim is to be able to organise this in complete safety. For those of you who prefer to continue working remotely, or who are still constrained by disrupted family life rhythms, we need to be able to collectively maintain this organisation.
I wanted to share these principles with you now, because I know that many people are wondering about them. In addition, you will receive details of our business resumption plan in the next few days.
Our takeover principles will be broken down by campus, by component, by department and by laboratory. A detailed survey of needs by structure is underway. You will soon be informed by your managers of the precise arrangements for taking over (day, times, attendance).
We are in the midst of an unprecedented crisis, and therefore without a point of reference. The only certainty we have is that, for the time being and until the virus is brought under control, uncertainty reigns. Our decisions are designed to provide you with a safe and secure framework to guarantee the continuity of our public service activities, which are fundamental for the future. But we have to recognise the changing nature of the situation and the need to adapt to it, for the good of us all. So far, we have managed to stay united and mobilised, thanks to your commitment, your generosity and your sense of responsibility. I'm convinced that I can count on each and every one of you to help us achieve our goal of decontamination by the autumn.
Always take good care of yourself.
1. Return to site: on a voluntary basis and remote work recommended
We now have to accept that living and working conditions will deteriorate at least until the summer holidays. It will take time for our entire community to return to face-to-face work, and this is not yet an option. The absolute priority remains your health and that of your loved ones. For those of you who carry out so-called "vital" tasks and who, I know, work from home with heart and energy, it will be possible to return to the office if you so wish, but you will have to adjust your working hours and modes of transport to respect the physical distance between colleagues.
On the other hand, for those of you who still have family commitments, who prefer not to expose yourselves to physical social contact yet, or who are not a priority in our PRA, I recommend that you continue working remotely throughout May and envisage a gradual return, spread out over a period until the start of the new academic year in September.
In all cases, the return to the classroom will be organised from 11 May for the whole of the flying week but, on the specific day of Monday 11 May, no staff will be admitted to the site. Your managers will inform you of the possible date of your return.
As a reminder, students will not be returning to their campuses until September, as announced by the President of the Republic.
2. Back on site: health measures are guaranteed
We have organised the cleaning and disinfection of offices and communal areas at all our 58 sites to ensure a safe return to work. Naturally, these hygiene measures will be carried out on a regular basis. Masks will be distributed to colleagues visiting the sites. These washable and reusable fabric masks, known as "barrier" masks, are designed to slow the spread of the virus by limiting the projection of droplets. Hydro-alcoholic gel and soap will be available in all sanitary areas. Soap is still the best way to clean hands, which is an essential barrier. Finally, we are installing protective Plexiglas on all reception desks where staff come into contact with the public.
3. Solidarity actions: protecting our carers
Personal protective equipment is the armour that healthcare professionals wear in the fight against COVID-19: masks, gloves, gowns. Unfortunately, not everyone is well equipped. While many individual initiatives are emerging to produce and collect this protection, it is vital to facilitate exchanges and speed up the transfer of this equipment to those in urgent need.
#Protegeons-nos-soignants is a movement of citizens from our university, research and hospital sectors, supported by numerous volunteers. The new platform connects anyone capable of producing and donating equipment with the healthcare professionals who need it. In this way, it enables anyone to take direct action with healthcare structures in need. Don't hesitate to contribute or share the information!
4. AMU committed to and recognised for sustainable development
The current crisis is challenging our relationship with the world in its health, economic, social and ecological dimensions. Sustainable development in the broadest sense is at the heart of the issue of a "post-crisis" world. You know the commitment that I and my governance team have - and I hope you do too - to putting people at the heart of our policies.
I am therefore very pleased with AMU's global position in the latest international THE (Times Higher Education) University Impact ranking, which is the only ranking to assess universities in relation to the 17 sustainable development goals defined by the United Nations. It measures the impact of universities on society, over and above their performance in research and teaching.
We're up 23 places on last year! AMU is ranked No. 1 in France and 20th out of 766 universities in 85 countries.
This is a magnificent performance that illustrates our ambitious policy in terms of sustainable development and CSR: gender equality, integration of disabilities and quality of life and work. A huge thank you to the teams who have been able to anticipate, implement and promote what is proving to be essential on a global scale. Well done to all of you. Let's keep up the good work!
5. Calls for projects and applications
To continue preparing for the start of the new academic year, the AMU Institutes have published several calls for proposals over the coming weeks: funding for interdisciplinary research projects, grants for doctoral students and thematic calls for proposals in the fields of Mechanics and Engineering, Neuroscience, Mathematics and Computer Science, Microbiology, Bioenergy and Biotechnology, and Cancer and Immunology. To apply, click here.
6. Keep fit!
As always, take up sport! It's good for your morale and your figure!
New activities are offered live on LES RENDEZ VOUS SPORT AMU. Also on the YOUTUBE LIST
To go even further...find new videos and lots of advice on the SPORT AMU website.
A big thank you to all the teams who work hard to keep us united, happy and fit during our confinement. More and more of you are turning up, and that's a great source of satisfaction.
7 . Keeping in touch and positive thoughts
- Following your contributions, the gallery of our "confined daily lives" has been expanded. To see the gallery, click here, and to add a contribution, click here. Many of you also took part in a "special confinement" competition for staff, and the names of the winners have been posted. A new game is being launched this week, so don't hesitate to enter, there are new prizes to be won so that you can enjoy your time away from confinement!
- Also worth discovering are the scientific video productions that have been posted on social networks every week since the start of the crisis, with the aim of "intelligent containment".
- Would you like to meet PhD students virtually and find out more about their research?
Here are 94 portraits of AMU members and as many scientific research topics that they explore with passion.
8 . In need of support? We're here to help
It's normal to feel anxious, to need a listening ear, help or medical answers. For our entire community, students and staff alike, our teams of doctors, psychologists, relaxation therapists and social workers are at your side.
Students, there is a single health number: 04 13 94 27 77. You can make an appointment by e-mail for a rapid teleconsultation with the professional you need.
For staff, doctors, occupational psychologists and secretaries can be contacted by e-mail depending on your campus of assignment:
- sumpp-campus-marseille-centre@univ-amu.fr
- sumpp-campus-aix@univ-amu.fr
- sumpp-campus-luminy@univ-amu.fr
- sumpp-campus-etoile@univ-amu.fr
- sumpp-campus-timone@univ-amu.fr
or by telephone between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday to Friday:
- Doctors: 04 13 94 22 58
- The occupational psychologist: 07 88 22 09 20
- Social workers: 04 13 94 64 64 (9am to 5pm).
Continue to take good care of yourself and everyone else.