Newsletter from the President of Aix-Marseille University
to the entire university community
Dear Colleagues,
Now that the national deconfinement has allowed us to move around more freely for a week, we are ready to embark on the 2nd phase of our business recovery plan.
We have just finished preparing our sites to reopen for some activities. A big thank you to all our colleagues in logistics and technical services, in particular, who have worked so hard. Some of you will be able to return to the office very gradually, in complete health safety, from Monday 18 May, as agreed.
I would like to remind you that teleworking remains the rule, as set out in our Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP). You must indicate your wish to return to work, which must be accepted and organised by your line manager, who in turn will liaise with your campus manager or with the DGS for central services. It's a question of good organisation, without taking any health risks, for everyone's health.
A document explaining the principles of our PRA very clearly mentions the health instructions, which I would like to thank you again for respecting.
I have passed on to you the thanks that the Minister for ESRI has sent to all academics for our unfailing commitment over the last two months.
I would also like to pay tribute to your energy in serving students to guarantee their e-learning without compromising their future, your combativeness in research to try and combat the virus, and your generosity in organising numerous solidarity actions for the benefit of all, whether for students, colleagues in difficulty, care staff or any colleague needing to maintain social links in the face of the sudden halt to our normal rhythms. This mobilisation has been covered and commented on several times by the press and praised by many people from all walks of life.
This ordeal has truly demonstrated the strength of our AMU community in overcoming difficulties, without losing sight of our public service missions or the human values we hold dear.
I'm proud of your resilience, your creative solidarity and your professional commitment, which we must now put to work to ensure the success of our recovery plan.
Always take good care of yourself.
1. The main principles of the Business Resumption Plan (BRP)
Respecting the key words "progressive and voluntary", the main principles of our PRA were drawn up in collaboration between members of the governance, the components and departments, the research units and widely discussed and shared with the members of the CHSCT. They are therefore the fruit of a co-construction with the staff representatives on this body. This is a great strength for AMU.
Everyone's health is our priority. This is why we are distributing 4 barrier masks to each AMU colleague hosted in a structure for which the AMU is responsible; alcohol-based gel and soap are available; special and regular cleaning of the premises is organised; plexiglass is installed for places open to the public, etc. You can find details of our health measures and all the instructions for use and behaviour to adopt in the following document "Main principles of the PRA". It also sets out our principles for the resumption of research activities, missions abroad, hosted structures, student internships in companies, cleaning of premises and supervision procedures for team leaders during this particular period: document "Main principles of the PRA".
2. How are working hours and holidays now managed?
Remote working remains the rule and should be encouraged for all tasks that allow it. At the same time, face-to-face working will be organised from Monday 18 May, gradually and on a voluntary basis. Not all activities can be teleworked, and the need for continuity of service must be taken into account. This return to our premises must be prepared and scheduled, and no colleague should go to the site on his or her own initiative or without informing his or her superiors.
In this context, depending on your personal situation, you will be placed or maintained on Special Leave of Absence (ASA).
If you are wondering about your situation and its consequences, or if you have any questions about the organisation of working hours and leave, you can find the full note from the HRD online in the FAQ dedicated to staff.
3. The AMU community manages the crisis - Seen in the press
Your work, your commitments, our decisions, your generosity... everything we have done together has not remained secret or confidential. Several hundred articles in the national and local press, both general and specialist, have reported on the work of our community. You can find some of them here: https://amubox.univ-amu.fr/s/cLMwTsc4AXQbPbK
This review is not exhaustive but reflects our commitment.
Many thanks to you all.
If we keep up our efforts, we'll be able to get back to work successfully, just as we managed the crisis in confinement: by remaining united.
Always take good care of yourself and everyone else.
Éric Berton
Chairman of Aix-Marseille University