Manifesto for a Public and Face-to-Face University

The pandemic by the COVID-19 and the state of alarm declared by the Government of Spain last March to stop the spread of the virus caused the suspension of the training. With the 2019-20 academic year coming to an end and the preparations for the 2020-21 academic year, the group of IDPs signing the manifesto wants to make a joint reflection, generating a multilateral dialogue for the benefit of all.

The manifesto includes the work of the teaching staff during these months in order to offer quality and serious non-attendance teaching. The signatories point out that the health emergency situation made clear the telematic deficiencies that the University of Navarra had been accumulating and the efforts of the PDI to adapt to this new teaching reality.

The signatories also point out that, in spite of the numerous communications sent as circulars, tutorials, etc, they have lacked effective support and mechanisms for direct and rapid computer assistance, since the orientations and offers of support have arrived late.

The manifesto also includes the problem related to privacy and the right to one's own image when using new virtual technologies, often through platforms managed by large international companies with strong commercial interests outside the control of the teaching staff and the University.

The document states that, in general terms, the current situation has led to an impoverishment of the student-teacher relationship, as communication has become more difficult and new, more complex and costly conflicts have arisen, such as working with very large groups, taking exams, grades or family reconciliation conflicts that have arisen.

With regard to the degree final dissertations and theses, they state that the closure of the libraries and access to the bibliography has made these processes very difficult. A similar situation has been experienced with the closure of the laboratories, which has damaged all experimental research activities.

The document is committed to interpersonal and direct interaction between teachers and students, since they assert that this is the relationship that allows for authentic (educational) training, beyond simple instruction.

In view of the limitations posed to curb the coronavirus pandemic, the signatories ask that the Contingency Plans be considered exceptional and limited only to the strict duration of the current emergency. They thus ask for face-to-face teaching for the coming vurs with the maximum health precautions.

At the same time, they ask that the University provide all its personnel, especially the IDP, with technical and material means to deal with telematic teaching.

In conclusion, the signatories end the manifesto by emphasising the desire that all the activity of the Universitat de València should be in a face-to-face manner in the terms expressed in order to guarantee equal opportunities and overcome the deepening of social fractures.

The PDI signing this manifesto invites those who wish to do so to sign it.

The complete manifesto can be read at the following link (not available in english).