Presided by the Principal of the Universitat de València M. Vicenta Mestre, the meeting was organised following the assembly of the president of the Valencian government (Generalitat Valenciana); the regional minister for Public Health, Ana Barceló; the regional minister for Education, Research, Culture, and Sport, Vicent Marz; and the regional minister for Innovation, Universities, Science, and Digital Society, Carolina Pascual. In its official communication, the Valencian government announced the application of “extraordinary measures” of “sustension of teaching activities at all educational levels starting from Monday 16 March.”

As such, the principal and the board of directors of the Universitat de València explained the established measures, analysed the immediate consequences of this announcement, evaluated the channels of internal and external communication, and dwelled upon different future scenarios. In case of returning to normal university activity following the academic calendar, the UV management pointed out the importance of clear instructions and established communication channels, through which various university services and management entities should receive information, in the fields of teaching, research, and university administration.

The principal affirmed that “the week following the meeting shall see no teaching activities as planned in our academic calendar” and added that “if the situation does not change, on 23 March we will direct the Teaching and Research Staff (PDI) and Administration and Services Staff (PAS) to the university centres and Central Services to enforce an online teaching phase.”

Upon returning from the public holidays in line with the academic and working calendar approved by the Government Council of Valencia for the year 2019-2020, the university will implement online teaching activities, as well as remote economic and administrative management. The problems of those most vulnerable to the situation and the possible solution contexts shall be considered as well. “We want to give a solid answer to all the problems that may arise from this situation in every university service,” affirmed the principal.

On 13 March, specific measures related to the Universitat de València www.uv.es web applications and to the separate space www.uv.es/coronavirus dedicated to the current situation were announced.