On Feb. 23, POSTECH announced that it will shift to face-to-face classes from the eighth week (April 11) of the Spring Semester.
As the vaccination rate in Korea reached 80%, the Ministry of Education has recommended universities to resume face-to-face classes, due to the concern of “accumulated learning deficits.”
From the midterm exam period, professors can choose between staying non-face-to-face or converting to face-to-face. The exact plan for each course will be announced by the individual course instructors. Students are allowed to move into the dormitories from March 31 to April 3. April 4 to April 8 is designated as an adaptation period for the face-to-face classes. For this period, students are recommended to follow quarantine guidelines at a self-quarantine level.
POSTECH has prepared various measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on campus. For a confirmed COVID-19 case, the relevant course can operate by either switching to online for a week or by providing supplementary lectures after pausing the classes for a week. Students who have tested positive must attend non-face-to-face classes. If students display symptoms of COVID-19 or become close contacts of confirmed positive cases, the course should operate online or face-to-face based on the professor’s decision. The student with symptoms must attend the classes non-face-to-face, and students who became close contacts should be in quarantine for three days and must attend the classes non-face-to-face. For all the cases above, an excused absence is permitted.
As the shifting of classes to face-to-face was preannounced this semester, “W” (withdrawal) marks will remain on the student’s transcript if a student withdraws from a course. However, a special petition for withdrawal of courses due to COVID-19 will be admitted throughout the semester. For students who were unable to attend classes or complete their course requirements due to COVID-19 related issues, they may have their course withdrawal petition granted by applying for a withdrawal of courses before the end of the semester. These special petitions should be submitted to the student’s affiliated department office.
The safety rules to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in face-to-face classes are as follows: All members must comply with basic daily quarantine measures such as wearing face masks at all times and frequently using hand sanitizers. Instructors should strictly abide by COVID-19 prevention measures such as regularly cleaning and ventilating classrooms and checking the condition of quarantine supplies regularly.
Depending on the COVID-19 situation, the academic policies may change.