‘Why Is HSE Not Going Fully Online?’ And Other Questions about Module 2 Classes

For the second module, all lecture courses at HSE University have been moved online. In addition, HSE students attend classes on campus no more than three days a week. We sent students’ most frequent questions about course instruction formats to the Degree Programmes Department.

Why is HSE not going fully online?

Even before the pandemic and all its consequences, HSE has enjoyed a strong remote work culture. When the need arose to move classes online in the spring, the university actively and successfully implemented technologies that we are now continuing to use in hybrid form. With the precautions taken at HSE by our staff and students, a full online transition is not necessary at the current moment. However, we are monitoring the situation on a daily basis and are ready to respond quickly to ensure the safety of all of our campus members.

Things change very quickly. Could you please describe the decision-making process for transferring students to online or in-person instruction? What data informs your decision, who makes the decision, and how is everything discussed?

The decision to transfer a student to an online format for an individual curriculum for personal reasons rather than medical reasons is made by that student’s academic supervisor. The academic supervisor is guided by the rules developed by the academic council of the academic programme. These rules vary from programme to programme. If there is a significant share of students who would like to study online out of their own free will or for long-term medical reasons, then the academic council of the programme can initiate a full transfer of that group to an online format. There have been only a few cases of this at the University.

When a transfer to online instruction is made for medical reasons (when a student falls ill with COVID or has come into close contact with someone who is infected, and it is necessary for the student to self-isolate), then the decision is not optional. There are strict university-wide instructions that outline the protocol in these cases: students and teachers are notified, the schedule is adjusted, and other steps are taken.

Some programmes now have hybrid days, which has resulted in some students having back-to-back online and in-person classes. Is this how it is supposed to work? After all, if a student has back-to-back classes and one of them is online, they nonetheless end up attending that class outside of their home. Is there a way students in this situation can leave feedback?

Scheduling is a multifaceted process that includes many factors. There is also a break between offline and online classes. Students always have at least one class scheduled during their commute home or to university. Even if the student does not have the opportunity to get home after an in-person class, every campus building has classrooms for independent work, where you can sit down and attend an online lecture.

It is important to understand that hybrid days are a necessary measure, and on the Moscow campus they make up only 13% of all classes on the schedule.

Of course, HSE students always have the opportunity to leave feedback. First of all, you need to contact your programme office and/or your programme manager. You can also contact the Degree Programmes Department and send a question to Elena Kabaeva: ekabaeva@hse.ru

HSE allows students to do individual curricula if they cannot attend classes in person. What is the procedure in this case?

The procedure for those who cannot attend in-person classes is described in a special section of the HSE Academic Handbook.

Can students who are in good health, but do not wish to attend classes due to personal reasons (they prefer to avoid public transport during the pandemic or they live with elderly relatives) do an individual curriculum?

Formally, this is not a basis for switching to distance learning and issuing an individual curriculum. However, students can talk to their academic supervisor, and they will decide on the advisability of switching to an online format. Each case will be considered individually.

Currently HSE is taking all the necessary measures in accordance with the current situation. Thus, the schedule for the second module is based on the full-time presence of students no more than three days a week, and in some programmes, no more than one or two days a week.

In addition, wearing a mask is obligatory in HSE buildings. It is important to understand that something as simple as using personal protective equipment affects the safety of everyone around you.

October 27, 2020