COVID-19: Update on the Measures Taken by the University of Montpellier

[Article] - Published on March 25, 2020 in Environmental Issues and Social Responsibility, Health, Social Issues & Disabilities

TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS

Wearing a mask is recommended in indoor spaces

As of March 14, 2022, wearing a mask is no longer mandatory. However, given the recent surge in COVID cases at the University, we feel it is important to strongly recommend wearing a mask indoors.

We would also like to remind you that safety precautions must be followed and that the premises should be ventilated as much as possible.

The pandemic is not over, and people infected with COVID—regardless of their age—may experience fatigue that can have a lasting impact on all aspects of their lives, as well as, in some cases, severe symptoms. It is therefore important that we remain vigilant.

Reminder of preventive measures:

Wash your hands frequently, greet others without shaking hands, avoid hugging, maintain a distance of at least 1 meter whenever possible, cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue, use a disposable tissue and throw it away, and avoid touching your face.

Special rules apply in the BIUs, SUAPS classrooms, cafeterias, etc.: please check for details.

SUSPECTED COVID OR TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID?

If you have COVID symptoms, call your primary care physician or a doctor.

If you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or who needs to be tested: call your primary care physician or a doctor to find out what steps to take.

If you have any questions about your program (class attendance, etc.), please contact your faculty, school, or institute.

For any medical questions—especially for students at risk of COVID—please contact the Preventive Medicine Department.

For any other questions: email.

41 ambassadors stationed at various campuses

Trained by the Joint Service for Preventive Medicine and Health Promotion (SCMPPS), these 41 students are stationed at various University of Montpellier campuses to provide you with information and remind you of the preventive measures.

Given the exceptional circumstances, let’s keep in mind that the government’s measures are intended to protect everyone’s health. We should limit close physical contact between people.

Getting Back to Normal: One Solution—Vaccination

COVID vaccination offers two levels of protection: individual and collective. It helps reduce the spread of the virus to those around us, and is currently the only way to protect ourselves against severe forms of the disease. University is a place where we constantly interact with others, so it is important to achieve the highest possible vaccination coverage among both students and staff.

There will be several opportunities to get vaccinated over the next few days at three university locations.

The approved schedule is provided below. You may come in without an appointment.

If you're unsure, you can also just get advice on vaccination without necessarily getting vaccinated. The Carte Vitale, for those who have one, is required.

We hope you will take advantage of this program, which has been set up directly within our university, so that this academic year can take place in person.

First dose
: At the MDE Triolet on October 7, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., no appointment needed
: At the MDE Richter on October 14, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., no appointment needed

1st and 2nd doses
, Pharmacie le site, October 12, 11:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m., no appointment needed
, MDE Triolet, October 18, 11:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m., no appointment needed

You can also download the addresses of the various vaccination centers located near the University of Montpellier’s campuses and throughout the Occitanie region.

Information for Staff and Students

Regulatory Acts

• Decision NoUM the Wearing of Masks on the University of Montpellier’s Mende Campus
• Decision NoUM the Wearing of Masks on the University of Montpellier’s Perpignan Campus
• Prefectural Order of the Hérault Department
• Prefectural Order for the Gard Department

Information for Students Effective November 2, 2020

Visits toUM Campuses

To attend hands-on training sessions, access the university libraries, health services, etc.

You must bring the following:

• a travel authorization form available on the Ministry of the Interior’s website or on the “Tous Anti-Covid”app. Check the reason “Travel between home and the place of work or an educational or training institution; business travel that cannot be postponed; travel for a competitive exam or test.”
• a valid form of identification,
• Bring documentation from the institution proving that the trip in question falls within the scope of authorized cases.

Health

To help you cope better with this lockdown:

• Your Preventive Medicine service remains open and is honoring scheduled appointments for medical checkups and/or specialized consultations (psychology, nutrition). To schedule an appointment, contact your local office; contact information is available at www.umontpellier.fr/campus/sante-social-handicap. Consultations are preferably in person, but telephone consultations are also available. Our team is implementing all necessary health and safety measures to ensure your safety during your visit.
• The University Health Center (CSU) is open, by appointment only, during its regular hours (10 a.m.–2 p.m. and 3 p.m.–6:30 p.m.), and is providing all in-person consultations: medical, psychological, and gynecological. For students who are already patients, teleconsultations are available. Contact: 04.11.28.19.79 or by email.
• A toll-free number is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to answer your questions about COVID-19: 0.800.130.000
  For emergencies, call 15.

Disability

The Handiversité office and the Occupational Health office are available to answer your questions regarding accommodations for exams and/or coursework, access to digital course materials, and more…

• Contact the Disability Services Office
• Contact the Preventive Medicine Department

Financial Difficulty

Whether or not you are a student receiving a scholarship,UM the CROUS are continuing to provide financial aid, including emergency assistance.

The Student Life Office of the Campus Life Department works in collaboration with the CROUS social services department to provide you with support.
To request one-time emergency assistance, click here.

• Contact CROUS
• Contact the Student Life Office

Digital Access

UM its students with free licenses for Zoom Education and Microsoft Office 365 Education.

Zoom Education allows you to hold online meetings for educational purposes or for personal collaborative projects.

Microsoft Office 365 Education provides access to Teams, the Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.), and the OneDrive file storage service. These tools can be used directly online (select the A1 license) or downloaded (select the A3 license).

To access these tools, log in to your UM digital learning platform UM ent.umontpellier.fr), go to the "Teaching" tab, and click the ZOOM and TEAMS/OFFICE 365 icons.

Digital equipment:

If you do not have a computer, you can contact your academic department, school, or institute, which may have come up with some solutions. Computers are also available at the university libraries (by appointment). The Student Life Office is available to help you find a solution.

UM University LibrariesUM Open by Appointment

The university libraries are open by appointment only to allow you to return or borrow materials and equipment, as well as to work on site.

To ensure the safety of both users and staff, health and safety measures and the rules for using the collections and spaces in the university libraries have been updated. It is everyone’s responsibility to comply with these measures, including wearing a mask, practicing preventive hygiene measures, and maintaining physical distancing.

How do I make an appointment?

Information / Guidance / Career Placement

SCUIO-IP continues to answer all your questions.

Find all their services, phone numbers, and social media accounts at scuioip.umontpellier.fr

Email Contact

Student Organizations

The Student Life Office remains committed to supporting your initiatives, particularly those aimed at combating social isolation during the lockdown.
Email contact

If you have any questions regarding these provisions, students from the Office of Student Life are available to assist you.
Email contact

Message from the President, September 16, 2020, to Students

Dear students,

We are delighted to have you back on campus for the start of the new academic year. However, since the COVID-19 pandemic has not shown any signs of abating, enhanced precautionary measures are necessary.

Wearing a mask is now mandatory on all University campuses, for everyone, everywhere—both indoors and outdoors. Failure to comply with the mask requirement constitutes a violation of the University’s internal regulations and may result in disciplinary action. As a one-time exception, the University will provide you with two washable masks. Distribution is currently being handled by each Faculty, School, or Institute.

If you are at potential risk of developing a severe form of COVID, you must consistently wear medical-grade masks, which may require a doctor’s prescription.
Students who have a documented medical condition that makes them vulnerable to COVID, as confirmed by a medical certificate, may request academic accommodations—similar to those granted for disabilities—by contacting the Preventive Medicine Service via email.

In addition to wearing a mask, preventive measures must always be followed carefully; it remains very important to wash your hands frequently, and to that end, numerous hand sanitizer dispensers have been installed at various locations.

If you test positive for COVID, if you’ve had close contact* with someone who tested positive for COVID, or if you’re experiencing COVID symptoms, we urge you to contact your primary care physician as a matter of priority to find out what steps to take. If you don’t have a doctor, you can call 0 800 130 000 (toll-free) to be referred to a general practitioner. You can notify the COVID coordinators at your faculty, school, or institute —or the registrar’s office—of your situation by providing your phone number, date of birth, and the date you took a test (or plan to take one) or the date you first experienced symptoms. This information, shared with the Regional Health Agency, will help in the fight against the virus by breaking the chains of transmission. You can also consult the fact sheets from Santé Publique France (available for download at the end of this message).

The University’s departments (libraries, the Joint Office for Information, Counseling, and Career Services (SCUIO-IP), the Joint Department of Preventive Medicine and Health Promotion (SCMPPS), Handiversité, Art & Culture, the Joint Department of Physical Activities and Sports (SUAPS), and the Student Life Office) have come together to support you on a daily basis by operating in a way that closely resembles the “normal” functioning of a university.

Finally, while the start of the school year is usually a timefor festive events and orientation activities, we would like to remind you that organizing such events on the University of Montpellier campus is not permitted. Given the recent resurgence of the pandemic, we also strongly advise against organizing or participating in these types of events off campus. Such events are particularly conducive to the spread of the virus. We also remind you that hazing is a criminal offense punishable by 6 months in prison and a fine of 7,500 euros. It is strictly prohibited.

We know that the circumstances surrounding the start of this academic year are difficult for you. However, this should in no way dampen your motivation or your desire to succeed: together with the administrations of the academic departments, schools, and institutes, as well as the teaching staff, we are doing everything we can to ensure that your year goes as smoothly as possible.

We thank you in advance for your commitment to combating the spread of the epidemic and wish you a wonderful academic year.

Please accept, dear students, our best regards.

Philippe Augé
President of the University

Alexis Vandeventer
Student Vice President

* High-risk contact: any person who has had direct contact with a confirmed case in one of the following situations without effective protective measures (a surgical mask worn by the case or the contact, a general-purpose mask manufactured in accordance with the AFNOR standard or equivalent worn by both the case AND the contact, a face shield, or other physical barrier such as glass or Plexiglas):

• A student or teacher from the same class or group;
• Student, faculty member, or other staff:
  • who have shared the same living space (home, etc.) as the confirmed or probable case;
  • who have had direct, face-to-face contact with a confirmed case at a distance of less than 1 meter, regardless of the duration (e.g., conversation, meal, flirting, hugs, kisses). However, people encountered briefly in public spaces are not considered high-risk contacts;
  • who have provided or received hygiene or medical care;
  • having shared a confined space (office, meeting room, personal vehicle, etc.) for at least 15 minutes with a confirmed case, or having been face-to-face with a confirmed case during several episodes of coughing or sneezing.

View the fact sheets from Santé Publique France:

• I help limit the spread of the virus by following the proper guidelines
• I have had close contact with someone who has COVID-19
• I have symptoms of COVID-19

Message from the President on May 19, 2020, to Students

Dear students,

The gradual easing of lockdown restrictions in our country began on May 11. Although you will be away from campus until September, you remain our top priority. While exams have begun in many departments, issues such as internships, study abroad programs, and registration are all topics on which we are focusing, in collaboration with the deans of the academic units, schools, and institutes.

We are also particularly committed to addressing student financial insecurity.

We would therefore like to draw your attention to the one-time 200-euro grant offered by the government to assist, on the one hand, students who have lost a job or internship due to the COVID-19 crisis and, on the other hand, students from overseas territories who have remained in mainland France. This assistance is intended for students in their first degree program, whether or not they receive a scholarship. To apply, eligible students must complete a form available on the government’s website:
. Students from overseas territories may also benefit from negotiated rates for their return trip (https://bit.ly/2z1Oy2E).

But beyond these measures, the University of Montpellier remains fully committed to addressing this social emergency. The Solidarity and Student Initiative Development Fund (FSDIE) has therefore been supplemented to meet requests for exceptional financial aid. This aid program can be combined with assistance from the government or the CROUS to help students in need cover their living expenses. All the information is available online here.

In addition, for those of you who, due to financial constraints, are unable to access digital services, the University of Montpellier is offering special financial assistance to help you sign up for an internet plan, change your current subscription, or purchase a 4G dongle. To take advantage of this assistance, please contact theUM Student Life Office.

In addition, the various university services are available to assist you: if you wish to see a healthcare professional (doctor, psychologist, etc.), you can contact the Joint Office for Preventive Medicine and Health Promotion or the University Health Center (CSU) in Montpellier by scheduling an appointment at 04.11.28.19.79 or by email.

More information about student life can be found on the university's website

We remain by your side thanks to the dedication of our faculty and administrative staff, who are working hard to keep campus life going, even remotely.

Please accept, dear students, our best regards.

Philippe AUGÉ
President of the University

Alexis VANDEVENTER
Student Vice President

Message from the President, March 30, 2020, to Students

Dear Students,
In light of the lockdown—the only way to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus—our University has taken steps to continue fulfilling its essential missions to the best of its ability, particularly its mission to provide you with a quality education.

Many issues remain sensitive: the suspension of professional placements—particularly internships—the digital divide, and social challenges continue to pose problems. In collaboration with the deans of the academic units (UFRs), schools, and institutes, and thanks to the commitment of our teaching teams and administrative staff, we are doing everything possible to provide you with the most appropriate educational solutions. Please continue to check your university email for information on the various initiatives organized by your department. We know that the question of how exams will be conducted is one of your main concerns. This is understandable. We are working on various scenarios even though we have no idea when the University will be able to resume its normal activities. We ask for your patience.

Such a major upheaval in the organization of your studies and in your personal life, given the current difficult circumstances, can lead to distress, anxiety, and isolation; however, as we have repeatedly emphasized, social distancing should not mean social isolation.

In this email, we would like to outline the measures put in place by our university’s departments and services to support you during this challenging time in the areas of student life, health, disability, financial aid, career services, library resources, culture, and sports.

We will also support student initiatives aimed at combating social isolation.

Sadly, our campuses are empty, but we remain by your side.

We know you are resilient in the face of adversity, and our thoughts go out especially to those of you who are currently doing clinical rotations in hospital departments, as well as to those who are facing a difficult situation.

Please accept, dear students, our best regards.

Philippe AUGE
President of the University

Alexis VANDEVENTER
Student Vice President

Message from the President, March 20, 2020, to Students

Dear students,

Following announcements by the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, and the Government, a lockdown has been implemented, effectively leading to the suspension of in-person classes. In light of this unprecedented situation, the University of Montpellier is fully committed to developing measures designed to enable you to continue your academic life as smoothly as possible. First and foremost, let us keep in mind that these measures are being implemented to protect everyone’s health and that, as such, the use of remote communication tools must be the norm.

Our primary goal has been to ensure educational continuity despite the pandemic. To achieve this, the deans of the UFRs, schools, and institutes are in daily contact with the academic administrators and remain your primary points of contact in this area.

I am also aware of your concerns regarding internships and upcoming exams. Please know that the decisions and measures that will be taken in consultation with the deans reflect our commitment to supporting you so that this pandemic does not negatively impact your studies in any way and so that equal opportunity is upheld.

This applies to all students, and particularly to students with disabilities, for whom the Handiversité service remains available. Similarly, we are working with the Ministry to find solutions for students who may be stranded abroad.

In addition, SCUIO-IP continues to answer all your questions about career guidance and job placement. You can find information about our services and contact us by email.

Beyond these educational issues, the times we are living through can be a source of anxiety, worry, and distress.

Social distancing, which is often talked about, should not lead to social isolation.

In consultation with the university’s Student Vice President, Alexis Vandeventer, I therefore decided that a number of initiatives should continue or be launched.

As such, access to the Joint Documentation Service’s online resources and services remains available viathe digital campus platform (the “Library” tile). This is already the case for the books, journals, and databases you are currently using, and over the course of next week, additional resources—including novels and comic books—will become available. Online courses and tutorials on how to conduct research are available on Moodle or on the University of Montpellier’s channel. Personalized research assistance sessions (appointments with a librarian) and a remote Q&A service are available via email.

Similarly, if you’d like to continue enjoying cultural offerings during the lockdown, we have content for you to explore, read, and listen to on the University of Montpellier’s “Art & Culture” Facebook page.

In the coming days, the University Physical Activity and Sports Department will share a number of tutorials designed to help you stay active and relax.

Student organizations affiliated with the Office of Student Life are also here to listen and offer support if you’re feeling isolated.

If you have any medical concerns, you can contact the Joint Office for Preventive Medicine and Health Promotion (SCMPPS). Your message will be forwarded to a healthcare professional. The University Health Center (CSU) in Montpellier also remains open and continues to provide medical and psychological consultations. You can make an appointment by calling 04.11.28.19.79.

Finally, the CROUS is continuing its emergency assistance program for students who need it.

No matter the situation, the Campus Life Office is here to guide and support you.

In closing, I would like to assure you of the University of Montpellier’s full solidarity and support in the face of this major crisis.

Please accept, dear students, my best regards.

Philippe AUGE
President of the University

"Tous Anti Covid" App

Launched on October 22, 2020, the “TousAntiCovid” is designed to help notify people who have been in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 and to speed up their care. This new app complements existing preventive measures.

A university committed to combating the spread of the COVID-19 virus

Scientific potential

Through the CEMIPAI service laboratory, which is one of the largest Level 3 microbiological safety research facilities in France, the University of Montpellier and the CNRS offer the scientific community the opportunity to work in a controlled environment with infectious biological samples and Class 3 biological agents, such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis viruses, and mosquito-borne viruses (Chikungunya, Dengue, Zika), pathogenic bacteria, and prions.

CEMIPAI collaborates, in particular, with researchers fromthe Montpellier Institute for Research (IRIM / UM, CNRS), those from the multidisciplinary research unit on Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic Infections (PCCI / Inserm, UM, EFS) on the topic of antibodies, and with researchers fromthe Max Mousseron Institute of Biomolecules (IBMM / CNRS, UM, ENSCM).

Solidarity with healthcare workers and patients

In solidarity with healthcare workers and patients, the University is organizing a drive within its research laboratories to collect medical supplies (protective masks, gloves, lab coats) for the Montpellier University Hospital. This initiative is being coordinated university-wide by Prof. Jacques Mercier, Vice President for Research.

Measures Implemented by the University of Montpellier

Additional Information

• Coronavirus information on the government's website.
• Contacts at the University of Montpellier: email.

Various local, national, and international studies are currently underway on issues related to lockdowns. We invite you to participate:

Study on the Impact of Quarantine on Students' Mental Health (National Center for Resources and Resilience (CN2R))

The research team at the National Center for Resources and Resilience, supported by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research Innovation, aims to assess the impact of quarantine on the mental health of college students. To do so, we need your participation.

To ensure that this study is representative and relevant, we invite you to complete the various questionnaires sent out throughout the study. You will be asked to participate on several occasions (monthly during the lockdown if it is extended, and then approximately every three months) for a period of one year starting from the beginning of the national lockdown. The questionnaires are anonymous; your identity will not be revealed at any time.

If you feel unsettled or are having difficulty while completing the questionnaire or after you have finished, please do not hesitate to ask for support. Information is available on the website of the National Center for Resources and Resilience (CN2R). You can also contact the national medical and psychological support and care service at the toll-free number available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (0 800 130 000) or your primary care physician. In case of an emergency, call the SAMU-centre 15 by dialing 15.

• Participate in the study and complete the first questionnaire (it takes less than 15 minutes to complete)

Confins Cohort

Share your thoughts on the lockdown and your health, and help advance research and knowledge about the coronavirus: www.confins.org

The CONFINS study is a collaborative research project aimed at better understanding the impact of the coronavirus pandemic—commonly known as COVID-19—and the lockdown on your well-being and mental health. We also want to better understand your opinions and concerns about this pandemic, its treatments, and vaccines.

Opinions and Attitudes Toward Coronavirus (COVID-19) Lockdown Measures – General Public

This survey is being conducted by a research team from MONTPELLIER RECHERCHE EN ECONOMIE (MRE, University of Montpellier).

• Access the questionnaire

Keywords: COVID-19, Health, University