In continuity with what has already been resolved in the previous sessions, in compliance with the Transitional Norms for the Application of the Apostolic Constitution ‘Veritatis gaudium’ given the socio-health situation created due to the epidemiological emergency caused by Covid-19, issued by the Congregation for Catholic Education on 6 May, and confirmed on 15 June 2020, Norms of Application of the Apostolic Constitution Veritatis gaudium for the coming Academic Year, in order to provide the academic community and all interested parties with useful information in view of the academic year 2020/2021, the Council of the Salesian Pontifical University (20 May and 17 June 2020) and the Academic Senate (24 June 2020) have approved and confirmed the following resolutions.
1. Regular academic activity
During the new academic year 2020/2021, the Salesian Pontifical University ensures the regular running of the academic activity.
2. Teaching methods
The teaching will take place either in an ordinary way, with the lessons held in the presence of students and teachers, or in a remote way, according to the academic calendar and time-table already programmed. The in-presence teaching on the university campus will be organized taking into account the indications and prescriptions issued by the government and health authorities regarding the safety of people and environment.
3. Confirmation of the methods already tested regarding teaching and on-line exams
Since “remote teaching” represents a valid complement that “may be used partially and for particular situations” during the academic year 2020/2021, the Salesian Pontifical University will keep active the possibility of using “remote teaching”, and will consider valid the procedures already tested for the online defense of theses and for online exams, possibly improving on them in view of their greater effectiveness and functionality, primarily for those who for proven reasons cannot be present on the university campus.
4. Organization of courses
It will be the task of each of the Faculties, with the close collaboration of the General Secretariat, and applying the principle of flexibility, to verify and establish how the teaching of each course will be organized concretely and how the teaching will take place, informing the interested students in time.
5. Registration and admission test
The enrollment procedures for the new academic year 2020/2021, according to the scheduled calendar, and the respective admission tests, where required, will take place online.
6. Italian language
As regards the knowledge of the Italian language, the Salesian Pontifical University confirms what has already been established with regard to the required linguistic levels, and suggests, among others, the offer of ProLingua International with which an agreement has been made for the facilitated access to the UNIPONT platform. In any case, it will be the task of the heads of each Faculty to verify - also electronically - the documentation presented, and take the appropriate decisions in this regard.
7. Summer period
To encourage study and research activities, and the regular organization of the autumn exam session, together with the fulfillment of the procedures and activities related to the beginning of the new academic year 2020/2021, the Salesian Pontifical University will be committed during the summer of 2020, in ways that will be possible and allowed, to a continuous functioning of its Centers, Offices and Services with the presence of those who are responsible, for the accessibility of resources and to the opening of the Don Bosco Library.
8. Academic fees
While keeping unchanged the academic fees already fixed, the Salesian Pontifical University, through the Student Aid Commission and the Pro Universitate Don Bosco Onlus Association, will seek to increase the quota made available for the academic year 2020/2021 to respond to the requests for academic fees reduction and study support for the most needy students.
