As you may be aware, the Dutch government has decided to continue with a targeted lockdown until 28 April 2020. The government’s prohibition on gatherings remains in place until 1 June, capping meetings between 30 and 100 people. The government hopes that this and all other measures taken will help limit the ongoing impact of the Coronavirus COVID-19 and will assess the situation again in the week before 28 April.
Our plan has always been to follow the national guidelines. We must also comply with the ban on gatherings and groups, which has major implications for our open-structured educational floors and workshops.
As a result, we are extending the closure of DAE up to and including 1 June. When we reopen, it will be with access for upcoming graduates only, while keeping in mind the regulations.
All other students will continue to have access to online education for the remainder of the academic year as previously scheduled and we are looking forward to welcoming you back to the Academy at the beginning of September.
We are aware that this has major consequences. We have read students’ letters and listened to their feedback and hope this update will provide some reassurance. We don’t have all the answers yet, but we have met with the Bachelor Course Committee and will be meeting with the Student Council today.
We are also continuously working with heads, coordinators and staff to find practical solutions. For most students, education and assessments are already continuing online. A number of working groups have been formed to address how we deliver this for all BA students, and we will be introducing a new online program soon.
The heads of our MA departments have started with adapting their curriculum to remote teaching, and will finalise and refine this in the coming weeks.
We would like to thank you all for your enthusiasm and understanding so far and for helping us discover new ways of working. This includes students (studying online) as well as all education staff (organising programs and online teaching) and organisational staff (working from home).
Very few times in its history – if ever – has the Academy had to deal with a crisis of this magnitude and delicacy, and there is no playbook to follow. There are countless aspects of the school’s organisation that need to be rethought, and we are working as quickly as we can to develop alternatives to our normal practices.
Our priority now will be reaching out to the constituent groups of our community, especially the student body, to involve you in the difficult decisions that face us as we move forwards and adapt to this new reality. This deeply disorienting situation will severely test our strength in the weeks ahead, but together we will make the right decisions, always giving priority to the safety and health of our own community and the communities around us.
Incremental opening
Our current plan is to reopen the school incrementally from 2 June onwards, prioritising the needs of students who are due to graduate imminently. In practical terms, this means the second year MA students and fourth year BA students will be the only students with access to the workshops and education spaces. We will also extend our opening dates for these students (more on this below).
Although we would like to welcome everyone back, we will need to continue to control the number of people within the building and avoid creating groups and gatherings to conform to the RIVM guidelines. Among other things, this means that we have to keep a distance of 1.5 metres from each other in the general areas of the Academy and the workshops. DAE employees will supervise compliance with the RIVM guidelines in the building.
However, the workshops will continue to provide guidance to all students during this period through their Facebook group.
Summer access
We know that being away from the workshops, from mentors and from each other is challenging. Staff, heads, teachers and coordinators have collectively agreed to keep the school open as much as possible over the summer to give graduating students access to workshops and education spaces. This means we will only close for two weeks, from 27 July to 7 August.
The opening of the next academic year will take place two days later than planned, on Thursday 3 September.
Exams
The examination committee is developing guidelines for assessments that take into account the major disruption caused by the closure of the Academy.
We know that many students will be faced with unique challenges during this period and that some students may not be able to return to The Netherlands for some time due to travel restrictions. With this in mind, we are working closely with heads and coordinators to develop an appropriate policy for the final assessments, with a focus on equality and flexibility.
The schedule is not finalised, but we are currently proposing the following exam dates for BA and MA:
- 23 June 2020 for those who can do their exam online
- 24-28 August 2020 for those who need to use the workshops
Re-examinations for those who do not pass will be in the second half of October. This means your work may not be in the Graduation Show publication, but can still be in the show itself.
Graduation Ceremony
An online Graduation Ceremony will be made available to students as an option. For all other students the Graduation Ceremony will take place on 1 September, with the Masters’ graduations in the morning and the Bachelors’ in the evening.
The Graduation Show
The annual Graduation Show is an important event for the school and we are looking forward to GS20.
We have already started work on assembling the creative, editorial and production team for GS20 and everything is on track, but they will need help and support from the graduating students over the summer to make sure it can be delivered on time.
There are currently no plans to have a purely virtual show.
Ongoing studies
All of our other education programs will continue online – albeit in a slightly new format, with the well-known quality of DAE. This means that the academic year will continue for current BA students in the first, second and third year and for first year MA students. More focused information will be shared soon about how students will complete their year.
Most students are already receiving online teaching and we will soon be ready to provide similar programs for everyone. Although we cannot replicate the environment of the Academy in the virtual world, we can find collective solutions and support systems to create interesting ideas and we welcome all of your feedback to make this period fruitful.
Tuition fees
The Dutch government has strict regulations regarding tuition fees that we must comply with, like all colleges and universities in The Netherlands. The Executive Board will include this topic in our conversation with the Student Council today.
We are offering students the opportunity to get through this period without a delay to their studies and with the highest quality of teaching that we can provide, including access to heads, tutors and support staff. We want to be as flexible as we can and ensure our students are getting the help that they need. We will keep on working with contact persons. They are able to help you with your questions, including questions regarding financial aspects.
Finally
Closing the Academy has already had a big impact on our whole community, but we know it is the right thing to do in this unprecedented moment. We want you to know that we are here and that planning will continue daily on all levels to overcome the challenges of this period. In the meantime, we send you our strength and best wishes, and can’t wait to get back together again soon at the Academy!
We advise you to follow your online educational programme and to keep an eye on your e-mail and the DAE website. We will update our Q&A for students and staff covering frequently asked questions as soon as we can.
If you are a student and you have any questions, please consult the coordinator of the department or Olga Pullens (Dean) (+31 6 44594717).
If you are a tutor and you have any questions, please consult the coordinator of the department or Emke Molnar (HR) (+31 6 83372689).
If you are staff, head or coordinator and you have any questions, please consult your supervisor or Emke Molnar (HR) (+31 6 83372689).
If Emke or Olga cannot be reached directly by phone, please send them a text message.
Measurements by the Dutch Government, 31 March 2020
The Government decided today that all coronary measures in the Netherlands will be extended until Tuesday 28 April. Schools will stay closed at least until after the May holidays. After that, institutions, shops and other places of business will open in phases, as long as there is no further extension. In the week before 28 April, the Government will assess what is needed for the period thereafter.
The prohibition on gatherings remains in force until 1 June.
The Netherlands is still a long way off beating the Coronavirus. However, the right path has been taken. The number of sick people is still increasing, but not as fast as a few weeks ago, before measures were announced.
1. Events with a licensing and reporting requirement will be prohibited until 1 June 2020.
All other meetings will be prohibited, with a few exceptions:
a. Statutory meetings (maximum 100 persons), such as meetings of the Municipal Council and the States General;
b. Meetings necessary for the continuation of the daily work of institutions, companies and other organisations (up to 100 persons);
c. funerals and weddings (max 30 persons);
d. Meetings of a religious or philosophical nature (up to 30 people).
These gatherings may only take place if all hygiene measures to combat the Coronavirus are observed and if it is possible to keep a distance of 1.5 metres from each other.
2. Casinos, amusement arcades and similar establishments will be closed.
3. The exercise of all forms of contact professions is prohibited, as long as it is not possible to keep a distance of 1.5 metres from the customer. This includes masseurs, hairdressers, nail stylists, escort services and driving instructors. An exception is made for the treatment of (para)medical professions, provided there is an individual medical indication for this and the practitioner can comply with all hygiene requirements.
4. If the hygiene measures in force and the 1.5 metre distance are not or not sufficiently observed, shops and markets must be closed and public transport must be terminated.
5. Locations such as holiday parks, camping sites, parks, nature reserves and beaches shall be closed if the applicable hygiene measures and the 1.5 metre distance are not or not sufficiently observed at these locations or if there is a risk of this happening.
6. Group formation (accidental or otherwise) in public spaces is prohibited. The Cabinet defines a group as three or more persons who do not keep a distance of 1.5 metres. There is no question of group formation if it concerns persons who form a joint household. There is also no question of group formation if children up to and including 12 years of age play together under the supervision of one or more parents or guardians. Provided that the parents and/or guardians keep a distance of 1.5 metres between them.
The letter to the Safety Council states that measures 2 and 3 must be included in an emergency ordinance. Measures 4 to 7 must be included in the emergency ordinance in such a way that enforcement becomes possible if necessary.
Measures 2 to 6 will be extended until Tuesday 28 April.