Passing exams in amphitheatres without windows or other ventilation, in the middle of hundreds of people, while the Covid-19 pandemic is still raging, this is the situation Sophie * wants to avoid at the beginning of May.
But this is what is planned for this law student from the University of Paris-Est Créteil (Upec) and her many comrades, and in many other faculties.
This Monday afternoon, students requesting distance-based exams were invited to come together and come forward before a license 3 (L 3) and master 1 (M1) test, supposed to take place at the UFR de droit.
A blockade prevented its holding.
Shortly before 3 p.m., the announcement of the postponement to a later date was made among the hundreds of students present.
A few minutes earlier, tensions had appeared at the entrance to the examination rooms between pro and anti-blocking.
Créteil, Monday May 3, 2021. Shortly before 3 pm and while tensions between pro and anti-blocking increased, the decision was taken to postpone all the exams scheduled at the law school to a later date.
LP / Gerald Moruzzi Gerald Moruzzi
"A question of public order"
“We are asking for remote exams to be held to ensure our safety,” explains Sophie. It is a matter of public order. ". According to her, “the university puts us in danger and endangers our loved ones. The vast majority of us live with our parents, brothers, sisters and sometimes even our grandparents. It is not conceivable that the university will continue to put us at risk. "
By means of a message published last Wednesday, the presidency of Upec declares to do everything to ensure the health security of all.
Trusting "her students who were responsible throughout this health crisis", she specifies that "the most stringent conditions are respected: distancing, wearing a mask, specific ventilation and aeration in the amphitheatres, hydroalcoholic gel, etc.
"
No cluster according to the UPEC presidency
She also recalls that “since the start of the year, the lessons that have taken place face-to-face (tutorials and practical work) as well as the March exams have not been the source of any cluster.
"But also that" a free screening center for Covid-19 is open every day on the Campus center ".
Aged 21, Lola * ensures that "the sanitary measures are there, and the university is doing as best it can, given the situation". This L 3 student wanted to compose, like so many others around her. "We have worked a lot, we have all prepared, we want to pass these partial and finish this year which was not easy," she emphasizes.
One of his comrades also wanted to floor, while being aware that the pandemic does not remain at the door of the amphitheater. “Side distance, it's not always terrible,” he admits, then in the middle of a crowd of students waiting. “There are people here who have the Covid or who are in contact and who cannot afford not to come, confides another. It must be said that it is our year that is being played out. "This other student, mobilized to block entries that afternoon, is well aware of this and wonders:" Why other universities have organized partials in distance and not ours? "
Student life and campus coordinator at Upec, Fantin Lowenstein regrets the turn of events: "It was a minority of students who blocked, and they were not all from Upec," he underlines. , specifying that the morning of exams had gone without problem.
We know that the situation weighs heavily on them, especially psychologically, but the majority of students want to take their exams as planned.
"
Will the postponed partials finally be able to take place in the days to come?
One thing is certain: Sophie and her comrades stand ready to block the doors of the amphitheatres again, if necessary.
* The first names have been changed.