FAQ Regarding the Academic Society and the Corona virus
(COVID-19)

What part does the Academic Society take in Lund's student life?

  • The Academic Association consists of 12 committees that are part of the non-profit association, as well as a number of recognized associations and cooperative associations with which we have cooperation agreements.

  • AF's day-to-day operations are led by five full-time students who constitute the presidium, as well as the foremen of each committee. The Board with the president of the Academic Society at the head has the ultimate responsibility for the association.

  • AF's highest decision-making organ, the Supreme Board (Akademiska Föreningens överstyrelse), is made up of members from nations, unions and special members of the Academic Society.

  • The student estate in Skanör is a foundation that belongs to AF, but run by an administrative board and special foreman.

  • AF-Borgen AB is a subsidiary of the Academic Society, which owns all shares in the company. AF-Borgen AB is a provider of premises for associations and study-areas.

  • AF Housing is a foundation through which student housing is provided to AF members. The organization is thus governed by its founding statutes, but the majority of board members are admitted through AF.

  • AF is part of Studentlund, a collaboration between 12 nations and 7 unions.

AF's organizational structure means that there is a great deal of autonomy in our operations. Consequently, AF cannot make overall collective decisions for all operations on its own initiative.

What is the Academic Society's responsibility and role in student life?

The Academic Society has a great responsibility and a central role in student life. Among other things, by subsidizing student organizations rents in AF-castle, which is the hub of Lund's student life. AF has representation and voting rights in several forums and is one of three pillars in student life, together with unions and nations. We are there to gather student-driven culture and enable student-driven association life - through collaboration with various actors. In this way, we can enrich and help develop with diversity throughout the student life.

It is important that the society keep going as long as it is possible and assessed safe enough, as this may become a matter of endurance for a long period of time. Likewise, each set of events and closed-down activities in the student life increases the concern of the students, who nowadays do not get natural social interaction through teaching. Thus, like other organizations in student life, AF's activities constitute an important body for many students' social interaction and mental health, perhaps even more so than under normal circumstances.

What does the Academic Society do during the ongoing Corona crisis?

  • The Academic Society closely monitors the Public Health Authority, the Government and other authorities' reporting, decision processes and recommendations.

  • The Academic Society also follows Lund University's recommendations and decisions. This may mean that Lund University has a more sharp decision than other organisations, the Academic Society will in such case apply what Lund University decides. 

Read the public decision from Lund University here: https://www.medarbetarwebben.lu.se/article/information-om-coronaviruset-till-medarbetare-
och-studenter 

  • We urge committees, associations and staff to disseminate and refer to accurate and up-to-date information obtained from Swedish authorities and Lund University. It is important to contribute to a good flow of information, counteract disinformation and not speculate.

    all organisations and our guests to follow the recommendations of the National Health Authority to prevent the spread of infection. This includes good hand hygiene, staying at home if you have the slightest symptoms of illness and people over 70 trying to stay home.

  • For each committee, event and gathering that is within the AF's organization, an individual risk assessment is made according to its conditions and risk factors. This is done by those responsible, in dialogue with the presidium and, if necessary, also the Board.

How is the Academic Society affected by the spread of the corona virus and what is the effect of the activities?

The Academic Society's committees and operations are all of very different kinds with different conditions and risks. Therefore, an individual risk assessment is now made for each committee, event and meeting that is within the AF's organization. The starting point is to change operations, instead of canceling. For most cases, the situation involves limitations and changes in the design of events and activities.

  • The study areas in Athén are open. If Lund University's study areas closes, the Academic Society will also close its study places. Shorter opening hours may also be introduced.

  • Studentinfo (Student information) will, as long as the study areas are open, be kept open to provide information. Shorter opening hours for Student Info's infodesk may be introduced.

The Academic Society does not have the right of decision over recognized associations and cooperative associations. We refer questions and reflections to the individual organizations.

  • AF-Borgen manages the current situation according to its own crisis organization. Here you will find contact information: https://afborgen.se/kontakt/ 

  • AF Housing manages the current situation according to its own crisis organization. Here you will find contact information: https://www.afbostader.se/ 

How will the Academic society work forward?

We at the Academic Society’s Presidium and the Board are closely monitoring developments in this matter and are working to find appropriate solutions according to the current situation. With the rapid development happening in society, changes may happen at short notice.

We will continue to have close contact with the national cooperative, Kuratorskollegiet (KK), and the student union's cooperation LUS, which in turn has contact with the university's crisis group. We have a constant dialogue with AF Housing and AF Borgen AB. Should new decisions be made in any of these forums, we will update our information.

Individual risk assessments will be made on an ongoing basis for each committee, event and meeting held within the AF's organization.

Where can you turn if you have questions and thoughts about Akademiska Föreningen and its activities?

If you have general questions, you can send them to Academic Association's Head of Communications: kommunikationschef@af.lu.se.

Questions from the media and journalists must be sent to the head of the Academic Association: verksamhetschef@af.lu.se.