CU flood update (12 p.m., 3 June)

According to the latest information received from the faculty emergency committees and the University’s Buildings Administration, the flooding of the boathouse in Troja has worsened and there have been minor problems caused by subterranean water and drainage at the Law Faculty at náměstí Curieových and the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics in Troja, while water levels are going down in the partially flooded centre in Dobronice. Detailed information from the individual faculties and other parts of the university is available on faculty websites and in summary form on iForum.

Due to the complicated transport situation in Prague and the majority of regions in the Czech Republic, I would ask that faculty deans tolerate the absence of applicants for study and students taking university entrance exams, exams and state exams planned for today and Tuesday 4 June, even if only announced late.

The same approach is to be taken with employees who properly excuse themselves and do not arrive at work due to reasons demonstrably related to the floods.

CU can offer at least partial financial assistance to university students and employees directly affected by the current floods. This assistance can take the form of priority accommodation in university halls, irrespective of distance to place of residence, a social grant or, for employees, the provision of temporary accommodation and a non-returnable financial allowance.

Assistance can be provided in the event of the destruction of or serious damage to flats or houses in which CU students or employees have their permanent residence that has occurred as a direct consequence of the floods. The amount and type of assistance will be dependent on the extent of damage caused. Applications for assistance can be submitted to the CU bursar until 15 July 2013 and must contain the relevant personal data (nationality, permanent residence, and faculty), description of damage caused, and should be accompanied by documents proving the relevant incident. In justified cases it will be possible to submit only a statutory declaration, with the relevant evidence being submitted at a later date.

I believe that these measures will help us to at least partially alleviate the direct impact of this year’s floods on some university students and employees.

Prague, 3 June 2013

Prof. Václav Hampl, Rector of Charles University