AU postpones exams in new exam hall by one hour after dialogue with Midttrafik
The exams in Aarhus University's new exam hall in Lisbjerg will start one hour later than originally planned. This decision has been made by AU following dialogue with Midttrafik regarding the passenger capacity in public transport. Earlier this year, a student urged AU to postpone exams by an hour, referring to possible delays in morning traffic.
Postpone the exam start time from 9:00 to 10:00, when AU's new exam hall in Lisbjerg, northern Aarhus, is taken into use from the summer of 2025. This was the wish expressed by Rose Lindskov Marquass, vice-chair of KS (Conservative Students), in an opinion piece published in Omnibus in March. She feared the logistical nightmare it would create on top of the already chaotic rush hour, with hundreds of students trying to reach Lisbjerg.
Opinion: Postpone the exams by an hour
It turns out that Rose Lindskov Marquass is actually getting her wish granted. AU has decided to postpone the start time of the exams by one hour, from 9:00 to 10:00, with all subsequent exams also being pushed back by one hour. This was reported by the university in a news release.
“The decision was made to ensure the best possible transport options for students to reach AU’s new exam hall, which will host all written on-site exams in Aarhus from May 1st. AU has been in dialogue with Midttrafik (the public transport company responsible for managing public transportation in Aarhus, ed.) and believes that moving the start time from 09:00 to 10:00 will increase the passenger capacity of public transport for students heading to the exam hall,” AU writes.
The changes apply to all written on-site exams on all exam days in both Aarhus and Herning. It also applies to Herning, as some exams are held simultaneously at both locations and should therefore be held at the same time. The changes apply to both the summer exams and the subsequent winter exams. The exception is the admission course for engineering degree programmes, as it is held according to a national schedule, and the written on-site exams at AU Viborg.
Students: Postponement reduces extra pressure
It was in early March that the vice-chair of KS made her call to change the start time for the exams. One crucial aspect of the new exam hall had been overlooked: how students would reach the halls, said Rose Lindskov Marquass. She pointed to overcrowded buses, delayed light rail lines and an 8–10-kilometre bike route from the city centre, which even goes uphill some of the way. The bike ride is not a realistic solution if the weather is bad or if you need to carry a lot of stuff, as stated in the opinion piece.
“Even with good planning, unpredictable delays in public transport may make it impossible to arrive on time. In addition, it creates unnecessary stress on a day when the focus should be on the exam. By postponing the exams by one hour, the university can reduce this extra pressure and ensure that students have a more stable and relaxed commute, which then improves their conditions for the exam,” wrote Rose Lindskov Marquass.
On March 11, an answer came from pro-rector Berit Eika and university director Kristian Thorn.
ANSWER: Postponing exams may make sense, but it's plan B
In their answer, they acknowledged the issue of overcrowded public transport during rush hour and the that the commute to the exam hall would send some students on a longer trip than previously. But postponing the start time of the exam was Plan B, while Plan A was to ensure sufficient bus and train connections, stated pro-rector and university director, adding that AU was in dialogue with Midttrafik and other relevant parties.
“We’re not sure we’ll make the trip to the exam hall in Lisbjerg one of those journeys you never want to end. But we have a great desire to make the exam situation as smooth as possible. That's why we greatly value ongoing dialogue, and we are very open to constructive suggestions like the one made by Rose Lindskov Marquass,” the AU management said in the opinion piece.
The doors of the exam hall will open at 8:00
AU informs that the exam hall, which consists of a total of 11 exam rooms, opens its doors at 8 o’clock every day and that students can check in for the first exams from 9 o’clock.
"It’s always a good idea to leave early for the exam, and in addition to the bus and light rail, students can also use the new commuter bike path, which takes them right to the door," writes AU.
This text is machine translated and post-edited by Cecillia Jensen.