News

Examination Regulations in the 2021 Summer Semester

In-person exams will take place from July 5th through the 24th, in strict compliance with the state Corona Ordinance and sanitation standards.

The Corona Ordinance in its current form does not require that participants provide proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test, however students, lecturers, and exam proctors are encouraged to take advantage of the many free COVID testing facilities available to the public.

To ensure that a minimum distance of 1.5 m can be maintained between individuals, many of the examinations will again be held at the Culture and Convention Center (Kultur- und Kongresszentrum) in Weingarten. Starting in Summer Semester 2021, some examinations will also be held at the RWU Dining Hall on campus.

The following COVID-19 health and safety measures must be observed:

• A medical mask (DIN EN 14683:2019-10), FFP2 (DIN EN 149:2001), KN95, N95, or similar mask which fulfils the same standards must be worn correctly and continually, even during the exam.
• Attendance will be taken as you are admitted. Please have your student ID ready. You will be assigned a seat. Thanks to this procedure, it will not be necessary to use the RecoverApp or scan the QR code at the building entrance.
• Be sure to sanitize your hands
• Maintain a distance of at least 1.5 meters from others at all times. This includes the time leading up to the test, lining up to be admitted into the exam room, and after the test is over.
• The examination room will be ventilated

Discontinuation of Free Attempts: Students who fail an exam in the 2021 Summer Semester will have the exam counted against them as a failed attempt.

Extension of the Exam Deadline: As of today, neither the Baden-Württemberg State Parliament nor the Ministry of Science, Research, and Arts (MWK) have made a decision on whether to extend the completion deadlines for classes and exams, as well as the study semester limit by a further semester for students who enrolled during the 2021 Summer Semester. We will inform you if an announcement is made. In the meantime, however, the university senate passed a resolution on May 6th, 2021, which applies the examination deadline extensions from the last two semesters to the 2021 Summer Semester as well. Hopefully this well help to compensate for the extraordinary circumstances in which students at RWU still find themselves.

The intermediate examination deadline (semester limit) will be extended by one additional semester.
This extends the semester limit for students who enrolled in the 2020 Summer Semester from 4 to 7 semesters, for students who enrolled in the 2020/21 Winter Semester from 4 to 6 semesters, and for students who enrolled in the 2021 Summer Semester from 4 to 5 semesters.

The deadline for retaking examinations that were not passed before the 2020 Summer Semester will be extended by 1 additional semester. Since failed examinations in the 2020 Summer Semester and 2020/21 Winter Semester were counted as free attempts, there is no deadline for retaking them. Examinations which are not passed in the 2021 Summer Semester, however, must be retaken within 2 semesters' time, per the study and examination regulations (SPO).

Failure to Appear for an Exam: is treated the same as deregistering for the exam is will not be counted as a failed attempt during the 2021 Summer Semester. It is therefore not necessary to present a doctor's note in the event that you are unable to sit for an exam. Exception: In the event of a multi-part exam taken across multiple dates, a doctor's note should be presented to the Student Examination Office immediately following the missed stage of the exam at the latest.

Examinations for COVID-19 High-Risk Groups

The university will strive to implement additional precautionary measures in the event that a student is at especially high risk of a severe COVID-19 infection. Students who belong to an elevated risk group should submit an application for disadvantage compensation (Nachteilsausgleich) to the Student Examination Office and certify that they are in an elevated risk category. To certify, the student should download the "Risk Group Form" (Formular Risikogruppe) from the Student Administration Office website, have it filled out by their doctor, and then submit the completed form to the Student Examination Office by June 15th, 2021 at the latest.

If students are unable to wear a mask for health reasons, they may also apply to the Student Examination Office for disadvantage compensation (Nachteilsausgleich) so long as the form is accompanied by a statement from their doctor and submitted by the June 15th deadline. Please be aware that without a mask, a student may not take the examination in the same room with the other test takers. To the extent that room and personnel capacity permits, the university will do its utmost to facilitate full participation in the examinations for all students.

Please note: per § 7 of the Corona Ordinance, participation in an exam is expressly prohibited if you are or have been in contact with someone infected by COVID-19 in the last 10 days, or if you yourself exhibit symptoms consistent with a COVID-19 infection such as fever, dry cough, or a loss/reduction in the sense of taste or smell.

Home office Policy has been extended until August 31st

Home office policy has been extended tentatively until August 31st, 2021. Employees may also continue to enjoy the increased flexibility of the expanded core working hours (6:00 to 21:00). 

If you have any questions, please contact Human Resources (personalabteilung@rwu.de).

Rapid SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Test

April 28th, 2021

Two free weekly rapid SARS-CoV-2 antibody (IgM/IgG) tests are now available for university employees. The tests can be obtained from the respective faculty secretariats. Central administration and facilities employees should contact Facility Management.

IN-PERSON CLASSES have been SUSPENDED FURTHER UNTIL April 18th

March 29th, 2021

According to the latest Corona Ordinance from March 29th, 2021, and the Corona Ordinance specifically for academic institutions, in-person classes at all universities have been suspended further until April 18th, 2021. 

Corona Ordinance of the State of Baden-Württemberg (as of March 29th, 2021)

Corona Ordinance for Academic Institutions (as of March 29th, 2021)

In-person classes have been suspended further until March 28th

March 8th, 2021

According to the latest Corona Ordinance from March 8th, 2021, and the Corona Ordinance specifically for academic institutions, in-person classes at all universities have been suspended further until March 8th, 2021. 

Corona Ordinance of the State of Baden-Württemberg (as of March 8th, 2021)

Corona Ordinance for Academic Institutions (as of March 8th, 2021)

NEW ORDINANCES AND UPDATED Corona Policy

Due to the latest Corona Ordinance from February 15th, 2021, and the Corona Ordinance specifically for academic institutions (Corona VO Studienbetrieb in German),  in-person classes have been suspended until March 7th, 2021.

This does not result in any changes to the examination procedure at RWU for the 2020/21 Winter Semester.

The regulations currently in effect can be found here:

Corona Ordinance of the State of Baden-Württemberg (as of February 15th, 2021)

Corona Ordinance for Academic Institutions (as of February 15th, 2021)

Updated Corona health and safety policy at RWU

Work and Family During the Corona Pandemic

February 24^th, 2021

• The university's current home office policy has been extended to May 31st, 2021, as has the extra flexible work day (6:00 AM to 9:00 PM).     

• If you are unable or do not want to work entirely from home, parent-child work spaces and other accommodations are also available. Please contact Christine Lauer for more information.

• Paid leave in the event of a child's illness has been extended by ten days per parent and child (20 additional days for single parents). In addition, employees may now also use this paid leave to care for children who must stay home because their school, daycare center, class, or group is closed due to the pandemic, or because in-person classes have been suspended or access to childcare services has been restricted. This paid leave may not be used during periods in which schools or childcare facilities would normally be closed anyway (regular school or daycare holidays) for reasons unrelated to the pandemic.

• Under certain conditions, employees who miss work for an extended period of time may be entitled to additional compensation if they have a child who is under the age of twelve or who is disabled and dependent on care which the parent themself must provide. The extra compensation provision in the law is currently in effect until March 31st, 2021.       

• An unpaid leave of absence can also be granted in accordance with TV-L provisions.

• A temporary reduction in working hours is also possible

• Part-time employees may apply to the HR department for a temporary change to their work schedule after consulting with their supervisor. You will find the application form in the QM Portal.     

• Employees may be entitled to financial support if they are prevented from working for a short period of time because they need to provide care to family members.                                                                                                  

• There is an additional financial hardship provision for employees who must provide care to close family members due to the closure of a full or part-time nursing facility, or when the employment of a full-time in-home caregiver is no longer possible due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

You can get more detailed information from the Human Resources Department and the Corona Pandemic Work and Family info sheet.

Medical Masks and FFP2-Masks

A medical mask (preferably certified according to DIN EN 14683:2019-10) or a respirator that meets the requirements of the standards FFP2 (DIN EN 149:2001), KN95, N95 or a comparable standard must be worn within university buildings.

!!! Alternative mouth-nose coverings (scarves, shawls, cloth masks etc.) are no longer permitted !!!

This includes all rooms/laboratories, door and entrance areas, hallways, corridors, stairwells, elevators, and sanitary facilities including restrooms. Masks are likewise compulsory in all work and study areas, foot traffic routes, during all lectures and classes, as well as in all areas used by students outside of lectures and classes. Masks must be worn correctly over both the mouth and nose. 

A minimum physical distance of 1.5 meters must be maintained between individuals at all times both inside and outside of university buildings.

Exam regulations and start of semester

January 20th, 2021

Procedure of the exams in the winter semester 2020/21

The examinations will be held in presence and in compliance with a hygiene concept.

• It is obligatory to wear a Medical Mask or FFP2-Mask at all times.
• The attendance check takes place at the entrance. The student ID card must be shown. A seat will then be assigned.
• Surfaces are disinfected between exams
• Ventilation of the rooms will be ensured
• The usual hygiene rules, such as minimum distance and hand hygiene, continue to apply.

A large part of the exams will take place in the Kultur- und Kongresszentrum Weingarten. The plans for the exams are subject to the proviso that the Corona situation will not intensify further. Should this become the case, presence exams may have to be cancelled at short notice.

Changes to the exam rules:

• Free attempt rules: Failed exams are not counted as failed attempts.
• The deadlines for the completion of subject-specific study and examination achievements as well as the standard period of study are extended by one semester.
• Failure to appear for an examination is regarded as a deregistration and not as an unsuccessful attempt. A medical certificate will not be necessary.
• Exception: If the examination consists of several partial exams, a certificate must be submitted to the examination office immediately after the partial examination at the latest.

An application for disadvantage compensation must be submitted to the Examinations Office by February 2nd, 2021 if one of the following cases applies.

• If you belong to a Corona risk group: In this case, examinations with special protective measures will be made possible. Report to the Examinations Office with a medical certificate. The "Risk Group Form" to be filled out by the doctor is available on the Student Services website.
• If it is not possible to wear a mouth-nose covering for health reasons, a medical certificate is required. The examination cannot then take place in one room with other people.

Anyone who has had contact with a person infected with the corona virus or who shows symptoms themselves is not permitted to take part in examinations in accordance with §7 of the Corona Ordinance. For further questions, please contact the Student Service.

First Semester Induction

The first semester induction will be held digitally from March 15th-18th 2021 using the Big Blue Button video conferencing system. A Moodle course "Welcome SS 2021 - RWU Initiatives and Institutions Fair" is offered on the homepage under the menu item "Studienstart an der RWU".

Study operation

In March and April 2021, the study programme will be conducted online. Exams and practical courses in the summer semester 2021, which require special laboratory and practical rooms in particular, should, if possible, only take place in attendance from May 2021 and in compliance with the hygiene concept of the RWU.

Learning spaces in the H-building

Students who do not have a sufficient internet connection at home can apply for learning spaces in the H-building at the Student Service.

Mensa

The Mensa offers take-away meals and dishes only, until further notice due to Corona.

University library

The university library will be closed until 31.01.2021. Regulations for ordering, collecting and returning media can be found on the homepage under "News". Enquiries regarding the use of study spaces can be made by email to auskunft@hs-weingarten.de.

UPDATED CORONA POLICY EFFECTIVE January 11TH

January 11th, 2021

New COVID-19 regulations for academic institutions will go into force on Jan. 11th, 2021, effective through at least Jan. 31st.

• In-person instruction at universities is suspended further until January 31st, 2021. Virtual and other forms of remote learning are permitted to continue as before.
• Libraries will remain closed but may provide pick-up service. Universities should update their COVID-19 policies so that media is available for pick up only at scheduled times to avoid the formation of lines.
• Sports and athletic facilities may be used for academic purposes (such as teaching and examinations); but should otherwise remain closed to general athletic activities.
• In exceptional situations, academic events that cannot be postponed may be held after curfew (8:00 PM - 5:00 AM); however, events which violate curfew should be limited to the most urgent and compelling cases.

The following continues to apply just as before:

• In-person events, in particular those requiring special laboratory or work rooms (laboratory internships, etc.), may continue to be held at RWU in compliance with Corona Ordinance restrictions and RWU policy, provided that it is absolutely necessary that the events be held in person.
• The same applies to examinations. An application for special permission to hold an in-person event can be submitted to the Rectorate via the Dean's Office. 
• Masks must be worn during any in-person event, including examinations.
• A mask which covers the nose and mouth must be worn at work stations and on facility premises. In addition to enclosed spaces such as offices, this mask requirement also applies to corridors, stairwells, employee kitchens, break rooms, rest rooms, and other meeting areas, as well as open-air workplaces on the premises of any facility. An exception to this requirement may be made if a distance of 1.5 meters from other persons can be safely maintained at all times while in the workplace.
• Employees must also wear a mask when coming into direct contact with customers at the Student Administration Office or other administration desks.

Baden-Württemberg Corona Ordinance (as of January 11th, 2021)

Corona Ordinance for Academic Institutions (as of January 11th, 2021)

RecoverApp

January 6th, 2021

Per Corona Ordinance § 6, RWU is required to collect contact data so that the transmission of COVID-19 can be traced. "RecoverApp" software has been in use at RWU for electronic data collection since January 7th, 2021. Before entering RWU buildings, teachers, students, and guests are required to scan a QR code at the door and submit required data such as name, address, and phone number. If you give RecoverApp permission to store this data locally on your phone then you will not have to re-enter it every time you scan the QR code and visit a building on the RWU campus.

The contact data is transmitted in encrypted form to the app developer's servers, where it is stored and automatically deleted after four weeks. Those who log in to a building are normally logged out automatically after six hours or at the end of every day at 11 PM.

If a lecturer, student, or guest does not have a smartphone, for example because they have forgotten the device at home, the log-in process must be carried out manually just as before. This means that professors must document their own attendance times and students and guests must document the time they spend in the building using the paper forms still available in the lecture halls. These forms must be turned in to the Student Examination Office immediately. In the event that the Health Department needs to conduct contact tracing to follow the transmission of infection, RWU will make a request to the app developer for the encrypted data from the time period in question. This encrypted data is then decrypted by RWU and forwarded to the Health Department.

Updated Corona Policy Effective December 16th

December 16th, 2020

The most recent update to COVID-19 regulations pertaining to institutions of higher education took place on December 16th. As the situation currently stands (subject to change by the State Cabinet of Baden-Württemberg), the corona policy for academic institutions is not expected to change further between December 16th and January 10th.

Due to the recently instated curfew ("Ausgangssperre" in German), necessary events that cannot be conducted virtually per §13(4) of the Corona Ordinance (CoronaVO) must take place in such a way that participants are able to arrive and/or return home between the hours of 5 AM and 8 PM as set by the curfew.

In principle, as long as the curfew and other regulations are adhered to, examinations and library visits continue to be possible.

Corona Ordinance from the state government (as of Dec. 16th, 2020)

New Corona Regulations Effective December 1st

December 1st, 2020

The state's corona regulations have been updated effective December 1st, 2020. The following changes are relevant to academic institutions:

In-person classes have been suspended until December 20th, 2020. Digital and other distance learning formats continue to be permissible.

In-person events, in particular those requiring special laboratory or work rooms (laboratory internships, etc.), may continue to be held at RWU in compliance with Corona Ordinance restrictions and RWU policy, provided that it is absolutely necessary that the events be held in person. The same applies to examinations. An application for special permission to hold an in-person event can be submitted to the Rectorate via the Dean's Office. Masks must be worn during any in-person event.

A mask which covers the nose and mouth must now also be worn at work stations and on facility premises (Section 3 (1) No. 8 of the Corona Ordinance). In addition to enclosed spaces such as offices, this mask requirement also applies to corridors, stairwells, employee kitchens, break rooms, rest rooms, and other meeting areas, as well as open-air workplaces on the premises of any facility. An exception to this requirement may be made if a distance of 1.5 meters from other persons can be safely maintained at all times while in the workplace (Section 3 (2) No. 3 CoronaVO). However, masks must always been worn while walking to or from one's work station or job site.

Employees must also wear a mask when coming into direct contact with customers at the Student Administration Office or other administration desks.

Corona Ordinance from the state government (as of Dec. 12th, 2020)

Corona Ordinance for academic institutions (as of Nov. 30th, 2020)

Easier Access to Financial Assistance for Students

November 20th, 2020

Students suffering financial hardship as a result of the pandemic can apply for another federal grant starting on November 20th, 2020. This money does not have to be repaid. As in the past, the aid is also intended for students who have lost their part-time job or whose parents are no longer able to financially support them due to the pandemic. Students can now demonstrate their pandemic-related financial hardship by presenting unsuccessful job applications, for example. Generally speaking, students, regardless of age or in which semester they are, can receive financial assistance until March, 2021. To reiterate, the grant does not have to be paid back. Students can apply for the money via this online portal.

New BAFöG policies: You can now update your application in the event of a change in financial circumstances, e.g. because parents are earning less due to reduced hours at work. It is also possible to exclude income if it is earned by working in critical industries during the pandemic.  

Seezeit-Nothilfe supports students who find themselves in acute financial hardship that cannot be alleviated by other welfare benefits or social programs. The maximum amount that can be applied for is 300 euros, for up to three months in a row. You can find the application form and guidelines at: seezeit.com/geld/finanzierungshilfen

Students can receive an interest-free loan of up to 650 euros per month from the KfW (Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau). If approved, this money is paid out every month for the entire year of 2021. The online application process is simple and requires little paperwork. Foreign students living in Germany can also apply for the loan until March, 2021. Visit kfw.de/studienkredit-coronahilfe for more information.

You can set up an appointment to submit an application or for consultation with the Studierendenwerk Seezeit Service Center in Weingarten by writing to: servicecenter-wgt@seezeit.com

Click here for more information about financial support.

New Quarantine Requirement for Incoming Foreign Students

November 8th, 2020

A new regulation (CoronaVO EQ in German) mandating quarantine for incoming travelers from high-risk regions went into effect on November 8th. According to this regulation, any student who travels to Germany from an area deemed to be high-risk by the Robert Koch Institute must self-isolate upon arrival. The quarantine period can be reduced from ten days to the five-day minimum if a COVID-19 test is taken which meets the RKI's testing standards and the result is negative (§ 3).

A digital entry registration form must also be filled out before arriving in Germany.

Those who live close to a national border or those who commute across a national border to work or study are not required to quarantine, just as before (see § 2, paragraph 2, number 1 as well as 3a and 3b).

New Corona Policy Effective November 2nd

November 2nd, 2020

Due to the dramatic increase in the number of infections nationwide, the prime ministers of all sixteen German states have agreed with the German Chancellor on new measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. This agreement was confirmed by the state cabinet and an amendment to the Corona Ordinance based upon this agreement was adopted. It came into effect on November 2nd, 2020. The Corona Ordinance for Higher Education and the Arts was amended accordingly, also effective as of November 2nd, 2020.

This has resulted in the following additional new guidelines:

Pursuant to Section 1a (8) sentence 1 of the new Corona Ordinance, in-person university attendance has been suspended until November 30th, 2020. Digital and other distance learning formats are permissible.

In-person events, in particular those requiring special laboratory or work rooms (laboratory internships, etc.), may continue to be held at RWU in compliance with Corona Ordinance restrictions and RWU policy, provided that it is absolutely necessary that the events be held in person. The same applies to examinations. An application for special permission to hold an in-person event can be submitted to the Rectorate via the Dean's Office.

Wearing a mouth and nose covering is now compulsory for both in-person gatherings and examinations. Employees who come into direct contact with customers are also required to wear a mouth-nose covering in the Student Administration Office and in other administrative facilities.

Questions about the Corona Ordinance

October 22nd, 2020

1. Do teachers need to wear a mouth and nose covering in class?

Yes. According to current information from the Ministry of Science, Research, and the Arts, teachers must also wear a mask which covers their nose and mouth.

2. Do masks also need to be worn in libraries while seated?

No. Masks must be worn when walking to and from a table, desk, or seat, but not while seated. This is true not just for libraries, but also for any common student area outside the classroom.

3. Do masks need to be worn during oral and/or written examinations?

No. That is not required by the Corona Ordinance.

New Corona Policy for Students

October 19th, 2020

There has been a sharp rise in the number of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infections in Baden-Württemberg. Corona policy has changed accordingly, specifically the Corona Ordinance (CoronaVO in German), which is comprised of state regulations containing measures and restrictions in response to the COVID19 pandemic, and the corresponding Corona Ordinance for University Operations (CoronaVO-Studienbetrieb in German). The state government of Baden-Württemberg has declared pandemic level 3.

The main provisions are as follows:

• A mouth-nose covering must be worn in all classrooms and in all other university common areas used by students.
• Everyone at the university, including visitors, must wear a mask in hallways and high foot traffic areas. This includes the RWU Dining Hall.
• A minimum social distance of 1.5 meters must continue to be kept on the university premises.
• University facilities may only be used by the university.
• The health and safety guidelines contained in the state Corona Ordinance (CoronaVO) must continue to be observed.

Students May Book Space to Study

October 13, 2020

• Students who have insufficient internet access at home can contact the Student Administration Office to book space for studying at the H-building. Reservations can be made by email or by phone (0751 501-9344) during the lecture period of the semester.
• Reserving space to study at the university is only possible in the case of credible technical problems.
• Workstations in the library are also available upon prior request to auskunft@hs-weingarten.de.
• Further workstations in the RWU Dining Hall are planned. 

Special corona regulations for first and second semester students

October 9, 2020

• Since the buildings are still only accessible with a key, participants of teaching presence events in the winter semester 2020/2021 will gather in front of the buildings. They will be picked up there by the lecturers.
• To participate in attendance courses of the first and second semesters, it is absolutely necessary to register for the respective course in the LSF, since the room capacities are limited.
• The cleaning of the tables in the lecture halls is done by the participants themselves. Wet wipes are available at the entrances to the lecture halls.
• According to the Corona Ordinance, the data of participants in face-to-face courses must be collected. For this purpose, lists are created. A data protection-compliant app solution for recording this data is currently being developed

New Corona Ordinance Study Business & Art

September 22, 2020

On September 25, the new Corona Ordinance of the Ministry of Science comes into force for the study operation. Existing regulations of the general Corona Ordinance of the state are specified therein. What changes will this bring about at RWU?

•     All members of the university are required to wear a mouth-and-nose covering for traffic routes and traffic areas in university buildings.
•     The minimum distance of 1.5 meters in the university area must still be observed. An exception is possible if the cohort principle is observed (fixed course groups of up to 35 students).
•     The data collection is specified in the ordinance for the area of study. This serves the effective tracing of chains of infection.

On the website of the ministry you will find the entire Corona Ordinance Study Operation & Art.

At RWU, the existing regulations on home office and corona handling will be extended until the end of the winter semester 2020/2021.

•     All home office permits are revocably extended until February 28, 2021. Employees are free to carry out their duties while at RWU. The scope of activities in the home office must be discussed with the individual supervisors.
•     The framework working hours are further extended to 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
•     The university buildings will remain locked and can only be entered with a key (additional regulations are required to organize attendance for first and second semesters).
•     The contact restrictions and the hygiene concept of RWU continue to apply. Sessions, meetings, etc. should preferably not take place in attendance, but rather using the online conference tool "BigBlueButton".

Regulations at RWU extended until September 30

September 1, 2020

Due to the continuing restrictions on university operations based on the state's Corona Ordinance, the current status quo for dealing with the corona crisis at RWU will be extended until September 30, 2020.

This means:

    The home office regulation will be extended until September 30, 2020.
    The university buildings will remain locked and can only be entered with a key.
    The framework working hours will continue to be extended to 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
    The contact restrictions continue to apply. Sessions, meetings, etc. should preferably not take place in person but using the online conference tool "BigBlueButton".
    A hygiene concept is in place for conducting mandatory face-to-face meetings in teaching and research.

Home office regulation extended until September 30

August 13, 2020

Due to the continuing need to avoid direct contact between university members in the university system, the current status quo for dealing with the corona crisis at the RWU will be extended until September 30, 2020.

All home office permits will thus be revocably extended until this date. The university buildings will remain locked and can only be entered with a key.

The contact restrictions continue to apply. Meetings etc. should preferably not be held in person, but rather using the online conference tool "BigBlueButton".

Audit rules changed

July 3, 2020

In response to the burden placed on students by the corona pandemic, the Senate of the RWU, at the suggestion of the student body, adopted the following changes to examination regulations on July 2, 2020:

•     Failed exams will be marked as 'not undertaken'. Failed exams will not be counted as failed attempts.
•     The repetition of an examination that has been passed remains inadmissible.

The state parliament of Baden-Württemberg also reacted last week with changes to the state higher education law:

Semester-bound study and examination credits will be extended by one semester for all students enrolled in the summer semester 2020. This means that the standard period of study, the maximum duration of studies and the deadline for the intermediate examination will be extended by one semester for all students affected.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

Regulations at RWU extended until 31 August

June 8, 2020

Due to the continuing restrictions on university operations based on the state's Corona Ordinance, the current status quo for dealing with the corona crisis at the RWU will be extended until August 31, 2020.

This means:

The home office regulation will be extended until August 31, 2020.

The university buildings will remain locked and can only be entered with a key.

The framework working hours will continue to be extended to 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The contact restrictions continue to apply. Sessions, meetings, etc. should preferably not take place in person but using the online conference tool "BigBlueButton".

A hygiene concept has been developed for the implementation of mandatory face-to-face meetings in teaching and research, which will be published shortly.

Home office extended until 15 June

30.04.2020

Due to the continuing need to avoid direct contact between members of the university community within the university system, the current status quo for dealing with the corona crisis at the RWU will be extended until 15 June 2020.

All home office permits will thus be revocably extended until that date. The university buildings will remain locked and can only be entered with a key.

The contact restrictions continue to apply. Sessions, meetings, etc. should preferably not take place in person, but using the online conference tool "BigBlueButton".

Corona restrictions extended until 3 May

16 April 2020

Yesterday, the Federal Government and the Minister Presidents extended the Corona regulations in force until now. This will also have an impact on the university operations at RWU.

Teaching takes place exclusively in digital form. For cooperation at RWU, the extension of the regulations means that the current status quo will be maintained up to and including May 3, 2020.

In particular, the home office regulations will be extended until May 3, 2020. As before, access to the university buildings is only possible by means of a key.

Contact restrictions continue to apply, which is why meetings and sessions should not be held in person, but by telephone or using the online conference tool "BigBlueButton".

Summer semester 2020

The Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs and the participating state ministries have unanimously declared themselves in favour of a binding resumption of studies at the universities by 20 April.

Lectures begin on 20 April

Due to the still valid restrictions in public life, teaching will only be able to take place in digital form. We expect that restrictions and the avoidance of contact situations will remain for a long time. Whether, when and in which form forms of presence will be permitted depends on the general development. We assume that at a later point in time, initially smaller formats of attendance courses can be successively included.

Distance learning and examinations

In recent weeks, a great deal of effort has been put into providing alternative teaching formats. While some courses of study already offer their entire range of courses via e-learning formats, in other areas the sending of documents is used, sometimes in combination with various media offerings.

To what extent or which examinations can also be held via non-presence formats is currently being regulated. Courses and examination formats with compulsory attendance should take place towards the end of the summer semester. Mandatory modules that cannot be held this semester will be postponed to the following winter semester.

Digital university operation

We also assume that the obligation to avoid unnecessary contact situations will continue to apply in the administrative area. For this reason, we intend to extend the home office regulations. Discussions, meetings and committee work are to be conducted as far as possible by telephone or via the BigBlueButton web conference system.

Unfortunately, it will not be possible to hold the welcome event for freshmen, including the introductory days, the semester welcome for professors, all study and school information formats and also the graduation ceremonies in the summer semester 2020.

The past weeks have shown that the university's ability to act was given at all times even in this extraordinary situation. In all areas, members of the university have completed their tasks and taken on responsibility from home or on site. Without their commitment, this crisis management would not have worked.

Practice cooperations

March 25th 2020

Practical study semester

Several companies and institutions have already closed or intend to do so. Students can break off their obligatory practical semester if they wish and make up for it at a later date. This applies regardless of whether the practice company/institution is closed or not. The termination is not considered a failed attempt.

If the company or institution in which the compulsory practical semester is spent is not closed, the practical semester can be continued at the student's own request.

Students who find themselves in a special situation that requires a solution on a case-by-case basis should contact their Internship Office Manager.

Bachelor and Master theses

The following possibilities only refer to theses that are written in cooperation with the practice.

If the practical parts of the thesis (laboratory work, surveys etc.) have already been completed, please complete your thesis. Theses can be dropped in the letterbox in front of the main building or sent by post. Please inform your supervisor about the submission of the thesis.

If you have only recently begun writing your thesis, you have the opportunity to work on the topic on a purely theoretical basis. You can arrange the change of topic directly with your supervising professor. The processing time is extended by the time already required for the practical parts.

However, you can also finish your thesis without this being considered a failed attempt. At a later date you can then begin your thesis again with a new topic. Please inform all persons who will supervise your thesis directly.

If you find yourself in a special situation that requires a solution on a case-by-case basis, please contact the chairperson or the chairman of the examination board responsible for your degree programme. As a rule, this is the Dean of Studies of your degree programme. We are trying to find regulations to compensate for the difficult study conditions caused by the current situation.

Semester Planning

March 25th 2020

If in-class-lectures can begin as planned on April 20, lectures will be held in the Pentecost-week - subject to approval by the Senate. The lecture period will be extended by two weeks; the examination period will then probably last until August 1.

Should in-class-lectures NOT be able to start on April 20, it is not possible at this point in time to make a statement on the further planning of the semester, as this requires Baden-Württemberg-wide guidelines from the Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts.

The didactics-group is working hard to provide various tools such as BigBlueButton or Mahara and offers support for e-learning.

These conference tools are also available to the employees, for example to hold meetings with several participants online.

Stress test for new webinar system on Monday 23 March

March 22nd 2020

A stress test for the new RWU webinar tool BigBlueButton will take place on Monday, 23 March at 11:15 am. How many participants can use the webinar system simultaneously?

To test this, all students are invited to dial into the Moodlecourse E-Learning > Stress Test (https://elearning.hs-weingarten.de/course/view.php?id=2652) at 11:15 a.m. on Monday, 23 March. There you will find all further information about the procedure.

Thank you very much for your support!

RWU building only accessible with key

March 18th, 2020

In implementation of the decree of the Ravensburg District Office of 15th March (published on 16th March), the University has decided on a further precautionary measure to protect university members: From now on all university buildings are only accessible with a key. This regulation will come into force on Wednesday, 18 March, during the afternoon and will apply for the time being until further notice.

It remains unchanged that contact between colleagues must be reduced to the absolutely necessary minimum. As far as possible, activities should be carried out in the home office.

Visitor traffic

Please contact your contact person with your request by phone or e-mail. Contact details can be found on the website www.rwu.de. If you do not know who is responsible for your request, please contact the central telephone number 0751 / 501-9344. Until further notice, telephone availability is limited to the following times: Mon-Thu. 9-15, Fr. 9-12.

Please drop documents to be handed in in the mailboxes at the two entrances to the main building.

Delivery

The possibility to deliver mail and goods is still guaranteed.

Current information for employees

March 17th, 2020

Today, legal information from the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Finance on the handling of the coronavirus was sent to all employees by e-mail. This includes explanations on working hours, business trips, child care, etc. This letter is only partially included in the Corona FAQs on the RWU website. If you have any questions, please contact the Human Resources Department or the Chancellor of the University, Henning Rudewig.

Current changes

March 16th, 2020

E-Learning

The start of the presence lectures has been postponed to April 20. E-Learning courses can be offered in advance. As before, students register via the LSF for the courses they wish to attend, regardless of the type of lecture. The lecturing tutors will contact the students in case e-learning courses are offered.

Examinations

There will be no more presence examinations until further notice. This also applies the Bachelor and Master degree colloquia. Examination formats, that do not require attendance, are possible.

The examinations of February 10th, which were postponed due to the storm "Sabine", will be made up for. The date of March 21th will be cancelled. Information about the new catch-up date will be provided as soon as possible.

It is possible to resign from the catch-up exam without giving reasons. This also applies to second and third attempts. In order to be able to better plan the examinations, the Student Examination Office must be informed of any retirement. A form for this purpose is available for download on the website of the Student Examination Office. The completed form must be sent to info@rwu.de.

Semester planning

There may be lectures at RWU during the Whitsun holidays . The examination period will probably be extended until the beginning of August. The Senate will make the final decision.

Project and final theses

If you are currently working on projects and final theses in cooperation with companies and institutions, and these are closed down as a result of the Corona pandemic, please contact your supervisor to find a suitable solution.

Internship semester

If you are unable to complete your internship semester in full or even have to cancel it in the current situation, please contact your responsible Student Examination Office . General regulations will be prepared as soon as possible.

Student Administration Office

Please continue to address questions in relation with the coronavirus to info_corona@rwu.de

During office hours, the Student Administration Office can still be contacted by telephone.

Please drop applications and documents in the mailboxes of the Admissions Office or Examination Office, send them by post or send them by e-mail to the staff member responsible for your degree programme.

An application for de-registration after successfully completing your studies must be accompanied by an additional affidavit of discharge. You can find the form in the download area of the Student Examination Office. It replaces the previous exoneration signatures of the respective university department.

Theses can be dropped into the letterbox in front of the main building or sent by post. Please inform your supervisor about the submission of the thesis.

Lectures discontinued

March 12th, 2020

In a decree of March 11th, 2020, the Ministry of Science informed the state's universities that the lecture period will be postponed until April 20th, 2020 and lectures, that already started, will be interrupted until that date. This concerns all teaching and examination formats. In order to ensure a uniform and legally compliant start of lectures, e-learning formats are also included.

The examinations, originally postponed to March 21th, 2020 due to the storm "Sabine", will have to be postponed again and will probably take place from April 20th, 2020. The exact substitute exam date will be announced in due time.

Start of the summer semester postponed

March 11th, 2020

In order to counteract the spread of the coronavirus, the start of the summer semester at universities of applied sciences in Baden-Württemberg has been postponed. Lectures and seminars at the Ravensburg-Weingarten University of Applied Sciences are expected to begin on April 20th, 2020.

"We want to slow down the process of expansion," said Science Minister Theresia Bauer quoted in the Stuttgarter Nachrichten newspaper. So far, she said, Baden-Württemberg is still able to trace the infection pathways. This must be maintained as long as possible, Bauer continued.

Further information will follow.

RWU study fair is postponed

March 9th, 2020

The Ravensburg-Weingarten University of Applied Sciences is taking further precautionary measures due to current developments. Therefore, the study fair, planned for March 26th, has been postponed.

At the study fair, the university shows its study offers every year. Students and lecturers present RWU's various study programs at various stands. Those interested also have the opportunity to take part in workshops, seminar units, experiments or lectures.

However, since larger events currently present an unnecessary risk, the university has decided to postpone the study fairs to an indefinite date. As soon as a new date for the study fair is found, it will be announced on the website.

Semester welcome event cancelled

March 6th, 2020

The Ravensburg-Weingarten University of Applied Sciences has cancelled its semester start event in the Culture and Congress Center Weingarten due to the increasing number of corona infection cases. However, the majority of the events at the beginning of the summer semester on March 16th will take place, the university has announced.

"The official welcome event to the start of the semester by the university management and the Mayor is important to us," says Professor Dr. Thomas Spägele. However, it is not absolutely necessary for the start of studies. "For this reason, we have decided not to bring several hundred people together in one room in the current situation," says the university rector.

In relation with the corona virus, the university has communicated rules of conduct to its members. Students and staff have to stay at home, if they have been in a risk area for the last 14 days, regardless of whether they have symptoms or not. In determining the risk areas, the university follows the Robert Koch Institute.

"It is a precautionary measure," says Henning Rudewig. "We follow the recommendations of the responsible authorities." However, a cancellation or postponement of the start of the semester is not planned so far. "We are making every effort to keep the university running without endangering students or staff", said the Head of Administration of the university.

Handling of coronavirus at the RWU

What precautionary measures are taken at the RWU to counteract the spread of coronavirus?

Due to the continuous increase in the number of people infected with the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 in Baden-Württemberg, further measures are required in our state and hence also in the responsibility of the Ministry of Science. These measures are designed to support the nationwide measures and have the goal of counteracting the further spread of the coronavirus.

Lectures and University operation

In a decree of 11 March 2020, the Ministry of Science informed the state's universities that the lecture period will be postponed until April 20th, 2020 and lectures, that already begun, will be interrupted until that date. This concerns all teaching and examination formats. In order to ensure a uniform and legally compliant start of lectures, e-learning formats are also included.

The examinations, originally postponed to March 21th, 2020 due to the storm "Sabine", are expected to take place from April 20th, 2020. The exact substitute examination date will be announced in time.

Bachelor's and Master's degree colloquia can be held in camera.

The schedule decided by the Senate will be revised. Committee meetings will only be held until April 20th, 2020, when they are absolutely necessary.

Conferences, congresses or other dates with external participation at the university are to be limited to what is absolutely necessary.

Questions regarding an extension of the lecture period due to the late start are currently being clarified in consultation with the Ministry of Science and under consideration of the responsibility of the Senate. Information on this will follow.

Notes and rules of conduct

Employees, who show typical cold and flu symptoms, are encouraged to stay at home. The regulations on absences due to illness remain unchanged. With immediate effect, patients with mild upper respiratory tract diseases can obtain a certificate of incapacity to work (AU) for a maximum of seven days after consulting their doctor by telephone. You do not need to visit the doctor's office for this.

All employees of the university are requested to reduce meetings, events and other appointments to the absolutely necessary minimum. Please try to make more use of technical possibilities such as telephone or video conferences.

Employees, who suffer from a weakened immune system due to chronic illness or other cause,s are requested to talk to their superiors. In such cases, the aim must be to give those affected the opportunity to work in the home office temporarily. If home office work is not possible or only possible to a very limited extent, the possibility of taking time off work with continued payment of remuneration should also be examined. In cases of doubt, please contact the personnel department.

If your child's day care centre or school closes due to coronavirus disease, the employees must take care of your child themselves. If the necessary childcare cannot be provided even then, employees have the option of using recreational leave or time credits or taking unpaid leave. In addition, the possibility of home office employment can be discussed with superiors. If the child of a legally insured person falls ill himself or herself, one parent is entitled to ten days' leave per calendar year and can receive "child sickness benefit" for this time.

Returnees from risk areas

In recent weeks, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) has declared a growing number of regions as risk areas or particularly affected areas. Please check the RKI website or media regularly for information on the current situation, especially after returning from trips.

Employees and students who have stayed in a risk area have to work at home. If typical cold or flu symptoms occur, you should first consult your doctor after making an appointment by telephone and referring to the previous trip. Please contact the university subsequently - students contact the student administration, by telephone on 0751/501 9344, employees contact their superiors.

Superiors are requested to agree flexible and independent forms of work with returnees from risk areas, such as home office, as far as this is justifiable for reasons of service. If this is not possible, these persons shall, in consultation with their superiors, remain at home for 14 days from the time they left the risk area. After examining the case, these employees will be released from work for this period with continued payment of their salary or wages.

Business trips and excursions

Business trips or excursions to high-risk areas or a particularly affected area are prohibited; if they have already been approved, business trip approvals must be revoked.

In all other respects, business trips or excursions shall only be approved to the extent that they are absolutely necessary.
 

Communication

For your further questions, the university has set up the following e-mail address: info_corona@rwu.de

Please also check the website of our university regularly. This will be updated continually in case of changes.
 

Precaution: How can I protect myself from the coronavirus?

• Wash your hands regularly.
• Avoid shaking hands and hugs.
• Cough and sneeze into a disposable handkerchief or the crook of your arm yourself. Wash your hands afterwards.
• Use only disposable handkerchiefs and dispose of them in a dustbin after use.
• Ventilate rooms regularly.
• In addition, the university has procured dispenser with disinfectant, which are placed at various central locations of the university.

Symptoms: How do I recognize a possible illness?

The incubation period for an infection with the coronavirus is about ten days (one to 14 days). Visitors, students and people returning to Germany who have spent the last few weeks in risk areas should be aware of the following symptoms:

• fever, cough, shortness of breath, colds
• sore throat, aching limbs
• general morbidity

Whom should I approach?

If you develop a fever, cough or shortness of breath within 14 days of arrival from one of these areas,

• after making an appointment by telephone and referring to your journey, consult a doctor
• avoid unnecessary contacts
• stay at home
• when coughing and sneezing, keep your distance from others and turn away; hold the crook of your arm in front of your mouth and nose or use a handkerchief, which you should dispose of immediately (coughing and sneezing etiquette)
• wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water regularly, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth (hand hygiene).
   

Points of contact in case of suspicion

• State Health Office Baden-Württemberg
  0711 904-39555 (telephone hotline: on weekdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
• District administration Ravensburg
  Public Health Department
  Gartenstrasse 107, 88212 Ravensburg
  0751 85-5311
  ges@landkreis-ravensburg.de

General information on coronavirus and the situation in Baden-Württemberg:

• World Health Organization (WHO) [en]
  Background information and FAQs about the Coronavirus
• Robert Koch Institut
  Current risk regions
• Robert Koch Institut
  Helpful links to diagnostics, prevention etc.
• Federal Ministry of Health
  The current situation and the measures already taken in Baden-Württemberg
• State Health Office Baden-Württemberg
  Information from the Health Office of the State of Baden-Württemberg
• Federal Centre for Health Education
  Important hygiene instructions such as washing hands, coughing and sneezing labels, keeping distance