Archive for June, 2020
University Library Study Spaces Can Now Be Booked
Study spaces at the University Library can now be booked. The corresponding system has been activated and from now on, workstations can be booked for the following three days. The University Library would like to point out that capacity is limited in order to comply with the hygiene and distancing rules. It is possible to book via the following page:
https://index.ub.rwth-aachen.de/lernplatzreservierung/Lernplatzreservierung.html
For further information please see: https://www.ub.rwth-aachen.de/cms/UB/Bibliothek/Aktuell/~ihcpe/FAQ-Lernplaetze
Health Department Gives Advice on Summer Vacations
The Health Department of the Städteregion has provided important information about the upcoming summer vacation – especially for travellers who going to so-called “risk areas”. As of today (Friday, June 26), the current NRW Coronavirus Entry Regulation requires a quarantine at home upon return. Travellers may choose to get tested and will bear the costs for this.
A new corona entry regulation has been in force in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia since June 22 and is currently in effect until July 1. Nevertheless, travellers now going to risk areas should take into account that the same or similar rules will still apply on the day of their return, according to the health authorities. In addition to the comprehensive regulation of the state of NRW on all issues concerning return from travel, the Public Health Department of the StädteRegion Aachen has now published a list of FAQs at: https://www.staedteregion-aachen.de/reiserueckkehr and www.aachen.de/corona under the heading “Hilfreiche Informationen”, which provides important information on returning to NRW after a vacation.
New Exam Plans to Be Published July 1
The rescheduling of the examination phase in the current semester is almost complete. The new exam plans are set to be published on July 1. The registration period for centrally planned examinations will be extended up to and including July 6. Students should note that different regulations apply depending on the department involved. AStA recommends registering for exams now – if the new exam date is not convenient, it is possible to withdraw after July 1. From July 1, students can withdraw up until five minutes before the start of the respective exam via RWTHonline. Up to now, it was necessary to send an mail to the Central Examination Office (ZPA) to request this. The university would, however, ask you to cancel your registration three days in advance in order to help with planning.
Further information on these and other regulations can be found at asta.ac/corona
Limited Availability of Study Rooms in the University Library From July 1
A limited number of study spaces in the University Library will be available once again from July 1. In a pilot operation, some workstations will be made accessible, but only under the respective hygiene measures, including, for example, a reduced number of places, binding reservation, and the registration of users. Further information will follow shortly.
New Guidelines for Holding Excursions
In addition to the guidelines on holding written exams and practical courses, the Crisis Management Team of RWTH has now provided a guideline on holding excursions. They follow the guidelines of the University Ordinance on the Coronavirus Epidemic and the General Decree on Holding Courses, Practical Courses, and Examinations at Universities in North Rhine-Westphalia issued by the NRW Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Affairs for summer semester 2020. According to these guidelines, the individual in charge of the excursion must submit an application for an in-person excursion to the responsible Dean of Studies well ahead of the planned event. This form, agreed upon with the Staff Unit of Occupational and Radiation Protection, must be used. If the case is approved, the form, as signed by the Dean of Studies, must be sent to the Crisis Management Team (krisenstab@zhv.rwth-aachen.de). The currently valid distance and hygiene regulations stipulated by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) must be adhered to for all excursions, as well as all examinations and courses. All the guidelines can be found in the download area on the pages related to the coronavirus on RWTH’s website:
Latest RWTH Podcast Episode: Challenges for Staff Members
The seventh episode of the RWTH podcast Coronavirus – Our Answers to the Pandemic looks into how staff could be protected during the pandemic while maintaining RWTH operations. In an interview, Werner Möller, Head of the RWTH Department of Human Resources, reports on the challenges for staff members. Together with his team from the RWTH Chair of Sociology of Technology and Organization (STO), Professor Roger Häußling conducts video chat interviews with those responsible for the digitization of teaching, as well as virologists and physicians at Uniklinik RWTH Aachen, the Rectorate of RWTH, AStA, political scientists and experts in ethics, economics (including innovation research), computer science, and mechanical engineering.
https://www.rwth-aachen.de/cms/root/Die-RWTH/Profil/Social-Media/~hpfrd/RWTH-Podcasts/?lidx=1
Due to Coronavirus: Lousberglauf Is an Online Running Event
This year, the cult Lousberglauf will be an online event that is free of charge, independent of location, and accessible to all interested parties. The first online running event in Aachen is being prepared. The Lousberglauf digital powered by STAWAG run will take place in the week from June 29 to July 5th and is organized by the RWTH University Sports Center (HSZ). Anyone can take part in the event. Only the distance of 5,555 meters is set. Participants can cover this distance on a route of their choice and record their running time with a sports app. They can then send their results to the organizers online. Peter Lynen, director of the HSZ, is eagerly awaiting the first online Lousberglauf: “I think we have succeeded in creating a great alternative to the popular Lousberglauf in these extraordinary times dominated by Covid-19.
Alternative Online Program for “Girls go MINT + Sport”
With the “Girls go MINT + Sport” program, girls can gain exciting insights into STEM disciplines. In light of the current situation with the pandemic, the RWTH Equal Opportunities Office has put together an alternative online program and provides inspiration for the topics of natural sciences and technology with various downloads (only available in German).
https://www.rwth-aachen.de/cms/root/Studium/Vor-dem-Studium/Schnupperangebote-Infotage/~cevs/lidx/1
Lecture Halls Capacity for Exams Adjusted
Following the updated guidelines for the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, the capacity of the lecture halls has been adjusted for the current examination phase. An overview of the current capacity of the exam spaces is available in the download area on coronavirus on the RWTH website:
UROP International Research Internship for Students Has Moved Online
Due to the current travel restrictions, students are unable to take part in exchange programs or experience study periods abroad. RWTH Aachen University has, therefore, launched a unique research internship opportunity for 25 students from the USA and Canada – taking place entirely online and over a distance of more than 6,000 kilometers.
Every year, from May to July, the RWTH International Office supervises the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) International. American and Canadian students then come to Aachen for a ten-week research internship. To make student exchange possible despite the current COVID 19 pandemic, the Chair of Information Management in Mechanical Engineering (IMA) adapted the project plan and designed a concept for a virtual encounter. On this basis, the International Office created a comprehensive virtual experience consisting of tours, buddy offers, and a welcome event.