Archive for September, 2020
HSZ Sports Program for the Winter Semester Now Available
The University Sports Center (HSZ) has now published its sports program for the winter semester under the title “WiSe 20/21 – Restricted Program”. In coordination with the crisis management team, concepts have been developed to make an extensive sports program possible while meeting the strict distancing and hygiene demands. The HSZ is looking forward to a successful sports program in the new semester and welcoming all sports enthusiasts.
Due to the current situation, the HSZ has already had to cancel all major sports events. Excluded from this are snow events. However, the number of maximum participants will be significantly reduced to make bus travel safe and guarantee that the participating groups are small. Furthermore, there will be no “après-ski” social activities.
Unfortunately, however, the “Extra Tours” initially scheduled for the 20/21 the winter semester must be canceled. The risk of a potential spread of the virus is too great, and the HSZ could not ensure the adoption of the measures needed to contain it.
New Podcast Episode: Prof. Sigwart and the Politics of the Pandemic
In the tenth episode of the “Corona – Our Answers to the Pandemic” podcast series, Professor Hans-Jörg Sigwart from the RWTH Institute of Political Science explains what the political consequences of the Coronavirus crisis could be.
The podcast series features RWTH staff responsible for the digitalization of teaching, virologists and physicians at the University Hospital, the Rectorate of RWTH, the AStA Students’ Committee, political scientists as well as experts from the fields of ethics, economics (including innovation research), computer science, and mechanical engineering.
Listen to the latest espisode in German: Corona – Unsere Antworten auf die Pandemie
New Podcast Episode: “Prof. Amann and the Virus in Wastewater”
In the ninth episode of the ”Corona – Our Answers to the Pandemic” podcast series, Professor Florian Amann from the RWTH Chair of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology explains how Covid-19 viruses can be detected in water and what conclusions can be drawn from wastewater based tests about local infection numbers.
The podcast series features RWTH staff responsible for the digitalization of teaching, virologists and physicians at the University Hospital, the Rectorate of RWTH, the AStA Students’ Committee, political scientists as well as experts from the fields of ethics, economics (including innovation research), computer science, and mechanical engineering.
Listen to the latest espisode in German: Corona – unsere Antworten auf die Pandemie
RWTH Extends Work From Home Policy
In agreement with the Rectorate, the Crisis Management Team has decided to extend the University’s work from home policy until the end of the winter semester (March 31, 2021). The Crisis Management Team came to this decision because this year, in the fall and winter, not only will we continue to face the risk of infection with COVID-19, but we will also have to deal with the seasonally increased occurrences of the flu or common cold. For us at RWTH, the protection of students and employees remains the primary objective.
This decision allows both superiors and employees to make longer-term plans. At the same time, it gives them the leeway to meet challenges such as providing short-term care for children who have fallen ill. It also makes it possible for employees with (mild) symptoms of respiratory infection to work from home until it becomes clear whether they can work and whether they pose a risk of infection to others.
Risk Areas: Transit is not Considered a “Stay”
The Federal State of NRW has added a sentence to Paragraph 2(1) of the NRW Coronavirus Entry Regulation (CoronaEinrVO): “Transit by direct route without overnight stay in the risk area is not considered to be a stay within the meaning of sentence 1.” Since the number of risk areas has increased significantly in recent days, this more specific wording was deemed necessary. For further information on travel-related questions please refer to:
Sports Activities in the Winter Semester – “Snow Events” Can Take Place
The University Sports Centre (HSZ) will offer an extensive sports program in the winter semester despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The HSZ has sought to provide a wide range of sports activities and will communicate the new sports program under the title of “WiSe 20/21 – Restricted Program.” In coordination with the crisis management team, concepts have been developed to make an extensive sports program possible under the strict distancing and hygiene regulations in place due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“I am pleased that we will again be able to offer all sports enthusiasts a comprehensive programme next winter semester. It will certainly also help to make it easier for first-year students to make contacts and to feel at home at RWTH right from the start,” says Peter Lynen, head of the HSZ.
Although the HSZ had to cancel major sports events in the winter semester, the snow events in the neighboring Netherlands can take place at Landgraaf Skiing Hall. However, the number of maximum participants will be significanty reduced, so as to make bus travel safe and guarantee that the participating groups are small.
Unfortunately, however, the “Extra Tours” originally scheduled for the 20/21 winter semester must be cancelled.
Continued Support for Early-Career Researchers
The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has issued an ordinance to continue to soften the effects of the COVID 19 pandemic on early-career researchers employed on a temporary basis.
The maximum duration of the qualification periods of early-career researchers in the “Act Governing Fixed-Term Contracts in Science and Research” will be extended by a further six months. “The COVID 19 pandemic is still ongoing and continues to pose major challenges for scientists and scholars at universities and research institutions,” explains Minister of Education and Research, Anja Karliczek.
With the new regulation, the BMBF follows on from the first extension of the maximum fixed-term contract period by six months, which had already been granted in May 2020 under the Science and Student Support Act due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The original press release (in German) is available at the BMBF website.
Revised RWTH Regulations on Travel
Since September 1, 2020, new regulations regarding the coronavirus pandemic have been in force, which also makes it necessary to adapt the previous RWTH regulations regarding traveling to or arriving from risk areas. On the basis of the legal specifications and out of concern for all University members, the Crisis Management Team, in consultation with the University Management, has agreed upon the following regulations:
Individuals returning from risk areas
Individuals returning to Germany from these areas are obliged to self-isolate for 14-days (§3 (1) CoronaIrVO) and to inform the public health department about their return from a stay in a risk area (§2 (1) CoronaIrVO). The public health department can also require travelers to get tested for COVID-19 within those 14 days (Ordinance on the compulsory testing of persons entering from risk areas).
You can find information from the Aachen Health Department here.
More Study Spaces Available in Library 2
Library 2 is opening more of its dedicated study spaces starting today, with 146 places now available. As in the Main Library, also known as Library 1, the following opening hours for the study spaces apply: Monday to Friday from 8 am to 4.30 pm.
The booking system of the University Sports Center, which RWTH is using for all study rooms on a trial basis, will now also apply for the reservation of the new study spaces. The University Library (UB) emphasizes that prior booking is mandatory.
The new booking system can also be used to reserve study places in the UB. Students can book places exclusively via the new study space reservation system.