Students and universities absolutely have to be considered in the scenarios for further action in the coronavirus crisis, demands President of the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK) Professor Dr. Peter-André Alt, regarding the resolutions passed by the German and state governments on Wednesday. “Students and universities also have a great interest in returning to secure in-person classes, where possible, at least partially and differentiated. We have students who have been enrolled for two semesters and have never seen the university and their fellow students in person. Exam candidates have a legitimate interest in continuing their exam preparation promptly and safely, at least partly, in person – here, too, test concepts can and must be carefully tried out and quick tests used. The same applies to enabling laboratory exercises,” according to an HRK press release.
According to the president of the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK), the considerations in the resolutions for schools cannot be transferred directly to universities, but would of course have to be adapted and backed up with correspondingly comprehensive resources for the universities in view of the logistical effort involved, the statement continues. Virtual platforms could also be the tool of choice at universities to effectively and quickly track the contacts of infected individuals.
“However, if more face-to-face teaching is possible again via testing and vaccination strategies, these options should also be used. Furthermore, our employees in research, teaching, and administration should be able to access free rapid tests in the same way as is advised for employees of companies,” said Professor Oliver Günther, HRK Vice-President for Governance, Teaching, and Studies. “This equal treatment is important, also as recognition of the teaching and research services provided in universities for society as well as the important educational task that universities assume. We should not forget that research at universities is precisely what has made the positive developments through vaccination possible in the first place.”