Circular letter to the students (29 September 2022)

29-09-2022

Circular letter to the students (29 September 2022)

Dear Students,

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has had far-reaching consequences, least of all on Germany’s natural gas supplies. We are already experiencing the impact on our daily academic, professional and private lives, for example in lower room temperatures and reduced outdoor and indoor lighting. The University of Münster is obliged by law to reduce its energy consumption by 20% compared to the past five-year average. Achieving this goal will not only depend on comprehensive actions taken by the WWU but also on the support of each and every one of us.

At the same time, we find ourselves in the midst of a pandemic which compels us to continue protecting ourselves and others in solidarity. Contingent on whatever legal regulations may come, the coming winter semester will be conducted in person. Therefore, it is still very important to protect the health and well-being of everyone.

In view of these crises, federal and state authorities have issued regulations which will impact University operations in the winter semester. The University management has responded with corresponding measures which aim to lower energy consumption at the WWU. We are making every effort to mitigate their impact on staff and students as much as possible. Nevertheless, these restrictions will likely have an effect on our personal comfort zones and daily activities at the WWU. In the following, we wish to provide you details on a few measures which may be of particular interest to you.

WE WEAR MASKS!

We strongly recommend that all persons in WWU buildings – including lecture halls, classrooms and examination rooms – continue wearing surgical or PP2 masks. As in past semesters, we wish to continue using this important tool which has been shown to reduce the spread of disease. We also want to demonstrate solidarity with those whose health and well-being depend on the mindfulness of everyone in society. Therefore, we ask you to continue doing your part for the good of all.

Aside from the risk of Covid-19, this recommendation underscores the potential severity of the upcoming cold and flu season. If you experience cold symptoms, please act responsibly: Wear a mask and maintain distance from one another even if you test negative for SARS-CoV-2.

For more information on AHA+L rules and coronavirus vaccinations, click here. These rules may deviate from those of the Faculty of Medicine (FB 05) and the medical campus.

TEACHING AND EXAMINATION ACTIVITIES

The following rules on teaching and examination activities in WS 2022/23 are based on the amendment to the Coronavirus Epidemic Higher Education Regulations (CEHVO), the provisions of which have been extended beyond 30 September 2022. These stipulate that the rules on teaching activities, put in place in SS 2022, will continue as follows:

Courses

As a rule, all courses will be conducted in person in WS 2022/23.

For courses in which attendance is normally compulsory, the CEHVO stipulates that the mandatory attendance rules remain suspended in WS 2022/23.

The framework conditions provided in the regular examination regulations now apply to all courses. This means that, as a rule, courses can be conducted entirely in digital form only if such an option is provided in the regular examination regulations. Naturally, instructors may continue to supplement their lessons with digital teaching elements and hybrid teaching forms based on didactic considerations.

For students with a disability or chronic illness who cannot participate in in-person courses due to substantiated health reasons, they and their respective instructors can agree on compensation for disadvantages in WS 2022/23. For more information, visit https://www.uni-muenster.de/studium/hilfeundberatung/studiummitbeeintraechtigung/ansprechpersonen-barrierefreie-lehre-corona.html. The rules on compensation for disadvantages for required coursework and degree-relevant examinations remain unchanged. Consequently, requests to receive compensation must be forwarded as usual to the corresponding Examinations Offices.

Pregnant students and/or nursing mothers can obtain further information at https://www.uni-muenster.de/studium/hilfeundberatung/mutterschutzgesetz.html.

Examinations

As a rule, examinations will be conducted in person during WS 2022/23.

The CEHVO stipulates that all examinations assigned to WS 2022/23 are subject to the regulatory framework provided in the regular examination regulations. This means that electronic or online examinations may only be administered – as before the pandemic – if such an option is provided in the respective examination regulations. In degree programmes whose examination regulations include provisions on electronic or online examinations, these formats may continue to be offered as before. As in SS 2022, the Rectorate has passed a resolution providing an electronic/online examination option to students in all degree programmes. The respective Dean’s Offices are responsible for deciding on the modalities of the corresponding examinations. Please contact the Dean’s Office or Examinations Office responsible for your examination in advance for more details on the approved modalities.

The rules on free attempts, the conditions for withdrawing from examinations and the possibility of retaking examinations to improve one’s grades are now governed by the regular examination regulations for exams assigned to WS 2022/23. University-wide rules regarding free attempts, grade improvement etc. were discontinued in SS 2022.

For examinations assigned to one of the four semesters between SS 2020 and WS 2021/22 (e.g. retakes of examinations assigned to WS 2021/22), exemptions enacted during the coronavirus pandemic in compliance with the CEHVO or specific directives issued by the Rectorate for the respective degree programmes, remain in place. This also applies to the general provisions stipulated by the CEHVO on free attempts, withdrawal from examinations and grade improvement options.

If you have further questions, please contact the Examinations Office responsible for your examination regulations: https://www.uni-muenster.de/wwu/fak_fb/pruefungsaemter.shtml.

WE SAVE ENERGY!

To achieve the federally mandated goal of reducing energy consumption at universities by 20 % compared to the past five-year average, we at the WWU are currently implementing several energy-saving measures. These include reducing room temperatures and switching off outdoor and indoor illumination in and around University buildings. You can find an overview of these measures here. We also wish to share information with you about another significant measure which could have a huge energy-saving impact depending on your participation:

Building closure from 24 Dec. 2022 to 8 Jan. 2023

The University of Münster will be able to save a considerable amount of energy by closing buildings during the Christmas holidays from 24 Dec. 2022 to 8 Jan. 2023. We must take advantage of this relatively simple but extremely effective measure, and therefore, we ask you to support us in this endeavour. For the University, this means:

The WWU will enter so-called “energy-reduction mode” from 24 Dec. 2022 to 8 Jan. 2023, during which time the indoor temperature of buildings – and especially offices – will be reduced from 19 °C to about 16-17 °C. This does not apply to residential units, such as guest accommodations.
University buildings will be closed during this period. If you are employed as a student assistant, please speak with your supervisor on how or whether you can perform your duties.
During the holidays, (cross-disciplinary) students will have some 1,500 workstations/carrels at their disposal at certain central libraries. The following libraries will remain open and heated at 19 °C during this period:

ULB central library at Krummer Timpen
Law department libraries I and II
Library at the Faculty of Medicine

The other libraries will be closed between 24 Dec. 2022 and 8 Jan. 2023.

What this concretely means for you:
The University buildings will be completely closed to students from 24 Dec. 2022 to 8 Jan. 2023.

You will still have access to numerous resource materials and literature during this period at the following branch libraries:

ULB central library at Krummer Timpen
Law department libraries I and II
Library at the Faculty of Medicine

There will also be a sufficient number of workplaces heated to 19 °C for those preparing for examinations. Students will be allowed to wear coats and jackets in the ULB main library at Krummer Timpen.

For branch libraries closed during this period, students will generally be granted extensions on borrowed books and media to make it easier to prepare for examinations. Please inquire about these possibilities at the respective libraries in advance.

The last one out turns off the lights!

Each of us can actively contribute to reducing our energy consumption by 20% compared with the past five-year average by doing relatively small things. For example, by simply turning off the lights. Lights should only be on when they are actually needed. And if you’re the last one to leave the room, please turn off the lights! During your academic day, check if any lights are unnecessarily on and switch them off. In working rooms with multiple light sources and separate switches, only turn on those lights which you absolutely need for your work. For more ideas on how you can save energy at University and at home, click here.

We thank you for your personal commitment for the benefit of all and wish you a successful start in the winter semester 2022/23!

Sincerely yours,

Prof. Dr Johannes Wessels, Rector

Matthias Schwarte, Head of Administration