Corona pandemic: Current developments and regulations at the h_da

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At the end of last week, the Hessian state government passed far-reaching binding regulations on pandemic preparedness, which also concern the restriction of university operations. At this place, all members of the university will always find the current regulations that apply to them.

The Student Service Center is not personally available until further notice. Please use the alternative contact options provided on the university website, such as telephone or the contact form. Applications such as de-registration, leave of absence or similar can currently only be made by post or e-mail (info@h-da.de).

The Student Service Center hotline is available during normal opening hours at 06151.16-33333.

The General Student Advisory Service has expanded its telephone reachability: h-da.de/beratung. You can reach the Student Advisory Service by e-mail at info@h-da.de.

Unfortunately, there are currently technical problems with answering mails that reach us via Microsoft mail accounts, for example Hotmail. We therefore ask you to contact us via alternative mail accounts if possible or by phone at 06151-16-33333.

The examinations of the current semester (winter semester 19/20) take place as scheduled. Nevertheless, the universities must continuously evaluate the feasibility of all examination dates with the current risk situation according to the guidelines of the Robert Koch-Institute (RKI) (hygiene, recommendations for courses, risk areas, etc).

At the h_da the following special regulations apply university-wide in the current examination period (WS 19/20):

Students have the possibility to withdraw from the examination before the examination - at the latest by entering the examination room - without presenting a medical certificate; this also applies to examinations that are compulsory.

Cancellation should preferably be done via the known and usual electronic systems of the university or the respective department.

Deregistration directly before the examination - in exceptional cases - requires a deregistration confirmation by the examiner or the supervisory staff.

The following data must be provided:

            First and last name

            Registration number

            Module number or examination name

Substitute examination dates will be announced in good time for specific departments.

The provisions in detail:

• Returning students from risk areas defined by the Robert Koch-Institut (RKI) are requested to undergo a 14-day preventive home self quarantine - regardless of symptoms - and to return to university only after the assured absence of symptoms. This applies in particular to persons who were or are in contact with a person suffering from the virus. Of course, h_da members with fever, cough or shortness of breath are generally expected to seek medical advice and to stay away from the university in order not to infect others.

• Research and development, library and administration of the universities should be maintained. Employees of these respective areas who have to care for children at home or who belong to the risk group due to previous illnesses, chronic stress, a weakening of their immune system or an age of over 60 years are asked to carry out their work from home as far as possible. Executives are encouraged to consider whether other employees can also work from home.

• State further education and training events as well as scientific and other public conferences and events with a presence character at the scientific institutions in Hesse should be cancelled for the summer semester. Employees of the State of Hesse do not attend external further education events either. Participation in the respective events have to cancelled.

• All travel by students, scientists and researchers and employees of the scientific institutions to countries that are designated as risk areas by the RKI is suspended. Please refer to the RKI website for current information on which areas are included:

  https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/InfAZ/N/Neuartiges_Coronavirus/Risikogebiete.html

  Cancellation fees for business trips already booked by employees will be reimbursed without further justification or proof.

• For all other business trips of employees, executives and employees themselves have to check responsibly in each individual case whether the business trip is absolutely necessary. Alternative means of communication, such as video and telephone switching conferences, are to be examined with priority. If a business trip is unavoidably necessary, the business trip should, if possible, be carried out in a company car without passengers or in a private car. The use of public transport should be avoided.

• All employees who have a notebook or other mobile device for business purposes must take these devices home at the end of the working day.

• In order to reduce the risk of infection, children are not to be brought to the university.

• Internships during the course of study should be subject to an individual risk assessment. A corresponding detailed regulation is in preparation.

In order to react to the developments concerning the spread of the corona virus, a coordinating staff meets regularly at the h_da under the direction of the university management and the department of safety and environment. It is particularly important to protect the health of the people at the h_da.

The university management is aware that the measures taken are restrictive, but they are necessary to prevent the spread of the virus and to protect people at risk.

For employees of the university, the instructions of the Hessian Ministry of Science and Art, which are to be found on the intranet, apply.