Information on the Corona virus

The virus is currently spreading quickly in China; large numbers of cases have already been diagnosed especially in Hubei province and its capital Wuhan. The number of cases is continuing to increase further and there have now unfortunately also been numerous deaths. The transmission paths of the infections have not yet been fully clarified. The fact that the virus can be transmitted from person to person has meanwhile been scientifically clarified and verified.

On 30 January 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) stated that the current outbreak of the Corona virus in China was a “health emergency of international concern”.

The German Foreign Office (AA) is therefore currently warning against travelling to the Chinese Hubei province. It has also issued a general recommendation that non-essential trips to China should be postponed. If you nevertheless intend to travel to Asia, you should observe the general hygiene measures which the WHO recommends.

We recommend that staff and students of Esslingen University of Applied Sciences who are nevertheless planning a stay in China obtain detailed information before they set off. We recommend that German nationals who are currently in China or cannot avoid travelling to the People’s Republic register with the German Foreign Ministry.

The same information applies to trips to the other high-risk regions; this information is published and regularly updated by the Robert Koch Institute.

• Robert Koch Institute (DE)
  Current high-risk regions

We ask all members of the university to undertake business trips, particularly foreign trips, only when they are absolutely necessary in the near future and the visits cannot be postponed.

Due to the current health situation, and due to the closure of day cares and schools, the employment regulatory guidelines of the Esslingen University –as listed below- have been expanded. The aim is to have as many employees as possible be able to work from home and when not possible, to minimize their contact to others. We ask all supervisors and employees, to support this goal in the name of our University community.

The following exceptions take effect immediately and initially until April 19.

All information regarding the exeptions can be found on the Intranet

These measures are recommended for everyone as general precautions:

• Wash your hands with soap and water as often as possible or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
• Avoid close contact with people who are coughing, sneezing or have a temperature.
• Cough or sneeze into a handkerchief or your bent elbow, not into your hands.
• Ventilate the rooms in which you are spending time on a regular basis.
• If you have a temperature, a cough and breathing difficulties, contact your doctor by phone at an early stage.

These measures are recommended everywhere and for everyone as general flu’ protection measures.

We are taking all possible measures to protect staff and guests of the university from becoming infected.

• World Health Organization (WHO)
  Background information and FAQs on the Corona virus
• Robert Koch Institute
  Helpful links on diagnosis, prevention etc.
• Bundesgesundheitsministerium
  Information from the German Federal Ministry of Health

• DAAD – Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst
  General information on the Corona virus from our funding organisation for the international exchange of students and scientists

University members who have spent the last few days in a risk area designated by the Robert Koch Institute, are requested to make telephone contact with the university. We ask

• students to contact the Studierendenservice und Studiengangmanagement, Phone +49 (0) 711 397-3050,
• staff and professors are requested to contact the Human Resources Department +49 (0)711 397-3602.

Please initially stay at home for 14 days – even if you are not showing any symptoms of illness – and do not leave your home, if possible.

Robert-Koch-Institut: Risk Areas

The Task Force Corona at the University,  which includes the Presidents's Office, the departmenst of facility management, health management, occupational safety and communication, is monitoring the situation closely and on a continual basis.

The Task Force will send out information, should further measures need to be taken due to the developing situation.

Yes, all courses, as well as Project-work and Student-Projects at all three locations University-wide until April 19.

This includes:

• Courses and activities of the University Sports (Hochschulsport)
• The University Musik (Hochschulmusik)
• Mathe-prep courses and Physics compact-courses
• Language courses
• Safety and Basic-instruction
• First-semester events
• Continuing-education courses
• This also applies to events and parties of the departments, Student Body, AStA, the student group CampusLeben e.V. as well as
• All events from external providers.

Update: March 20, 2020

• Starting March 30, lecturers will get in contact with the students and –where possible- offer the first courses. Until then, the departments are preparing to offer the best-structured lecture and practice materials.
• The uptake of study programs on April 20 is being prepared- eventually also as online teaching.
• Due to the unpredictability of the Corona-Crisis, unfortunately, further statements about the continuation of the semester cannot be made at this time.

We cannot comment at this moment. We are clarifying if the missing lectures will be made-up or if the content will be shortened.

Please have understanding, as we are waiting for direction from the Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts. We will inform you promptly, once more is known.

Update: March 13, 2020

• Starting March 30, lecturers will get in contact with the students and –where possible- offer the first courses. Until then, the departments are preparing to offer the best-structured lecture and practice materials.
• The uptake of study programs on April 20 is being prepared- eventually also as online teaching.
• Due to the unpredictability of the Corona-Crisis, unfortunately, further statements about the continuation of the semester cannot be made at this time.

Update: March 20, 2020

Our goal is for the examination period stays intact. A definitive statement cannot yet be made at this moment. Here too we are waiting for instructions from the Ministry and will inform you promptly.

Update March 13, 2020

The application deadline for your Bachelor’s and Master’s Theses remain. Also the submission deadline remains unchanged and must be adhered to. Naturally you may further questions discuss with your professors.

In the faculties there may be special regulations for this. Please inform yourself about this on the faculty webpages.

Update: March 20, 2020

Excursions are cancelled. The Project-works also are not taking place. Research, however, may continue.

There should not be any excursions planned for in the excursion week CW 19, so that room for the lectures may be freed up.

Update: March 13, 2020

Please clarify these questions with your department and company. Surly you can find a good solution for the special circumstances.

Update: March, 13, 2020

As long as the companies or institutions stay open, everything continues as planned. Should the partner company or institute close, set up a home office for you or if other conditions of your practical semester change, we will search for a solution in this special situation. Please consult your department in this case. The contact-person can be found below.

Update: March, 13, 2020

At this time we advise all students against beginning a study abroad semester. Please consult the International Office.

The application process for future study abroad semesters continues to be open as usual. Applications for study abroad semesters during the winter semester 2020/21 are possible.

More information

Update: March 24, 2020

Please consult your department should you have questions related to your course of studies. You will find the advisors for your department below.

Update: March 13, 2020

We are planning that only few introductory sessions in the individual departments will be offered.  Exact details are being worked out in the departments. We will inform you, once we know more.

Update: March 13, 2020

Update March 18, 2020

The library is closed. In order still be able to lend out books, the library has created an emergency-check-out in the Hilltop Campus library. Priority is given to students of the Esslingen University who are currently writing their Bachelor’s or Master’s theses.

More information

By order of the state of Baden-Württemberg, the canteens and cafeterias will be closed from Tuesday, 17 March 2020 until 19 April 2020.

Further information of the Studierendenwerk Stuttgart

Update: March 17, 2020

The In-house printing in Göppingen and the Hilltop Campus remain closed until April 15.

The In-house printing in the city-campus will be occupied Mondays from 9 am to 1 pm. Employees of the in-house printing are available via email Thursday and Friday.

Hausdruckerei

Update: March 13, 2020

No, the learning areas in the library, the learning-pools, the computer labs and seminar rooms, as well as further rooms at the University cannot be used in the given time period. We thank you for your understanding!

Update: March 13, 2020

No, the labs are closed. Exceptions are only made for research. Should you need entrance to the labs for your Bachelor’s or Master’s thesis? The please contact your advisor.

Update: March 13, 2020

The Cafes at all three locations are closed.

Update: March 13, 2020

The Studierendenwerk Stuttgart has put all information about specific questions for the dorms regarding the Corona-Virus on a special page.

Further information of Studierendenwerk Stuttgart

Update: March 13, 2020

All service departments and institutions of the Esslingen University are available vie telephone and E-Mail.

Update: March 13, 2020

Due to health-prevention reasons, to the all University buildings are effective immediately accessible only conditionally for students and external visitors. Students please contact your advisors in your department.

Update: March 17, 2020

As you have most likely read, schools, day cares and preschools in all of Baden-Württemberg will be closed starting Tuesday, March 17 2020. We are currently waiting for further instruction from the responsible Ministries. Should you not be able to come to work due to the closures, we ask that you talk to your supervisors about telecommuting or taking vacation/ overtime-reduction.

We ask you to refrain from bringing your kids wit you to the University.

Please contact the HR for further questions.

So long as the University buildings are closed due to the current Corona Virus-situation, students do not have any opportunities to validate their student body cards. Therefore, in the case of one’s ticket being checked, one cannot prove that one is matriculated through the student-id.

The Studierendenwerk Stuttgart has reached an alternative solution with the Stuttgart Transit Office (VVS). Until further notice:

Students can use the public transportation as needed. For travel between Monday and Friday, 6 pm to 5 am on the following day- as well as the all day on weekends and holidays- you may use your student body card in combination with you matriculation certificate for the summer semester 2020 to prove your enrollment. With this, one is also able to purchase a VVS-Student ticket.  

Further information from the Studierendenwerk Stuttgart:  https://www.studierendenwerk-stuttgart.de/ueber-uns/aktuelles/nachricht/coronavirus-informationen-fuer-studierende-und-beschaeftigte/)

Further information

Update: 23. März 2020

“No drawbacks from BaFöG due to Corona” – is the comment given by the various State-Ministers for Education and Research.

 State-Minister for Education and Research Anja Karliczek has clarified that:

• Students, who are dependent on support from The German Federal Training Assistance Act (BaFöG) should not feel any financial disadvantages in the case of their educational institution temporarily closing - or postponing the start of the semester- due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
• In addition, students beginning their studies who were (thus far) unable to start their planned studies in summer semester 2020, will receive support -as intended- from the point that the semester normally would have begun.  
• Unavoidable causes due to the pandemic constitute serious grounds for the discontinuation of one’s education according to the BaFöG § 15 Abs. 3 Nr. 1. For example, this is also the case should you need to push final examination to a time after the planned study period. According to § 48 Abs. 2 BAföG, the deadline for submitting documentation of study performances may also be pushed back.    

Ressource for further information

Who can help me?

Studierendenwerk Stuttgart

Students of the Esslingen Universtiy should direct questions to their respectable Departments for Educational Support at the Studierendenwerk Stuttgart: https://www.studierendenwerk-stuttgart.de/geld/bafoeg/

Student Advice Office

The team at the Student Advice Office of the Esslingen University is always at your side for further counseling.

Student Advice office

Contact Student Advice Office
E-Mail: zentralestudienberatung@emails.hs-esslingen.de
Telefon: 0711 397 3212 

Update: 25. March 2020

The corona-crisis brings a number of uncertainties with it and asks questions of various aspects of life beyond studies. If you wish to receive advice and help with clarifying tough situations, as well as planning for what is next, the team in the Student Advice Center are here for you. You can contact us in the following ways:

Onlineberatung

Contact
E-Mail: zentralestudienberatung@emails.hs-esslingen.de
Telefon: 0711 397 3212 

The advising is confidential! Further information about our advising-competencies can be found here: www.hs-esslingen.de/zentralestudienberatung

Further information regarding The German Federal Training Assistance Act (BaFöG) can be found under the question: Will I receive BaFöG-support even with the postponement of the beginning of the semester?

Update: 25. March 2020