Information on the Coronavirus

Due to the current health situation, and due to the closure of day cares and schools, the labour guidelines of Esslingen University, as listed below, have been amended. The aim is to have as many employees as possible be able to work from home and, where this is 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, initially until 15 June 2020.

All information regarding the exceptions 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 Coronavirus
• 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 Coronavirus from our partner, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

The University’s goal is to offer a complete and fulfilling semester for students during this extraordinary situation. The actions taken to slow the Corona-Virus and the restructuring of the curriculum had to be implemented very quickly. Numerous instructors have already been able to start the semester on March 30 with distance learning. More preparation was needed for the switch to digital methods of instruction in other degrees. The University has expanded the core instruction period until July 31 in order to make it possible to transmit all relevant content during the lecture times.

In addition, the examination period has also been moved. It has also been consciously set to encompass 4 full weeks. To this end – should it be necessary- exams can be held in either smaller groups and/or in multiple rooms without colliding with other exams.

The general instruction and exam periods offer departments vast flexibility in order to find suitable solutions fitting to the current situation. These can differ to the general periods, when possible, within a given department: For example, examinations may be completed before August.

The regulations as a whole should reduce the impact of the Corona-Crisis to the greatest possible extent on members of the University. Unfortunately, this may cause a need for some to reorganize their personal plans (ex. summer jobs). The Corona Statutes offer generous regulations in order to react to the individual effects of the Corona-Crisis. Overall, it is important for the University, that the summer semester 2020 does not become a lost semester.

Update: 15. April 2020

Rescheduling the examination period gives the University the flexibility to deal with the altered circumstances for lecture and exam operations. The aim is to enable students to have a qualitative and complete semester, and to give lecturers time to respond to the new requirements.

(Addition, 28 May): Official confirmation of the new examination period dowload (e.g. for travel agent etc.)

(Addition, 25 May): The Corona Statute of 15 April enables lecturers to schedule individual examinations before the new official examination period. For this, they need the permission of the Examination Committee.

Updated: 28 May 2020

The Task Force Corona of the Esslingen University under the leadership of the President has decided that all in-person events, which are not part of the curriculum as well as all colloquia through June 15, are to be cancelled. The basis for this decision is the Corona-Ordinance of the State of Baden-Württemberg. 

Thereby, among others, the Open House planned for May, the Industry-day as well as the Studium-Generale Series “Money Rules the World?” are to be cancelled. In addition, the Rollout of the Racing Team, along with various colloquia of the departments, are also called off.

Section 9 of the Corona Statutes of 15 April 2020 stipulates that board, commission and committee meetings of the faculties as well as the university can be held in the format of a web conference.

Calendar

Update: 15. April 2020

The preliminary examination timetables of the Faculties of: AN, BW, FZ, GU, IT and MB have been posted at the following link. Please first sign in to your university account.

https://intranetportal.hs-esslingen.de/aktuelle-pruefungslisten

The exam dates of the Faculty of ME are still being coordinated and will be posted at a later date.
The Faculty of WI will inform its students personally about their exam dates.
 
If you have questions / problems with the exam dates, please contact the secretary's office of your faculty.
 
Exam registration will be open from 27 May to 9 June 2020.
The examination period is from 3 to 28 August 2020.

Updated: 18 May 2020

The graduation ceremony and the Kandelmarsch, originally planned for 31 July, have been postponed due to the Corona pandemic.

Whether or not the ceremony can take place this year is not yet certain. Further information will be published as soon as possible.

Graduates who completed their studies in the winter semester of 2019/2020 should please contact Student Services to receive their transcripts.

Stand: 28. Mai 2020

Today we would like to turn your attention to the following critiria:

• Cisco WebEx: For the obligatory beginning of lectures on April 20, the video-conferencing system Cisco Webex has been made available for the e-learning formats (virtual lectures, seminars, etc.) Along with videoconferences and online meetings, the sharing of screens, chats, trainings and online events are possible.
  Cisco WebEx Instruction Manual
• Moodle: Moodle-courses are available to you with your University Email address and said password. You will receive an invitation to the courses from the department-head or teacher.
  Moodle Instruction Manual
• VPN: For access to specific services of our University, you will need a special software on you device in addition to your access-data (username and password). This specialized software (OpenVPN) creates a secure connection between your device and the University network.
  OpenVPN Instruction Manual
• Bibliothek: There is currently no access to the in-print material. You will require OpenVPN for unlimited use of the online-library, which is available 24/7
  Library Instruction Manual

Update: 28. March 2020

For the obligatory beginning of lectures on April 20, the video-conferencing system Cisco Webex has been made available for e-learning formats (virtual lectures, seminars, etc.) Along with videoconferences and online meetings, the sharing of screens, chats, trainings and online events are possible.

The Corona Statutes of the Esslingen University from April 15 is observing regulations guiding alternative instruction-content:

Where individual modules or partial-modules are unable to be offered in the given format, it is possible for the instructors to offer substitutions through alternative formats or content, so long as it is suitable in acquiring intended competences.

The Departments Advisory Board has made decisions, in conjecture with the Student Commission and suggestions of the Student Deans, about the recognition of the alternative formats and content.

Download of the Corona Statutes from April 15 2020

Corona Statutes form April 15

Update: 15. April 2020

The Corona pandemic has made it necessary to offer the usual in-person instruction online. In order to create a synergy, the Department of Education and Advance Training has collected some tips for the following aspects:

• Privacy-rights are also in affect online, which is why copyright and personal rights must be adhered to.
  • Invitations to online seminars and web-meetings via link are personalized invitations. Forwarding those links is not permitted.
  • Register with your real name so that it is possible to identify you. Participants with fake names will be removed from the online course.
  • Recording of web-meetings is only allowed with the permission of all attendees (personal rights). Everyone must be able to assume, that participation stays within the “secured room”.  

• Participation advice for live online instruction (synchronous courses) with WebEx
  • Audio
    Find a quite spot and, when possible, use a headset.
    Deactivate your microphone and only turn it on, when you want to give input.
  • Camera
    Normally, turn your camera off to save bandwidth.
    Activate it only, when necessary, if you want to give input.
  • Chat
    Use the chat for questions and answers. Please be careful of you formulation and grammar.
  • Contribution
    If you want to give input, give notice via the “Hand Heben” (raise hand) function. State your name before giving your input. Some may be connected via smartphone and cannot see you.
• Online etiquette: Communicate as if you are standing face-to-face with the person you are „talking“ to.

Download Präsentation "Digital studieren - Do's und Dont's

Updated: 29. April 2020

In order for all students to be provided an equal opportunity for participation in digital learning, the instructors of the Esslingen University will be aware of the following basic prerequisites:

• Good sound and video quality for the online format.
• Availability of additional barrier-free, manageable, written elaborations, along with the recorded course via moodle such as lecture-notes, a legible version of any “whiteboards”, powerpoint presentations, scripts, and the like.
• The written elaborations are available at least until the exams and re-examinations on the learning platform.
• Opportunities for further questions about the course and material.

Notice: Students with disabilities and chronic illness can request an equalization of disadvantages through the examination committee of your department.    

The Corona situation requires students to study from home, and the entire summer semester 2020 has been relocated to virtual rooms. The manner of studying has changed entirely and this can be challenging and sometimes very difficult.

The Counsellors from the Student Advice Centre are there to help with tips, information and coaching. You can contact them online, so that your studies can continue successfully in spite of Corona.

Contact our councellors or simply read the guidelines in the intranet:

Leitfaden "Strukturiert und motiviert Lernen"

Beratungs- und Unterstützungsangebote auf einen Blick

Updated: 26 May 2020

The examination period has been postponed to the time between August 3 to 28. In this way, students should be able to complete examination performances in spite of the operational difficulties.

The Corona-Statute of the Esslingen University from April 15, 2020 regulates the §4 exceptions for the study and exam performances in summer semester 2020:

• Free attempt
  If you fail a study or exam performance during the duration of validity, it will be recognized as not having been attempted.
  This also applies to second and third attempts.
• Electronic completion of study and exam performances
  Study and exam performances (i.e. term papers) can be submitted partially or completely in an electronic form.
• Changes to the type of study and exam performances
  Upon the decision from the Department Advisory Board and Student Commission, the type of the chosen study and exam performances for the current semester can be changed until April 19 2020 (ex. Conversion of a final exam into a term paper). 
• Pushing forward of exams
  The instructors can push their individual exams up from the above-mentioned exam weeks. Required is only the authorisation of the Examination Board. 

Download of the Corona Statutes from April 15 2020

Update April 15, 2020

In all bachelor and master degrees (with the exception to the further-education master’s degrees), a leave of absence may also be granted, in accordance with the Corona-Statutes from April 15 2020, along the following grounds pending verification:

• Activity in a health-care or medical institution or in an institution that is primarily concerned with the professional care of people in need of help.
• Activity in an agricultural business or in a business that is primarily concerned with the basic needs of the public or is system-relevant. 
• A hightend risk for a severe disease progression if exposed to an infection by the Corona-Virus. (part of an at-risk group) through in-person exams.
• Caring for dependents who are at a higher risk of a severe disease progression if exposed to an infection by the Corona-Virus.  
• Remainder of international students in their home countries, as long as travel to Germany is not possible or recommended.

This is also possible for those who are beginning and newly matriculated.

A leave of absence based on the aforementioned grounds shall not exceed three semesters. 

Application

Update: 15. April 2020

Parents can request a leave of absence if they need to care for their child at home due to the closure of schools or daycare facilities (daycare, kindergarten) because of the Corona-crisis based on § 7 Abs. 2 Nr. 5 of the Admissions and Matriculation Regulations, so long as the caring facility remains closed for the majority of the lecture-period.

According to § 7 (8) ZIO, examinations may be taken during this period.

Last update: 7. April 2020

Students given a leave of absence in accordance to §2 Abs. 1 of the Corona-Statute are allowed in summer semester 2020 to take part in courses, complete study and exam performances and use University facilities.

Download of the Corona Statutes from April 15 2020

Update: 15. April 2020

The Corona-Statute of the Esslingen University from April 15 2020 provides for students, who in summer semester 2020 are matriculated at the Esslingen University and not given a leave of absence, will be granted an extra semester, which will be handled in a time-neutral matter. 

The exact details can be found in §3 Corona Statutes from April 15, 2020.

Update: 15. April 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

There will be no excursions in the summer semester 2020, lectures will be held during the excursion week in KW19.

Update: April 15, 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

The University Corona Statute  of 15 April 2020 provides for the following, additional options for the recognition of the practical semester in the summer of 2020:

Taking regular courses from later semesters:
Students who, due to the Corona crisis, cannot begin their practical semester as planned are allowed to take courses from later semesters instead. I.e. moving up a later theoretical semester or an individual module.

Recognition of WFH:
Days that students can work from home as part of the contractually planned work time can be counted as days present. The head of their Internship Office can advise them about this recognition.

Reduction of required presence days:
As long as the required competencies can be acquired, it is possible to reduce the number of presence days to 50 depending on the contractually required working days. The head of their Internship Office makes the decision and recognition dependent on the given and returned records.

Exception: This is not possible for students of SAGP.

Splitting of practical semester:
The practical study semester can be divided into different parts with various internship employers. The individual parts can be completed any time until the end of summer semester 2021.  The head of their Internship Office decides about the minimum scope of the individual parts and the recognition thereof.    

Download of the Corona Statutes from 15 April 2020

Update: 15 May 2020

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

The Corona-Statute of the Esslingen Universty from April 15, 2020 provides the following regulations:

• Students, who have an academic stay abroad during the Corona-Pandemic, may choose to continue studying at the Esslingen University as usual.

• For students of the majors International Industrial Management, who have an academic stay abroad planned during the Corona-Crisis are bounded by special regulations (§7 Abs. 2)

Download of the Corona Statutes from April 15, 2020

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: April 15, 2020

Advisors

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

Corona topic pages of the faculties

• Faculty Social Work, Health and Nursing
• Faculty Engineering Management
  • Engineering Management
  • Smart Factory

Update: 7. April 2020

A general introductory session will not take place for the summer semester 2020. Individual departments might possibly offer individual introductory sessions online. You can find more details through the departments.

A welcome-page of the University has a first orientation to student life.

Update: April 16, 2020

You can theoretically begin your studies in winter semester 20/21. In this case, you will need to register yourself as being in you first semester at the beginning of the winter semester 20/21 so you will be placed in the group of first-semester students.

Summer semester 2020 is deadline-neutral according to §3 Abs 1 of the Corona-Statute from April 15, 2020. You will receive a semester-bonus for all deadlines and will not incur any repercussions.    

The exact exception for the summer semester can be taken from the Corona Statue, with which you may way your options.

Updated: April 16, 2020

The libraries are closed.

All media that has been checked out are automatically extended until April 27, 2020. The return-box in front of the building at the Hilltop Campus remains closed.

The temporary implemented Emergency Checkout is actually no longer accessible.

The online-library is accessible 24/7. All information for research can be found on the library page under the menu item "New online offers".

Should you urgently require specific books, send us the titles via the acquisition form. The library  will determine if a digital version can be bought.

More information

Update: 21. April 2020

The new provincial Corona regulations from 9 May enable the Mensa in the city centre campus to open as of Monday, 18 May, for the sole use of university students and staff.

The city centre Mensa will open with a limited choice of two dishes, one of which is vegetarian.

The usual protective measures regarding hygiene and social distancing apply in the Mensa. Notification of further regulations is posted in the Mensa. Hand sanitizers are available at the entry.

It is not yet forseeable when the Mensas in the hilltop campus or in Göppingen will open.

Further information of the Studierendenwerk Stuttgart

Update: 15 May 2020

The university printer's at the

• Hilltop Campus will remain closed until further notice.
• City Campus is open Monday - Wednesday from 9 am to 1 pm. Printer employees can be contacted via email Thursday and Friday.
• Göppingen Campus is now open on Tuesdays from 9 am to 1 pm.

Hausdruckerei

Updated: 18 May, 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

The laboratories at Esslingen University and all Steinbeis centers will remain closed.

The update of the Corona ordinance of 4 May 2020 continues to stipulate that practical courses requiring specialized labs or workspaces may only take place if absolutely necessary and then only under extra protective measures.

The President's Office is working on a step-by-step process of opening the labs. This is taking place in close coordination with the University Medical and Safety Officers.

It is anticipated that, in its first step, the University will open

•     for course work such as student projects and final exams (not for teaching purposes),
•     and for research and special orders with a group size of up to 5 people.

All lab users must adhere to extra protective measures.

In order to implement this rule, a health safety concept has first to be put in place and preparations made in the faculties and the labs. Until implementation, the previous regulations apply (see above).

Exception: Only lab experiements that are absolutely necessary for research and final exams, and cannot be put off to a future date, are allowed to take place. Here, however, the rules on distancing and avoiding contact apply, along with the simultaneous conformity to the lab safety regulations.

Students should please contact their professors for further questions in this regard.

Update: 5 May 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: April, 16 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 causes uncertainty in many aspects of life both in and beyond your studies. If you need advice and help with clarifying this tough situation, or for planning for what is coming next, the team from Student Counselling is here for you. You can contact us in the following ways:

Online Councelling

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

You can rest assured that all counselling is strictly confidential. Further information about our services can be found here: www.hs-esslingen.de/zentralestudienberatung

• Emergency funding for students: Studierendenwerk Stuttgart

• The KfW Bank Student Loans: KfW-Studienkredit

Further information

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: 5 May 2020