Memo

COVID-19 update: winter semester 2020/21

 
COVID-19-Update: Wintersemester 2020/21 1

The 2020/2021 winter semester has begun successfully and it will be another unusual academic year due to COVID-19. The latest developments across Austria make the motto ‘Staysafe: How to protect ourselves and others’ all the more relevant and up to 70% of teaching will take place online. This post provides our students with information on the rules of conduct and how ‘digital first’ works.

Our primary goal is to keep your studies running as smoothly possible – and we can only do that if we all work together!

General rules

Essentially, the rules are: keep your distance, wear a face mask in in all communal areas at FH JOANNEUM, avoid gathering in groups, and adhere to the hygiene rules. Use hand sanitiser when entering the building. Follow coughing and sneezing etiquette and maintain good hand hygiene. If you feel unwell, stay at home. We can only protect each other if we work together.

Extended mandatory mask-wearing for students

The following rules apply from 19/10/2020 until further notice:

  • A face mask must be worn in all communal areas of FH JOANNEUM, including the learning areas.
  • A face mask must be worn during all lectures held in person at FH JOANNEUM.
  • A face mask must be worn during all exams which take place in person at FH JOANNEUM.
Admission and conduct on the premises

Admission to the buildings is only possible with a valid student ID card or by prior arrangement. Students in their first semester who do not yet have their student ID are required to wait outside the building and will be picked up by someone from the relevant institute / degree programme. The institute in question is responsible for organising this.

A minimum social distance of one metre should be maintained at all times on the FH JOANNEUM premises. Students must not gather in groups. From 19 October 2020, face masks are mandatory in all communal areas at FH JOANNEUM until further notice. These include:

  • corridors,
  • foyers,
  • lifts,
  • toilets,
  • social spaces, except where a distance of two metres can be maintained.

Following the recommendations of the Health Ministry, we recommend wearing a face mask and advise against the use of visors.

From 19 October 2020, face masks are mandatory for students at FH JOANNEUM until further notice. Students who do not adhere to this regulation may be expelled from the premises. Students are required to bring their own face mask.

The canteen is closed until further notice due to operational changes.

Procedure in the event of a suspected case of COVID-19

The FH JOANNEUM task force has devised detailed processes for reporting suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19. See herefor details of the procedure for handling suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19. Please read this document carefully so that you know exactly what to do, if required!

Students must report all suspected or confirmed cases.

In the case of a suspected case of COVID-19, the following essentially applies:

  • Stay at home as soon as COVID-19 symptoms emerge (fever, cough, sore throat, breathing difficulties, shortness of breath, catarrh or inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, sudden loss of taste/smell)
  • Contact the health hotline (tel. 1450) immediately and follow their instructions
  • Inform us and your head of degree programme immediately at info_covid19@fh-joanneum.at and provide all of your relevant details and contacts using the COVID-19 reporting form
  • All further steps will be handled by FH JOANNEUM in consultation with the health authorities.

When is a case classed as suspected COVID-19?

  • With the emergence of COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, catarrh of the upper respiratory tract, sudden loss of taste/smell)
  • After coming into contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19, even if you are not displaying any of the typical symptoms
  • In the case of developing other non-COVID symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhoea, the following additional criteria apply: Following return from areas with a high level of the virus or following previous contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19.

If you develop symptoms of COVID-19 while on the premises of FH JOANNEUM:

  • Isolate yourself, put on a face mask and call the health hotline immediately (tel. 1450).
  • Inform us and your head of degree programme immediately at info_covid19@fh-joanneum.at and provide all of your relevant details and contacts using the Covid-19 reporting form
  • All further steps will be handled by FH JOANNEUM in consultation with the health authorities.

All data protection-related information can be found here.

Teaching

Teaching will primarily take place in accordance with the principle of ‘digital first’: teaching should be carried out online whenever possible and sensible. Around 70% of teaching will take place online in total. More in-person teaching will be provided for first-semester students. This will take place in small groups and year groups will be divided up with a proportion of students attending the class online and the others in person. There will be 2-3 days of classroom teaching and 2-3 days of online teaching per week. The exact details of how teaching will take place can be obtained from the degree programme.

Matriculation is required on-site, students will be provided with more precise details by their degree programme. Student ID cards can be collected or renewed in the Study Center.

Any excursions specified in the curriculum can take place under strict adherence to the safety conditions for travel, but are restricted to a minimum. All excursions abroad require regular checking and adherence to the Foreign Ministry’s Travel Regulations and Restrictions.

Vocational internships take place on a regular basis, provided that this is possible based on the latest developments in the COVID-19 situation. If the internships included in the curriculum are not possible, appropriate replacement activities will be planned with the relevant head of degree programme.

Spending a semester abroad is also still possible. Students need to apply to the partner university, obtain the agreement of their degree programme and contact the International Relations Office at FH JOANNEUM.

Exams

Your degree programme will provide you with details on how exams will take place.

Library

Students can collect pre-ordered media from the libraries in Bad Gleichenberg, Graz WEST (Eggenberg) and Kapfenberg. The online scanning service is also available for the procurement of literature. Please use the returns box provided to return items. The reading rooms in the libraries are open at all three sites. Use of the reading rooms is limited to ensure appropriate social distancing. More information can be found here.

Graduation

Graduation ceremonies cannot take place at any of our locations in the 2020/2021 winter semester. Only academic degrees in writing are possible.

Events

No events are taking place at present. Many events are offered online; more information can be found under Events on the website.

FAQ

See here for more frequently asked questions.

Tip:

We wish you a good and successful start to the new academic year! If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us by email, telephone or on our social media channels.