Coronavirus - Important Information for Students

Dear students of Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, 

On this page you will find information that is relevant for your studies at Rhine-Waal University during the Corona pandemic. 

We also ask you to open your university mailbox daily so that you do not miss any new information! 

 

 

 

CURRENT ORDINANCES AND FRAMEWORKS

Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Affairs of North-Rhine Westfalia:

Rhine-Waal-University of Applied Sciences:

 

Reduced validity of test certificates (10 November 2021)

The Ministry of Labor, Health and Social Affairs updated the Corona Protection Ordinance on November 10, 2021. This can be found here (in German). One major change relates to the validity of the tests. The test certificates are now only valid for 24 hours.

Further information (in German):

Test opportunities Kleve district

Test opportunities Wesel district

 

Vaccination opportunities for students (2 November 2021)

After the two vaccination appointments in the summer of 2021, the occupational health and safety team at the Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences was able to organize another vaccination appointment for students.

On Saturday, November 13th, 2021, anyone interested can get the vaccination between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on the campus in Kleve in building 5a.

There are around 200 doses of vaccine available, it is not necessary to make an appointment. The vaccines from Moderna and BioNTech are available. Everyone can get a first and a second vaccination. There will be another date for a possible second vaccination, which the university will announce in good time. If many students want to use the opportunity at the same time, the university asks that they adhere to the AHA rules (distance, hygiene, everyday mask) while waiting.

General information on vaccinations:

  • Eat and drink enough in advance
  • only appear at the vaccination appointment if you are healthy
  • Bring enough drinks in case you have to wait

What to bring with you:

  • Identity card
  • Vaccination card
  • Health insurance card
  • Student ID
  • filled out and signed declaration sheet, download here

 

Information on testing and vaccinating

Information for students considering testing and vaccinating to allow them to take part in the lectures on campus, due to the “3G”-regulations (tested, vaccinated, recovered):

Testing opportunities

Students who have been vaccinated with vaccines other than those mentioned by the Paul Ehrlich Institute under the following address: http://www.pei.de/impfstoffe/covid-19 continue to have a free test offer until 31 December, 2021 (§ 3 para. 1 sentence 1 no. 3 Corona Test and Quarantine Ordinance). These free tests can be taken in the public test centres.

For this purpose, a current certificate of enrolment (student ID), an identity card and the vaccination certificate must be presented at a public test centre.

Vaccination locations without prior registration

Kleve district (for students studying in Kleve)

  • 05.11.2021, 4.00 – 9.00 p.m.: Kevelaer, Petrus-Canisius Haus, Busmannstraße 1
  • 06.11.2021, 9.00 a.m. – 2 p.m.: Rees, Bürgerhaus, Markt 1
  • 07.11.2021, 10.00 a.m. – 3.00 p.m.: Emmerich, Rheinschule, Hinter dem Mühlenberg 1
  • 07.11.2021, 10.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m: Rheurdt, Martinusschule, Meistersweg 1
  • 09.11.2021, 2.00 – 7.00 p.m.: Uedem, Bürgerhaus, Agathawall 11
  • 12.11.2021, 2.00 – 8.00 p.m.: Geldern, auf dem Marktpklatz
  • 24.11.2021, 4.00 – 8.00 p.m.: Straelen, Bofrost-Halle, Fontanestr. 6
  • 30.11.2021, 3.00 – 7.00 p.m.: Kranenburg, Bürgerhaus Kranenburg, Mühlenstr. 7

Further information (in German): https://www.kreis-kleve.de/de/fachbereich5/impfangebote/

Wesel district (for students studying in Kamp-Lintfort)

  • Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3.00 – 8.00 p.m. (drive in): Dinslaken, Heinrich-Nottebaum-Straße 24
  • Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 3.00 – 8.00 p.m.: Kamp-Lintfort, Friedrich-Heinrich-Allee 70
  • Wednesdays and Saturdays, 3.00 – 8.00 p.m.: Wesel, Niederrheinhalle Wesel, An de Tent 1

Further information (in German): https://www.kreis-wesel.de/de/themen/impfangebote/

In addition, students can also address local doctors, in order to assist them with any medical questions. A list of local doctors can be found through the following website: https://coronaimpfung.nrw/impfzentren/impfregister

 

RANDOM GGG-VERIFICATION AND OBTAINING WRISTBANDS (6 OCTOBER 2021)

The latest version of the Coronavirus Protection Ordinance from the Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Affairs of North Rhine-Westphalia entered into force on 1 October 2021. Notably, it simplifies the GGG verification process for universities. While universities are still required to verify the GGG status of everyone attending an event on campus, the verification process itself can now be done via spot checks.

Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences has updated its GGG verification guidelines accordingly. In other words, building access will remain restricted, but HSRW will be verifying the GGG-status of arriving students randomly.

Building access will be restricted as follows:



Kleve Campus:

  • Buildings 1, 2a, 3, 5 and 11: direct access via the main entrance
  • Buildings 2+3: access via building 3
  • Buildings 6-9: access via building 5
  • Buildings 12-13: access via building 11
  • Attention: Access to building 10 is blocked due to water damage!

Kamp-Lintfort Campus:

  • Building 1: direct access via the main entrance
  • Buildings 2 and 3: access via building 2

Wristbands will help simplify the verification process even further for immunised students and staff, and can be obtained at the following places and times:

Kleve Campus:

On Wednesday, 6 October 2021, in the test centre in building 5a from 07:00 to 13:00; afterwards during the operating hours of the test centre:

  • Mondays: 07:00 to 10:00
  • Wednesdays: 07:00 to 10:00 
  • Fridays: 07:00 to 10:00

Kamp-Lintfort Campus:

On Friday, 8 October 2021, in the test centre/access point for the Audimax from 07:00 to 10:00; afterwards during the operating hours of the test centre on the ground floor of the Audimax

  • Mondays: 07:00 to 10:00
  • Wednesdays: 07:00 to 10:00
  • Fridays: 07:00 to 10:00

The wristbands allow access to the university buildings until February 28, 2022 by simply showing them. These ribbons serve as 3G proof when entering the building. However, random admission controls will continue to take place. For this, the vaccination and identity documents must always be carried with you and shown when requested.

 

Canteens reopened (27 September 2021) 

The campus canteens in Kleve and Kamp-Lintfort have reopened on 27 September, 2021. Menu plans for the Kleve canteen can be seen here, for the Kamp-Lintfort canteen here. The canteens are operated by the Studierendenwerk Düsseldorf.

 

Access to central offices and services (27 September 2021)

Since the start of the winter semester 2021-22, the following contact points for students have been reopened:

  • Library
  • Central Student Advisory Service, Student Service, Examination Service, Welcome Center
  • University sports courses and university music rehearsal rooms
  • Service desk of the IT department
  • The university's PC pools / help desk
  • Study rooms for students

In addition, you are asked to use the mailboxes for mail and to avoid personal contact in the post office.

The buildings are accessed via selected buildings and with random 3G control.

 

Travelling to Germany (12 August 2021)

If you are coming from a country that is classified as a risk area you must follow the entry regulations set by the German Government. The names of countries considered risk areas are published on the website of the Robert Koch Institute: https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/InfAZ/N/Neuartiges_Coronavirus/Risikogebi… Arriving passengers from these countries must contact the responsible local health authorities immediately.

 

Interim aid for students in financial hardship due to the pandemic (updated 12 August 2021) 

The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has approved interim financial aid through September 2021 for students in serious financial hardship (demonstrated by appropriate documentation) due to the pandemic. Funds are distributed through the 57 Studierendenwerke throughout Germany. See this page for more information.

 

Updated Hygiene Framework for Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences (12 August 2021)

A partial return to in-person teaching is planned for winter semester 2021-2022. The amount and type of in-person teaching arrangements will vary throughout Germany, as this depends largely on the composition of the student body and different resource requirements, particularly in terms of facility sizes and available personnel.

The planning and implementation of winter semester 2021-2022 must take into account the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and make full use of the many insights and experiences we have gathered thus far. As a whole, the winter semester must be implemented without large groups of people on campus in order to ensure proper social distancing and adherence to hygienic guidelines.

The Hygiene Framework provides guidelines, recommendations and mandatory requirements for preventing the spread of SARS-CoV-2. It describes the necessary precautions which must be taken during the pandemic to ensure the health and safety of everyone at our University.

 

 

In-Person Teaching (updated 12 August 2021)

Courses, labs, practicals and exams will only occur in person in exceptional cases. Students will be informed accordingly. Solutions involving alternative examination formats have been developed and announced by the Examination Boards. 

Note that this restriction does not apply to examinations which do not require your presence on campus, e.g. take-home assignments, lab report and thesis papers. As before, these assignments, if sent by post, must be postmarked by the date of submission (sent ideally as a certified letter with notice of receipt). For examinations submitted by email, the time of receipt must be before the submission deadline. Thesis papers must be uploaded before the deadline in Sharepoint.

Rest assured, we will strive to minimise not only the inconvenience of this decision, but also any disadvantages it may have for you.

 

Opening of the vaccination centres to the public (9 July 2021)

NRW-Minister of Health Karl-Josef Laumann announced that all citizens of North Rhine-Westphalia aged 16 and over are now able to arrange a vaccination appointment in the vaccination centers. This opportunity to book a vaccination appointment is, therefore, also available for students of Rhine-Waal University.  Every student is encouraged to try to get an appointment at a vaccination center or through a family doctor / general practitioner as soon as possible.

The executive board and the faculties would like to return to a higher rate of presence on both campuses, which also reflects the academic life of a university. This has been cut short in the last three university semesters. With a vaccination, students protect themselves and others and enable everyone involved to live a normal everyday life again.

As of July 1st, 2021, 36.5 % of the population of Germany have been fully vaccinated and 54.5 % have received at least one vaccine dose. (Source: impfdashboard.de, RKI, BMG)

The executive board hopes that students will also receive and be able to take advantage of a vaccination offer. This enables the university to adequately pursue its educational mandate. As the vaccination rate increases, this will hopefully lead to more presence on both campuses again in the course of the winter semester 2021/22.

 

Is the length of a Germany Scholarship (Deutschlandstipendium) affected by the pandemic? (updated 14 May 2021)

The general extension of the standard duration of study by one semester (refer to Section 10 (1) sent. 1, Coronavirus Epidemic Ordinance for Universities) also applies to students enrolled in a degree programme in summer semester 2020, winter semester 2020-2021 or summer semester 2021. Thus students who remained in a single degree programme during this time are automatically eligible for three extensions, i.e. three additional semesters added to their standard duration of study. Thus students who remained enrolled in their degree programme during this time are automatically eligible for three extensions, i.e. three additional semesters added to their standard duration of study. Students are only eligible to receive a Germany Scholarship if they have not exceeded their standard duration of study per Section 2 of the Awarding Guidelines of the Executive Board for the Deutschlandstipendium. Accordingly, the maximum possible length of a Germany Scholarship will be extended to a maximum of ten semesters for undergraduates and six semesters for postgraduates.

 

Regulations to offset the negative academic effects of the coronavirus epidemic (11 May 2020)

The North Rhine-Westphalia state legislature enacted regulations to give universities more flexibility in addressing the negative effects of the coronavirus pandemic for academia. The Executive Board then developed its own regulations based on this legislative framework specifically for Rhine-Waal University. Entitled “Regulations to offset academic adversities caused by the coronavirus epidemic (SARS-CoV-2)”, these regulations were developed together with the HSRW working group for digital education and the Faculty Conference as the representative body of the faculties. They combine the wide-ranging provisions enacted by the NRW government with specific policies for our institution to allow for flexible decision-making.

These regulations are intended to provide a framework for implementing online semesters and thus emphasise distance learning throughout. Ultimately, their aim is to ensure the continued function of the University, particularly academic operations. Even in times of crisis, the obligations vis-à-vis teaching and examinations enshrined in our institution’s constitution must be fulfilled.

The Regulations to Offset the Negative Academic Effects of the Coronavirus Epidemic (SARS-CoV-2) can be found here.

 

Which scholarships are available for financing my studies? (11 May 2020)

It is important for students to know who they can turn to at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences for questions and advice about scholarships and financial aid opportunities. We have compiled the most important contacts for you in a single document. Please carefully read this document and direct your specific scholarship / financial aid questions to the appropriate contact person. Information about scholarships and financial aid.

 

Information from your AStA (1 October 2020)

The social order was amended!

In a remarkable initiative, the Student Parliament voted on amending our social order. After a great group effort from the Bylaw Committee and Social Committee of StuPa, as well as its' Presidency and the AStA, an amendment passed unanimously and, once approved by the judicial department of the university, will be able to provide financial aid to students directly affected by the economic effects of the corona outbreak. We will continue to keep you updated on this process.

Corona Task Force

The university established a task force with members from all relevant departments. The task force meets every Monday (online) to update each other about the progress. Our role in these meetings is to provide everyone with an efficient flow of information, from the university to the students and vice-versa. As an active member, the AStA can assure you that everyone in the university is working on finding the most optimal solution for this upcoming semester, in a way that is the less disadvantageous to the students.

Working Group Digital Teaching 2020

The uni established a new working group that includes actors from the presidency, faculties, E-Learning-Centre, ZFQ, Department 5 and a student representative. From today on, Sebastian Ege, our student representative, will meet with the working group members twice a week (online) to bring the students' point of view into the discussion and to keep us informed about the progress and developments made. He will stay in close contact with students from all faculties. So please, contact your respective FSR with your concerns and demands regarding your faculties' plans to shape your studies this semester.

FAQ

For information about the university itself, general corona information and health tips, refer to our Facebook page or the university’s website.

Social Media

Because we are not able to serve the students in person, all our output will be available on social media. We will provide you with important information, sprinkled with some entertainment to help you stay up to date and hopefully reduce your boredom quite a bit.

  • Instagram: asta_hsrw
  • Facebook: asta.hsrw

Document Delivery

If you have urgent documents to be printed, but no printer at home, contact the International Department (e-mail below) with your documents attached and we will deliver them to you as fast as possible. Until now, this service is only available in Kleve, but we are working on establishing it in Kamp-Lintfort.

Online Office Hours

AStA has moved all of its’ work into home office. That means that all departments are there for you, every single day! Share with us your questions, proposals and ideas:

Study Rooms for students

As of Monday, October 5th 2020, the rooms in building 5a (at Campus Cleve) will be available as study- or workplaces.

Due to the current restrictions imposed by COVID 19, prior registration is mandatory. For this purpose, the AStA team has created a freely accessible Moodle course where you will find further information about the applicable rules and regulations as well as a direct link to book available seats.

The following link will lead to the corresponding Moodle course:

https://moodle.hochschule-rhein-waal.de/course/view.php?id=12100

The AStA team will be happy to provide you with further information.

 

The importance of self-care during the coronavirus pandemic

In our current situation in particular, many of us must learn how to deal with our own fears and anxiety. Unexpected situations can cause stress, which can manifest in our body as rapid heart rates, restlessness or even insomnia. Taking care of yourself and your health is more important than ever. This includes acknowledging the emotions you’re feeling and striving for a healthy lifestyle.

The following link provides additional thoughts that may help you better deal with the mental stress of the pandemic. Continue reading

 

Psychological counselling service: Support at a short notice

If you are struggling with a difficult emotional or social situation, Pia Weigelt-Lindemann, psychologist, is available for individual mental health support. Contact her at psych-contact@hochschule-rhein-waal.de to schedule an appointment. Due to the pandemic, psychological counselling is currently only available by telephone (German or English). The Psychological Counselling Service is not available every day, so please be aware that immediate appointments are not usually possible. Also important to note: Psychological counselling is not, nor does it replace, psychotherapy! For more contact, please visit this page.

 

What ist happening with semesters abroad right now?

Students who went abroad through the Erasmus+ programme can prematurely end their semester abroad and return if they wish to do so. Due to the dynamic nature of the pandemic and the changes to exchange programmes enacted by the European Commission in response, Erasmus programme participants are strongly advised to contact the HSRW Erasmus Coordinator in the International Center, Ms Alarcos-Quintanilla, before making a decision: maria.alarcos-quintanilla@hochschule-rhein-waal.de

Students who are planning or currently on an exchange in a non-European country are advised to contact Ms Ahrberg in the International Center before ending or delaying their exchange: anne-carolin.ahrberg@hochschule-rhein-waal.de.

The International Center will help you plan and advise you on any decisions (delays etc.) regarding your upcoming semester / internship abroad.

For information on whether semesters abroad (Erasmus or otherwise) are currently permitted, please refer to the DAAD as well. The DAAD has put together a comprehensive coronavirus FAQ for students here.

 

I had to prematurely end my semester / internship abroad. Will that affect my scholarship?

PROMOS scholarships do not need to be repaid. 

Erasmus students who were forced to end their stays abroad prematurely will receive scholarship funds for the period of time they spent abroad (even if this was less than the minimum length of stay).  Before deciding to return home, Erasmus programme participants should first contact the HSRW Erasmus Coordinator, Ms Alarcos-Quintanilla.

Students who are still completing online courses offered by the partner institution will continue to receive their Erasmus scholarship even if they are physically located in Germany.

 

Can I still join a language course?

Yes, many language courses are currently being offered via distance learning. For more information, please refer to Moodle or contact Brett Ellis at brett.ellis@hochschule-rhein-waal.de.

 

Can I still apply for a Germany Scholarship (Deutschlandstipendium)?

Currently, the application process and deadlines remain unchanged. The selection committee will decide how to deal with potential delays in the study progress of current scholarship recipients. We will explore all possibilities to find a fair and favourable solution for students.

 

Online offers for students 

UNIVERSITY SPORTS ONLINE: Join us from home! 

Career Service job board in Moodle with current openings during the pandemic!

Digital offers and service from the University Library in Moodle! Many publishers have made their e-journals, e-books and databases temporarily free of charge. You’ll find an overview here. You’ll also find a comprehensive overview of the latest coronavirus research on the University Library website. 

 

Current information for the University Library

Information on the services currently offered by the university library can be found here. 

 

WITHDRAWING FROM HSRW

Withdrawal requests can be signed, scanned and sent to: studierendenservice@hochschule-rhein-waal.de 

 

Advising

The Central Student Advisory and the Welcome Centre are still available to students and prospective students. If you are dealing with uncertainty, questions and anxiety in these trying times, please contact our staff. We are here to speak with you online or by phone.

The tutors of the Welcome Centre are also continuously providing helpful tips from a student’s perspective, which can be very valuable in the current coronavirus situation.

For counselling on academic and degree specific questions (e.g. your study progress) get in touch with the Study Guides of the Faculties.

Contact Central Student Advisory

Phone: +49 2821 80673 360

Email: study@hochschule-rhein-waal.de (for scheduling online appointments as well)

Contact Welcome Centre

Email: welcome-centre@hochschule-rhein-waal.de

Facebook: Welcome Centre

Contact Study Guides

Technology and Bionics: elena.buksmann@hochschule-rhein-waal.de

Life Sciences: lena.voelkel@hochschule-rhein-waal.de

Society and Economics: studyguide-fgo@hochschule-rhein-waal.de

Communication and Environment: elena.buksmann@hochschule-rhein-waal.de