Information on the novel coronavirus
Message from the president regarding the beginning of the summer semester 2020
Germany is still dealing with the corona pandemic. However, the universities are entering the summer semester 2020 in the coming days – digitally. President Professor Bernd Scholz-Reiter has taken the opportunity to address all students and staff of the University of Bremen and open the summer semester in a digital manner.
Status on 17.04.20
Dear students, dear staff members,
Yesterday, the federal chancellor together with the state prime ministers decided on initial measures to ease the restrictions that have been ruling our lives for weeks. Several of said measures relate to the universities. It is intended that alongside examinations, practical classes that require special laboratories/working space at the university can be undertaken once more in the future in the frame of face-to-face operations under the application of special hygiene and protection measures. Libraries and archives can be opened again if regulations pertaining to hygiene, controlled access, and avoidance of queues are in place.
These decisions obviously affect the University of Bremen. For the time being, there are no changes to the general regulations. The University of Bremen still remains in emergency operation mode. However, under the adherence to strict regulations, successive opportunities for teaching and examinations that require presence on campus will be created from May 4 onwards. This step will be implemented with the required care, as the protection of health remains our top priority.
In the coming weeks, we, the University Executive Board, will consult with the deans on how we can specifically realize the new decisions at the University of Bremen. Not all of the easing measures will be directly available from May 4. They will require time and we ask that you have the necessary patience. We are currently able to foresee that access to the university buildings will not generally be granted but rather that the access will remain highly restricted. The general distancing and hygiene regulations still need to be adhered to.
We know that this period poses big challenges for many of you. That is why we are doing our best to find clear and effective solutions for you. Our main priorities are still curbing the spread of the pandemic and the best possible realization of the study operations under the given conditions.
We thank you for your support in dealing with this crisis and for the trust you have placed in the University of Bremen.
I wish you good health and all the best,
Bernd Scholz-Reiter
President
16.04.20
Dear teaching staff, dear students,
In the days before the start of the digital lecture period in the summer semester, we will be regularly informing you of the latest news via email or the Corona Update area on the university website. I find this to be extremely important as many factors in the coming weeks cannot be planned and determined.
While I am writing this message, the German chancellor is in negotiations with the state prime ministers regarding possible first steps to reduce the corona measures. We will repeatedly face such appointments in the coming weeks and some of them will influence the frameworks for teaching and studying.
Before I address the most recent Rapid Decision Document from the president concerning examinations in the summer semester, I, as vice president academic, would like to thank all of you: The teaching staff, who in the past weeks have worked with great dedication on planning classes for the coming semester, who communicate with their colleagues about said classes and how they can realize their ideas in the best way, and who are learning about new tools and software so that they can master the digital semester at short notice. I want to also thank the students who are going along with new learning and teaching scenarios, who must deal with their uncertainty regarding how everything will develop and have in some cases turned to the president or myself for advice. I hope I have been able to answer most of your questions.
Now I come to the president’s Rapid Decision Document on examinations: We currently do not know if we will be able to carry out face-to-face examinations at the end of the semester and if so, in which form the examinations will take place under the given conditions. You, dear students, do however have the right to find out which examinations you face. The examination types (module examinations, partial examinations, combined examinations) and examination forms (e.g. written examinations, term papers, oral examinations) are stated in the Examination Regulations. If we are unable to hold face-to-face examinations then we may have to implement a new examination form such as e-term papers or open-book examinations, or instead of written examinations we may have to introduce portfolio examinations with formative (ungraded) and summative (graded) parts, and maybe oral video-based examinations. In order to make that possible, the president made the rapid decisions stated in the linked document. I hope that this document will help us all – the teaching staff in displaying the competence aims that are to be examined in the examination scenarios that are currently possible, and the students in enabling you not only to study within modules but to also acquire the credit points. I hope you all have a successful start to the digital lecture period.
Thomas Hoffmeister
Vice President Academic
Dear students,
you probably have a great deal of questions regarding the learning/teaching situation in the coming summer semester. Maybe you have childcare responsibilities and it is not yet foreseeable when and if childcare will be available again. We would like to provide with the most important points for the coming semester, even if a lot of things are uncertain right now.
- We will begin the summer semester in a solely digital manner.
- Not all learning formats, for example laboratory courses and excursions, can be carried out. Therefore, either replacement formats will be found or the affected class forms will be postponed.
- The digital teaching and learning forms will change from module to module and you should use the time after Easter until the start of the lecture period on April 20, 2020, to find out more about the teaching offers on Stud.IP. Internet access with a good connection and a computer/tablet are also important.
- There will be learning scenarios that are time-independent, for example screencasts, exercises on Stud.IP etc., and also time-dependent learning scenarios such as streamed lectures, which may also include interactive surveys or web seminars, during which you have to participate in the timeframe stated in the class catalogue.
- It is currently not foreseeable if and when face-to-face learning/teaching situations will take place in the summer semester. Some of the classes that are now being digitally prepared will not be able to change back to being face-to-face classes. In other cases it will be possible. The acute situation surrounding the pandemic will be decisive in terms of which scenarios are possible.
- We will try to offer adequate exams. It may be the case that we have to make changes to the exam types and formats stated in the exam regulations and module descriptions. However, not all exams will be able to take place without face-to-face interaction and there is still great uncertainty concerning when and how face-to-face exams will be able to be carried out. We will inform you as soon as we know more.
Kind regards and take care,
Thomas Hoffmeister
Vice President Academic
Dear students, dear teaching staff,
You have surely been asking yourselves when the lecture period will now begin. It was intended that it begin on April 14, but the senatorial authority then made the decision to cancel all face-to-face classes up to and including April 17. During a telephone conference of the state councilors for the state departments of science yesterday, it was decided that all states would begin the summer semester on April 20 with digital teaching (https://www.sueddeutsche.de/gesundheit/gesundheit-hannover-thuemler-das-sommersemester-2020-wird-digital-dpa.urn-newsml-dpa-com-20090101-200402-99-570642).
A great deal of the teaching staff, myself included, will be spending the time until then preparing their digital lessons. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who is involved in making studying with digital tools possible for the students at such short notice. We are currently purchasing comprehensible licenses for the Zoom online conference software in order to enable synchronized teaching formats such as seminars or streamed lectures. Asynchronous learning/teaching types will also be used. The ZMML’s virtual teaching page (https://www.uni-bremen.de/zmml/lehre-digital/virtuelle-lehre/) not only offers inspiration and tips for digital learning/teaching formats for teaching staff but also gives students the chance to take a look at what types of formats are being proposed and how to prepare for these. Both teaching staff and students should use the week between the planned lecture period begin on April 14, and the actual begin on April 20, to use our Stud.IP learning management system to communicate with each other regarding the learning/teaching formats and clarify how classes will be held.
I wish you all the best for your preparations and a great start to the digital summer semester 2020,
Thomas Hoffmeister
Vice President Academic
Dear applicants and students,
Based on the federal measures put in place in order to curb the spread of the coronavirus, the University of Bremen entered emergency operation mode last week. Despite these circumstances, we still want to make enrolling, applying, and re-enrolling for a degree at the University of Bremen possible for you, successful applicants and persons interested in studying.
By means of the following changes made to the student administration practices, which are stated in the rapid decision document, we hope to provide you with clarity and relieve you of your worries. We want to create the best possible conditions for your degree and also minimize possible personal disadvantages that may arise due to the current situation. Our first priority is obviously to protect your health and the health of all university staff members.
Deadlines concerning the enrolment of new students for the summer semester 2020 will be generally extended until April 30, 2020. Additionally, certified copies of documents that must be submitted, e.g. the certificate of qualification for university entrance, may be replaced with simple copies. Special skills that are required in order to be accepted for a degree are still necessary but proof of said skills does not need to be submitted until April 30, 2020. Should you not be able to adhere to this new deadline, you may make use of preferential admission for the winter semester 2020/21. We were also able to create new regulations for Erasmus and other exchange students, students of preparatory studies, and doctoral students.
We are not able to free you from the obligatory fee for the semester ticket despite no face-to-face classes taking place. This is due to the contracts entered into by the transport companies and the student body. The Fee Regulation Order remains valid. You are still able to re-enroll for the summer semester 2020 even if you are unable to provide documents that must be submitted due to the protective measures against coronavirus. The application portals for all degrees with an application deadline of July 15, 2020, will open on June 1, 2020.
Please read the changes made in the rapid decision document carefully. You can, of course, contact us directly if you have enquiries regarding your own situation.
Despite the complex situation, I wish you all the best for your studies at the University of Bremen.
Kind regards and take care,
Thomas Hoffmeister
Vice President Academic
Dear University of Bremen members,
It is with great sadness that I must inform you that Dr. Andreas Hilboll passed away yesterday (March 25, 2020) in a hospital in Crete as the result of COVID-19. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to his family and friends and also to his colleagues at the Institute of Environmental Physics in Faculty 1. Andreas Hilboll was a postdoctoral researcher in the Laboratory for Modeling and Observation of the Earth System working group led by Professor Mihalis Vrekoussis. He also worked closely together with MARUM – Center for Marine Environmental Sciences. The death of Mr. Hilboll is a great loss for us all. The University of Bremen will not forget him.
Kind regards,
Bernd Scholz-Reiter
President
Closure of University Buildings
Dear colleagues,
Yesterday, the president informed you that the university will enter into emergency operation mode, which will initially apply until April 19, 2020. We view this as an opportunity to further restrict personal contact on campus. Our joint aim is to contribute to the reduction of the number of people infected.
I would have not taken this step if there were an alternative. However, there is not one and we must now try to make sure that the university can fully operate under restricted circumstances as best as is possible.
Time Schedule for Closures
All buildings will be closed by the end of the week. The closures will happen in accordance with this strict schedule:
Wednesday March 25, 2020
Closure of the buildings that are mainly used by faculty 2, faculty 5, faculty 6, faculty 7, and MARUM, therefore:
NW 2, UFT, Geo I and II, all MARUM buildings, FVG, GW 1, WiWi 1 and 2
Thursday March 26, 2020
Closure of the buildings that are mainly used by faculty 3, faculty 8, faculty 10, faculty 11, faculty 12, and the central administration, therefore:
MZH, Cartesium, buildings on Grazer Straße, Cognium, GW 2, SFG, VWG, the Maintenance Depot (Betriebshof), and the Power Supply Center (Energiezentrale)
Friday March 27, 2020
Closure of central campus buildings and the buildings that are mainly used by faculty 9 and faculty 4, therefore:
Sports Tower (Sportturm), FZ building, IW building, AIB, ZARM
The stated closure dates naturally also apply to the organizational units that have not been explicitly named.
You can find information regarding access to buildings, handling of rented buildings, staff required for service operations, and other matters in the document linked here.
In connection with the closure of the buildings, I have received enquiries as to whether the obligation to work no longer needs to be fulfilled. This is not the case. Every person is still required to complete their tasks to the best of their ability in this situation. This does not apply if you have leave, are ill etc.
I would like to thank you all for your support and wish you good health for the coming weeks.
Kind regards,
Martin Mehrtens
Director of Finance and Administration
Dear students,
As announced last Friday, the president of the University of Bremen, Professor Bernd Scholz-Reiter, has made comprehensive decisions today in order to safeguard you, our students, in the times of the coronavirus, during which a great deal of work and examinations can no longer be carried out. Naturally, your health and further measures to break the chain of infection are our highest priority at the moment. However, we are aware what this means for you. You have now heard that we have cancelled all face-to-face examinations in the period up to April 20, 2020. We have now decided that you will be automatically withdrawn from said examinations in our PABO examination system. The examiners have the possibility of offering you alternative examination formats.
You asked us many questions regarding term papers in the past days. We have created several options for you. For example, in consultation with your examiners, you can extend the writing time. You may also withdraw from an examination/graded written assignment and register for a make-up examination/graded written assignment, which will count as having taken place in the winter semester 2019/2020.
You also have the option to register for the usual examination in the summer semester 2020.
It is also possible for you to take the class with the term paper once more in the following winter semester. Those who are able to complete their term papers can now submit them electronically.
We are also aware that students working on their bachelor’s or master’s theses are affected greatly, whether this be due to practical work no longer taking place, or because the SuUB is closed and you no longer have access to sources. We have extended the thesis period by the duration for which face-to-face teaching has been cancelled at the university. We will amend this period if the official authorities cancel face-to-face teaching for a continued period. You also now have the chance to withdraw your thesis topics until April 20, 2020. You will then be able to start a new thesis at a time specified by yourself and will have no disadvantages from the withdrawal from the current thesis.
We hope that we can offer you the best possible conditions during this difficult time so that you are able to successfully continue your studies. Above all, we hope that we have provided you with options so that you are able to cope with the individual circumstances that have arisen. We wish you all the best.
Kind regards and take care,
Thomas Hoffmeister
Vice President Academic
University of Bremen Enters Emergency Operation Mode
Dear colleagues, dear students,
On Sunday, March 22, 2020, the federal and state governments decided on comprehensive measures to limit social contact. We are taking this decision seriously and the university will enter into emergency operation mode during the course of this week. With this further step, we want to stop the spread of the virus at the university at the earliest moment in time.
What does emergency operation mode mean for us? After having already employed extensive measures, such as special leave and the extension of working from home regulations for staff members and the cancellation of face-to-face classes and exams and written assessments with mandatory presence for students, we will now limit the presence of all university members on the campus as much as is possible. We will successively shut all university buildings this week. We are currently working on a list that will state the order in which the closures are to take place. Only a previously agreed upon group of staff members will have access to the buildings after the closures have taken place. These persons must hold a function that is required to maintain the university’s full operability. This ruling is initially valid until April 19, 2020. Staff members will receive detailed information concerning the closure procedure and the related regulations from Mr. Mehrtens, the university’s director of finance and administration, in a timely manner.
We are currently experiencing the most difficult situation since the university’s founding. By taking this step, we want to fulfill our responsibility towards the whole of society and also limit personal contact on campus, in our offices, and in our laboratories as best as is possible. We will not, of course, cease all operations but are working intensely on being able to offer outstanding teaching for you, dear students, in the coming summer semester – in digital form. I would therefore like to thank everyone who is working for the university, both on campus and from home. We can overcome the challenges of the coming weeks together. I appreciate the efforts of all staff members and the understanding of students and staff members for the measures that we have had to take due to this situation.
Kind regards and take care,
Bernd Scholz-Reiter
President
Dear students,
For many of you the corona crisis not only poses health risks but also creates great uncertainty regarding how your studies will continue. We are aware that the quick decisions of which we inform you and which we must make in this highly dynamic and developing situation are continually leading to new uncertainty and open questions. You can be sure that our actions are taken in order to minimize the risk of a further spread of Sars-CoV-2 but also to make it possible for you to continue studying.
You have many questions regarding exams and the submission of term papers, bachelor’s theses, and master’s theses. The University Executive Board will be making comprehensive decisions on Monday concerning the submission of papers in PDF format, how we will deal with submission deadlines, the possible case that you cannot continue your work due to the closure of libraries or other circumstances based on the regulations made by Bremen Senate, the postponement of exams, the registration for and withdrawal from exams, alternative exam formats, and how postponed exams can still be recognized for the winter semester 19/20. These decisions for you, our students, will be based on us making sure that legal certainty is given and that you are not exposed to hardship. We will communicate the results on Monday.
Finally, I would also like to ask you to take care of yourselves and others. Adhere to the physical aspect of social distancing and use social media to stay in contact with each other. Please think about your own actions and how a further immense spread of CoVid-19 seriously endangers your own generation of grandparents. Stay healthy and regularly check the information on our website.
Kind regards,
Thomas Hoffmeister
Vice President Academic
University of Bremen
Working from Home regulations at the University of Bremen
Dear staff members,
In coordination with the senator for science and ports, we would like to inform you of the following working from home regulations that shall come into force with immediate effect:
With regard to persons belonging to a risk group due to relevant pre-existing conditions (primary diseases, suppressed immune system, according to the Robert Koch Institute), compulsory presence is suspended with immediate effect and you may work from home. The same applies to staff members who live together with another person in a familial context who belongs to a risk group due to a pre-existing condition.
Please provide your direct superior with brief information including a short explanation of the reasons for which the compulsory presence is suspended.
Moreover, in consultation with your direct superior, working from home options are to be utilized as much as is possible. The administrative department heads, faculty heads, etc. must make the final decision on this.
Independently of the above, working teams who work at different times and alternately should be formed in the core units that are required to keep the university operational. This should be decided on with your direct superior. The administrative department heads, faculty heads, etc. must make the final decision on this.
Personal contact is to be reduced to only unavoidable and entirely necessary situations.
Kind regards and stay healthy,
Martin Mehrtens
Director of Finance and Administration
Dear staff members, dear students,
We would like to give you an update of the current situation and how the University of Bremen is dealing with the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).
In order to document all suspected cases, the University of Bremen has introduced a registration system via the following email address: corona-schutzprotect me ?!uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de. There are currently two members of the university that have tested positive. With regard to one case, the contact persons have been identified and are self-isolating. We are working on reconstructing the chain of contact for the second case at the moment. As soon as we have any more information, the affected people will be immediately informed. A 14-day isolation period will then begin for these contact persons. Said isolation period is linked with a ban on coming onto campus and into the university buildings. Said persons are required to contact their doctor as soon as symptoms of a COVID-19 infection appear.
In addition to the two people who tested positive, a further 67 people are currently in self-isolation. These people are those who have returned from risk areas (for example from holiday), but also university members who have had category 1 contact to an infected person (information regarding the Robert Koch Institute’s contact classification system can be found here: https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/InfAZ/N/Neuartiges_Coronavirus/Kontaktperson/Management.html#doc13516162bodyText3).
We are very aware that this situation is connected with uncertainty and fear for many of you. This is why we want to ensure that you continue to feel safe at the University of Bremen by communicating in a transparent manner. We will regularly inform you of the current situation via email and on our website https://www.uni-bremen.de/en/information-on-the-novel-coronavirus/.
Please be assured that we are reassessing the situation each day together with the university’s crisis committee and that we are making decisions in order to ensure your safety at work.
We also want to ask you to contribute to slowing down the spread of the virus. Wash your hands regularly and for a sufficiently long time with soap. Adhere to coughing and sneezing etiquette. As soon as you display symptoms of a COVID-19 infection, please contact you doctor by telephone in order to clarify the next steps. You should also inform your direct superior at the university. Do not come to work and stay at home. We can only curb the spread of the virus if we work together.
Many thanks for your help.
Kind regards and stay healthy!
Bernd Scholz-Reiter and Martin Mehrtens
President Director of Finance and Administration
Dear students,
Due to the current development of the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Bremen is cancelling all written examinations and other types of face-to-face examinations with immediate effect. This measure applies to all aforementioned examinations that were scheduled to take place before April 20, 2020. The university is currently investigating other formats in order to enable the acquisition of credit points for students.
Kind regards,
Prof. Dr. Thomas Hoffmeister
Vice President Academic
Dear students,
As stated in the email from Friday, the University of Bremen wishes to ensure that you can still complete examinations despite the coronavirus-related restrictions. This should save you from having to repeatedly prepare for exams and from extending your degree duration.
As many students currently only have restricted mobility and this will continue in the coming weeks, all students will be able to withdraw from their examinations without providing a reason, should they wish to do so. This is valid from now until the end of April 2020 and means the following:
- You can withdraw from examinations registered in PABO until the examination date and without providing a reason. This is valid for all examination types. Withdrawal will function much like registration in PABO. This is currently being made technologically possible and will be available in the coming days.
- If you withdraw from an exam via PABO, a doctor’s note is no longer needed, as a failure to take the examination cannot be registered if you have withdrawn previously.
- If you have arranged examination dates bilaterally with your examiner (colloquium, oral examination), please inform the examiner via email of your withdrawal early enough – this means on the day of the examination at the latest.
The withdrawal from an examination as described above will not create any disadvantage for you. The examination registration will be withdrawn and must be carried out at a later point in time.
The University of Bremen is making efforts to ensure the highest possible hygiene/safety standards for the examinations that will take place. However, some examinations will be cancelled by the university – please check your mails from the University of Bremen carefully in the coming days.
Kind regards,
Bernd Scholz-Reiter
President
Dear staff members, dear students,
In light of the increasing number of infected persons and the further spreading of the coronavirus in Germany, the Bremen Senate has made decisions that also have an effect on the operations at the University of Bremen.
We are in discussions with the other state universities in Bremen, much like we are in regular contact with the Bremen State Department of Science. A crisis committee has begun their work at the University of Bremen. The University Executive Board will make the necessary decisions together with said crisis committee in order to realize the state decisions at the university.
We will continually inform you. Even if the dynamics of the further developments cannot be foreseen, the information regarding the operations at the university will be provided to you as quickly as possible. This also means the quickest possible provision of English translations.
Based on the rulings currently in effect, the university is officially cancelling all face-to-face classes in the period up to and including April 17, 2020. Examinations will generally take place, provided that additional infection protection measures can be adhered to.
The general university operations will remain unchanged and will continue. In the frame of prevention, all staff members are required to restrict personal contact and to make use of alternative communication types.
With regard to at-risk staff members as stated here we ask that all superiors make them especially aware of the protective measures and that said measures be realized together. Deans, institute directors, administrative department heads, and other superiors are to decide if working from home should be made possible as a precautionary measure for certain individuals within their area of responsibility.
Should you have any questions regarding coronavirus, please contact us via the following central email address, which will be active from Monday onwards:
corona-schutzprotect me ?!uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de.
Kind regards,
Bernd Scholz-Reiter
President
Contact
Should you have any questions regarding coronavirus, please contact us via the following central email address: corona-schutzprotect me ?!uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de.
Rapid Decision Examinations Summer Semester 2020
File name: Eilentscheid_05_2020_Examinations_in_the_summer_semester_2020.pdfLast update: 16.04.2020Microsoft Word - 2020_03_26_Corona_Eilentscheid_PrÃŒfungswesen_KORREKTUR_EN.docx
File name: Rapid_Decision_Regarding_Examinations.pdfLast update: 26.03.2020Microsoft Word - 2020_03_30_Corona_Eilentscheid_Bewerbungen_EN.docx
File name: Rapid_decision_applications__admissions__enrollment__student_administration.pdfLast update: 31.03.2020Closure of University Buildings
File name: Closure_of_University_Buildings.pdfLast update: 25.03.2020- File name: 20210127_Special_leave_request_form_Corona.pdfLast update: 29.01.2021
Technical Setup for Working from Home
You can find the current information regarding the answering of technical questions on working from home, telephones etc. on the Administrative Department 5 homepage.
moreGeneral
We want to provide comprehensive answers to the questions that have been posed to us in the frame of the FAQs.
The questions often concern regulations that apply to the individual employment relationships. Information on working conditions at the university in light of the coronavirus pandemic are also important.
Not all regulations that you have heard of can immediately be included in the FAQs. For example, in relation to the circulars sent by the senator for finance, it is of utmost importance that the university clarifies how it will implement the regulations prior to publishing. As soon as the issues have been clarified, a form has been created (if applicable), and the working steps have been decided on we can provide you with the information that we believe to be helpful.
We therefore ask for your understanding for the circumstance that the FAQ updates are always published at a slightly later time.
And if you wish to see a particular matter included in the FAQs, we would be pleased to hear your suggestions at corona-schutzprotect me ?!uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de. Topics that are suggested repeatedly will be included in the FAQs.
Staff Members
FAQs (status on 8.05.2020)
The symptoms reported most frequently in Germany are coughing and fever. However, there are a whole host of other symptoms such as a cold, sore throat, respiratory problems, headaches, joint pain, and general weakness that are possible. Various European studies have also reported of impairments of the sense of smell and taste.
However, the course of the illness is unspecific, diverse, and can vary greatly. That is why no general statements regarding the “typical” course of the illness can be made.
(Source: Federal Centre for Health Education)
All important behavior rules and recommendations can be found here.
There is currently one member of the university that has tested positive. We have reconstructed the work-based chain of contact for each case as far as is possible. As soon as we have more information, all affected university members will be informed immediately. A 14-day isolation period will then immediately begin for these contact persons. Said isolation period is linked with a ban on coming onto campus and into the university buildings. Said persons are required to contact their doctor as soon as symptoms of a COVID-19 infection appear.
In addition to the one person who tested positive, a further three people are currently in self-isolation. These people are those who have returned from risk areas (for example from holiday), but also university members who have had category 1 contact to an infected person (information regarding the Robert Koch Institute’s contact classification system can be found here.
One person has died as a result of COVID-19.
Since April 10, 2020, onwards, the Robert Koch Institute will not be naming any international risk areas and no particularly affected areas in Germany, as the coronavirus has spread across the world and placing particular focus on one area is not expedient.
Thus, there is a risk of infection in both Germany and an immense number of regions worldwide.
The Federal Foreign office has warned against undertaking any touristic, unnecessary travel abroad: https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/ReiseUndSicherheit/10.2.8Reisewarnungen
If you are to return from abroad, you are obliged to inform your employer by email of your return prior to your planned return to work. Please send said email to your superior (deans, administrative department head, head of the administrative units, administrative heads, institute directors, and other relevant superiors).
After returning form abroad, you must adhere to a 14-day isolation period. You will generally be granted special leave with a right to continuation of payment. However, said right to payment will only apply if there is no fault on your part. If you travel abroad, despite the recommendations made by the Robert Koch Institute and the Federal Foreign Office, you run the risk of having to isolate upon your return. You must then use recreational leave, unpaid special leave, or overtime for the isolation period. Due to the special legal situation for civil servants, disciplinary measures cannot be ruled out.
Should you develop symptoms that point towards a COVID-19 infection during a period of isolation, please follow the instructions under the questions “What should I do if I had contact to a person infected with coronavirus?”
It may be the case that you are planning to no longer take already authorized holiday or are intending to end said already authorized holiday early because you will now receive special leave as stated above. The university can only accept such a change if you can then complete your work tasks at the university. Thus, holiday cannot be cancelled due to special leave becoming possible. It is unfortunately not possible for the University of Bremen to deviate from the regulations made by the senator for finance.
As it is not foreseeable when the restrictions on daily life, including the possibility to travel, will be removed, leave days for the year 2019 can be carried forward until 31.12.2020.
Please send an email to corona-schutzprotect me ?!uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de. We will collect all cases and decide how the university will handle these. The university will align itself with the practices of other universities.
Bremen State is continually trying to expand the childcare offers. That is why we are assuming that you have applied for emergency childcare. You can find further information here: https://www.bildung.bremen.de/start-1459
Special leave with continuation of full payment was granted in the frame of special measures as parents looked after their children themselves due to the cancellation of childcare and the school closures and were thus not able to fulfil their work duties.
The Free Hanseatic City of Bremen and also the state of North Saxony have expanded childcare offers and school lessons are also restarting:
In light of this, the senator for finance has ruled that all state institutions, including the University of Bremen, may only grant special leave with continuation of full payment after a multi-step assessment has been carried out.
Amended requirements for special leave based on childcare
The following points must be initially assessed:
- Has the daycare center and/or school been closed for the relevant grade and is there no childcare/lessons on offer?
- Has an application for emergency childcare been refused?
- Can the child be cared for in an alternative manner or is it possible that the child is not dependent on continual care based on its age?
These questions will be posed on the application for special leave. As a framework, the senator for finance has stated that it can be assumed with regard to older youths that they can stay at home on an hourly basis without parental supervision.
You can find the relevant application form in English and German on the “Corona Update” website and on the Administrative Department for Human Resources website.
According to the senator for finance, if you have overtime that exceeds 40 hours then these hours must be initially used for childcare before special leave can be granted.
Temporary special leave for care of minors
The special leave regulations apply to staff members with minor children. Depending on the age of the child, there may be the chance for you to work on an hourly basis. The University of Bremen will support this measure. As a framework, the senator for finance has stated that it can be assumed with regard to older youths that they can stay at home on an hourly basis without parental supervision. Please discuss this with your superior.
Please fill out the linked form and send it to the Administrative Department for Human Resources in such a case.
It may be the case that you are planning to no longer take already authorizedholiday or are intending to end said already authorized holiday early because you will now receive special leave as stated above. The university can only accept such a change if you can then complete your work tasks at the university and there is a need for your work at the university. Thus, holiday cannot be cancelled due to special leave becoming possible. It is unfortunately not possible for the University of Bremen to deviate from the regulations made by the senator for finance.
As it is not foreseeable when the restrictions on daily life, including the possibility to travel, will be removed, leave days for the year 2019 can be carried forward until 31.12.2020.
If close relatives in need of care are cared for in domestic surroundings because a care facility has closed (for example, out-patient care) then then caregiving persons are released entirely or partially from their duties. The Home Care Leave Act regulations apply in such cases. In contrast to special leave, payment will only be paid in relation to the fulfilment of the contractually determined work duties. Thus, there is no automatic continuation of full payment. For caring for close relatives, the private and obligatory state national care insurances pay so-called care money. The amount is dependent on the level of care required by the person in need of care.
Additional information is being prepared.
The regulation applies in cases where a care facility has been closed and close relative takes on the care of a person with a disability.
The Home Care Leave Act primarily applies in such cases. If the requirements for the Home Care Leave Act are not fulfilled, then the special leave regulations due to the closure of schools and daycare centers apply.
Additional information is being prepared.
Normally, the following ruling is valid: https://www.uni-bremen.de/dezernat2/service-a-z/a/arbeitsunfaehigkeit/
This changed ruling is in effect until April 30, 2020: Should you display flu-like symptoms, a doctor’s note must only be handed in on the sixth day that you are unable to work. The date April 30, 2020 indicates that the illness ends on this date at the latest.
Please initially inform your direct superior.
If you had contact to a person now confirmed as having coronavirus or a person suspected of having coronavirus, immediately contact your doctor or the after-hours service of the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians of the City of Bremen by phone. Do not go to a doctor’s practice in order to reduce the risk of infection.
You will receive further instructions from your doctor or the after-hours service of the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians of the City of Bremen. You must follow said instructions.
Further information: https://www.gesundheitsamt.bremen.de/corona_ambulanz-24779
Due to the current situation, enquiries are increasing. Therefore, it is unlikely that you will reach your contact person with your first call.
If you are told to contact the university with your question, the following classification of risk groups is valid.
If you are a contact person of the first class (close family contact or similar), the following is valid at the University of Bremen: Please inform your superior (deans, administrative department head, head of the administrative units, administrative heads, institute directors, and other relevant superiors) and self-isolate for 14 days.
You will be granted special leave with continuation of full payment during the isolation period, as the university assumes that you will continue to complete the tasks stated in your contract to the best of your abilities. We ask that you ask to your superior and assess whether your tasks can be organized differently and be carried out by the day or by the hour. Only teleworking and mobile working are allowed. You may not come onto the university campus. Discussions regarding teleworking or mobile working should be carried out with your direct superior. Decisions will be made by the relevant head (deans, administrative department heads, institute directors, and relevant superiors).
Superiors can consult with the Administrative Department 2 for Human Resources.
Please fill out the linked form and send it to the Administrative Department for Human Resources in such a case (personalprotect me ?!vw.uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de).
It may be the case that you are planning to no longer take already authorized holiday or are intending to end said already authorized holiday early because you will now receive special leave as stated above. The university can only accept such a change if you can then complete your work tasks at the university. Thus, holiday cannot be cancelled due to special leave becoming possible. It is unfortunately not possible for the University of Bremen to deviate from the regulations made by the senator for finance.
As it is not foreseeable when the restrictions on daily life, including the possibility to travel, will be removed, leave days for the year 2019 can be carried forward until 31.12.2020.
Please inform your superior (deans, administrative department head, head of the administrative units, administrative heads, institute directors, and other relevant superiors) and self-isolate as ordered. Please adhere to the self-isolation requirements.
During the isolation period, it is not possible for you to leave your home or receive guests that do not live with you without prior authorization from the Health Department (general ruling by the Pubic Order Office of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen based on §28 German Infection Protection Act – IfSG). Exceptions are made if they are “necessary for the protection of life and health.”
You will be granted special leave with continuation of full payment during the isolation period, as the university assumes that you will continue to complete the tasks stated in your contract to the best of your abilities (see also “What happens if I cannot work at the university due to isolation measures?”). We ask that you ask to your superior and assess whether your tasks can be organized differently and be carried out by the day or by the hour. Only teleworking and mobile working are allowed. You may not come onto the university campus. Discussions regarding teleworking or mobile working should be carried out with your direct superior. Decisions will be made by the relevant head (deans, administrative department heads, institute directors, and relevant superiors).
Superiors can consult with the Administrative Department 2 for Human Resources.
Please fill out the linked form and send it to the Administrative Department for Human Resources in such a case (personalprotect me ?!vw.uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de).
Please inform your superior (deans, administrative department head, head of the administrative units, administrative heads, institute directors, and other relevant superiors) via email or telephone. Send your doctor’s note to the Administrative Department for Human Resources. Please also fill out the linked form and send it to the Administrative Department for Human Resources (personalprotect me ?!vw.uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de).
The Administrative Department for Human Resources will contact you in order to reconstruct the chain of contact at the university.
You must adhere to the Health Department’s guidelines. This especially applies with regard to the point in time when the isolation/quarantine period is over and you may enter the university campus, for example.
Please inform your superior and the Administrative Department for Human Resources at personalprotect me ?!vw.uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de as soon as the isolation/quarantine period can be ended and you can continue your usual work.
The university is currently carrying out its tasks as far as is possible in light of the pandemic. Thus, new paths must be formed in all areas.
The university is currently working on making controlled access to the university buildings possible. We are, of course, always keeping an eye on the risk of infection. Minimum standards for work safety are also to be published. On the one hand, they will make working possible but on the other hand will ensure protection of all persons present against COVID-19.
Working from home is possible when your tasks can be completed in such a manner.
Special regulations will apply to persons in risk groups.
Prior to the minimum standards for work safety being published, we would like to inform you of the following basics:
- Increased personal hygiene measures
- Strict adherence to the distancing regulations (min. 1.5 meters)
- Contactless work (e.g. working in a single office, restriction of contact to other staff members)
- Communication via phone, email, and video conference
- Restructuring of work times, e.g. outside of main hours
- Creating of work teams that are active at different times
Moreover, further individual decisions can be made. The choice of thinkable measures will also take the interest of the university in the maintaining university operations into consideration.
The senator for finance has applied clear regulations that are also valid for the University of Bremen.
It may be the case that you are planning to no longer take already authorized holiday or are intending to end said already authorized holiday early because you will now receive special leave as stated above. The university can only accept such a leave cancellation if you can then complete your work tasks at the university and there is a need for your work at the university. Thus, holiday cannot be cancelled due to special leave becoming possible.
Special leave can be granted for the school/daycare center holidays based on the school and daycare center closures if the relevant requirements are fulfilled. However, it is not possible to cancel already authorized recreational leave or a leave period for the exact same period in connection to this.
If you wish to no longer take already authorized holiday or are intending to end said holiday early for other reasons, then the relevant ruling applies. The university can only accept such a leave cancellation if you can then complete your work tasks at the university and there is a need for your work at the university.
As it is not foreseeable when the restrictions on daily life, including the possibility to travel, will be removed, leave days for the year 2019 can be carried forward until 31.12.2020.
Generally, yes. However, it is recommended that video conference systems be used. The University of Bremen currently has several available options: You can find further information on the Media Office website: https://www.medienstelle.uni-bremen.de/videokonferenz/index.php
Should persons not be able to come to an interview due to isolation measures, required childcare, or other comprehensible reasons, it is proposed that a replacement appointment be found. Severely disabled applicants have a right to a replacement appointment.
As of immediately, no public office hours will take place. Please pose your questions by email or telephone.
We really need everyone to respect these measures even if there are close working relationships under normal conditions and questions are usually quickly and personally clarified.
It still remains possible to arrange special appointments.
Prior to travelling, please gather information on the situation here:
https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/InfAZ/N/Neuartiges_Coronavirus/Risikogebiete.html
https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/ReiseUndSicherheit/10.2.8Reisewarnungen
We ask all staff members that they handle their own health and the health of others with responsibility and ask that they make informed decisions regarding whether travel at this point in time is unavoidable.
However, should you decided to travel, you must inform your immediate working area and your superior. After your return from a previously known risk area or an area for which there is a coronavirus travel warning, you must remain in isolation for 14 days.
The university would like to make you aware that there is no automatic right to continuation of payment. If you travel abroad, despite the recommendations made by the Robert Koch Institute and the Federal Foreign Office, you run the risk of having to isolate upon your return. You must then use recreational leave, unpaid special leave, or overtime for the isolation period. Due to the special legal situation for civil servants, disciplinary measures cannot be ruled out.
Should you develop symptoms during this time, please contact your doctor.
The university has a high-performance firewall, which is being updated this year as a matter of course. It is also importance that the systems that run non-centrally are also secure. Everyone can contribute to such attacks not taking place.
Please do not open any email attachments/links that make strange promises:
- How I can immunize myself.
- How I can see who is infected in my area.
- How the corona crisis can be solved in a short space of time.
Warning of phishing attacks regarding coronavirus.
Email attachments which once they are opened cause the downloading of malicious software are being sent around. This enables hackers to gain access to a computer or the university network. The university does have technical measures that reduce the risk of such attacks, yet it is not possible to completely rule out the risk.
Another type attempts to get users to go onto fake websites that then ask you for your username and password.
Students / Scholarship Holders / Guest Scientists
FAQs (status on 8.05.2020)
The symptoms reported most frequently in Germany are coughing and fever. However, there are a whole host of other symptoms such as a cold, sore throat, respiratory problems, headaches, joint pain, and general weakness that are possible. Various European studies have also reported of impairments of the sense of smell and taste.
However, the course of the illness is unspecific, diverse, and can vary greatly. That is why no general statements regarding the “typical” course of the illness can be made.
(Source: Federal Centre for Health Education)
All important behavior rules and recommendations can be found here.
There is currently one member of the university that has tested positive. We have reconstructed the work-based chain of contact for each case as far as is possible. As soon as we have more information, all affected university members will be informed immediately. A 14-day isolation period will then immediately begin for these contact persons. Said isolation period is linked with a ban on coming onto campus and into the university buildings. Said persons are required to contact their doctor as soon as symptoms of a COVID-19 infection appear.
In addition to the three people who tested positive, a further three people are currently in self-isolation. These people are those who have returned from risk areas (for example from holiday), but also university members who have had category 1 contact to an infected person (information regarding the Robert Koch Institute’s contact classification system can be found here.
One person has died as a result of COVID-19.
Since April 10, 2020, onwards, the Robert Koch Institute will not be naming any international risk areas and no particularly affected areas in Germany, as the coronavirus has spread across the world and placing particular focus on one area is not expedient.
Thus, there is a risk of infection in both Germany and an immense number of regions worldwide.
If you had contact to a person now confirmed as having coronavirus, immediately contact your doctor or the after-hours service of the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians of the City of Bremen by phone. Do not go to a doctor’s practice in order to reduce the risk of infection.
You will receive further instructions from your doctor or the after-hours service of the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians of the City of Bremen.
Further information: https://www.gesundheitsamt.bremen.de/corona_ambulanz-24779
Due to the current situation, enquiries are increasing. Therefore, it is unlikely that you will reach your contact person with your first call.
If you are told to contact the university with your question, the following classification of risk groups is valid.
If you are a contact person of the first class (close family contact or similar), you must enter isolation for 14 days. You are not allowed to come onto campus during this time.
If you have questions regarding your exams, please contact the responsible Examination Office. You can find the contact details at www.uni-bremen.de/zpa. This especially applies to registration and withdrawal from exams, exam dates, extended submission deadlines, and the consequences of an exam being cancelled. Many such questions have already been answered in the downloadable “Rapid decision applications, admissions, enrollment, and student administration” document on this page.
Face-to-face examinations have been cancelled for the period up to April 20, 2020.
If you have questions regarding your exams, please contact the responsible Examination Office. You can find the contact details at www.uni-bremen.de/zpa. This especially applies to registration and withdrawal from exams, exam dates, extended submission deadlines, and the consequences of an exam being cancelled. Many such questions have already been answered in the downloadable “Rapid decision applications, admissions, enrollment, and student administration” document on this page.
The loan fund of the Bremen Student Services Organization has been increased by the Bremen Senate to 500,000 Euro so that students in need of help can be financially supported. Students who have come into financial difficulties due to the corona crisis can apply for an interest-free loan of up to 550 euros each month from the Bremen Student Services Organization. The loan will be paid with retrospective effect from April 1, 2020 and for up to three months. Furthermore, the acceptance criteria for such a loan will be reduced.
Students in need who are enrolled at the University of Bremen or another university in Bremen State can apply. Foreign students may also apply for a loan.
Information on the application process
Students, who have already applied for BAföG in the past, only have to submit an informal application with the missing documents. Old details should be updated. This also applies if the BAföG application was rejected. The Bremen Student Services Organization provides more detailed information. Further documents are required if the student has never applied for BAföG. Information on this is also available from the Bremen Student Services Organization.
This loan is not intended for those who already receive BAföG. There is another way in such cases: If a student’s situation has changed due to the corona crisis, for example if their parents are now in the short-time working system and can no longer support them as usual, the student can submit a BAföG amendment application.
There is additional help for international students: The charitable organization XENOS provides financial aid especially to foreign students in difficult situations. More information can be found on the XENOS website.
No orientation events are taking place at the moments and all classes have been cancelled until April 19, 2020. Students participating in exchange programs can receive further information from Cornelia Krain (ckrainprotect me ?!uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de) or athttps://www.uni-bremen.de/en/studies/starting-your-studies/offers-for-international-students/newcomer-service-for-exchange-students/.
Please contact Barbara Hasenmüller (Barbara.hasenmuellerprotect me ?!uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de) at the International Office. Alternatively, you can find more information here: https://www.uni-bremen.de/studium/starten-studieren/studium-international/.
International students who are already in Bremen have general questions regarding their stay, financing etc. should contact Jutta Paul (jutta.paulprotect me ?!uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de) and Claudia Pellegrino (Claudia.pellegrinoprotect me ?!vw.uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de) at the International Office.
Information on Emergency Operation Mode and Building Closures
FAQs (status on 8.05.2020)
In order to reduce the number of Covid-19 infections, it is necessary to restrict human contact. One of the measures taken involved the closure of the universities in the state of Bremen and the further extension of working from home regulations. This decision was made by the senator for science in agreement with the public universities in the state of Bremen.
The university is currently carrying out its tasks as far as is possible in light of the pandemic. Thus, new paths must be formed in all areas.
The university is currently trying to find ways to carry out the tasks in teaching, research, administration, and technical facility management so that the risk of infection is restricted for everyone.
Therefore, the university buildings are still not openly accessible – even if the number of persons present is increasingly continually.
At the moment, the university of Bremen is working on minimum standards for work safety that describe the safety measures connected to the coronavirus pandemic. These minimum standards will be complemented with regulations that the faculties decide on in order to include special laboratory conditions in their safety concept, for example.
The entryways to the university buildings are open between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Entry is supervised by security staff and will only be granted to people with access authorization. The emergency exits function as usual and are not affected by the closures.
Here are the entryways for university building:
| Cognium | Main entrance on Hochschulring |
| FVG | Middle entrance |
| GEO I und II | Handicapped accessible entryway at Maintenance Depot |
| GW 1 A, B und C | Entryway between A and B, Universitätsallee |
| GW 2 A und B | Courtyard entryway |
| IW 1 und 2 | Via the boulevard, left door |
| IW 3 | Entryway on Hochschulring |
| MARUM (1 und 2), Zugang MARUM 2 über Brücke | Main entrance |
| MZH | Main entrance |
| NW 1 | |
| NW 2 A und B | Entryway on level 0 near to goods elevator |
| NW 2 C | Main entrance Leobener Straße |
| Sportturm | Entrance on boulevard |
| UFT | Main entrance |
| VWG | Main entrance |
| WiWi1 | Entryway on Universitätsallee |
The lists of access authorization are recreated each day. It is therefore possible that you may be put on that list for a particular day. In such a case, please send an email to corona-schutzprotect me ?!uni-bremenprotect me ?!.deby 10 a.m. on the day prior to desired access, include your faculty dean in said email loop, and explain your request in a few words. It is generally the case that we will then put you on the list for the desired day. Please take proof of identity (with a photo) with you to the university so that you can prove your identity to the security staff when asked.
The university post office distributes the post that is delivered to the central office as usual.
Packages will be accepted by the security staff at each building. However, it is not possible that the security staff inform your when a package has arrived. They are also not liable for your package in any manner.
The central administration is doing its best and is attempting to deal with all important administrative issues despite the restrictions.
Several main IT systems cannot be reached when working from home. Thus, many areas of central administration are working in two teams: One team is on site and is working on the issues that cannot be completed from home due to the technical restrictions. The second team is working from home. The central administration is aiming to reduce the infection risk so that continual work is ensured.
This means that each area must prioritize tasks.
In order support the two-teams system, please pose any questions via email.
The job advertising process will continue as usual. It may take longer until publishing occurs.
In light of the workload for the Administrative Department for Human Resources, it is no longer possible that said department receives the applications, prepares for the preliminary choice, and sends standard letters concerning appointment processes. This applies to current job advertisements, which are advertised from today onwards and for which the application deadline is on May 15, 2020 at the latest. In such cases we ask that the area advertising the job be stated as the recipient of applications and that the required steps be carried out by yourselves. The Administrative Department for Human Resources is available if you have any questions.
Please contact the company doctors by email or phone. They will then get in touch with you to clarify the details.
betriebsarztprotect me ?!unißbremenprotect me ?!.de or 60140 (phone).
Additional information is being prepared.
Video to Teaching Staff: Challenges of Online Teaching
The summer semester that we face will be one that entirely changes teaching. We assume that face-to-face teaching will generally not be possible and that we will need to face the challenges that online-based teaching and online learning scenarios bring with them. Vice President Academic Thomas Hoffmeister explains where you can receive support for creating your lessons in this video.
Virtual Teaching Website from ZMML
The Center for Multimedia in Teaching (ZMML) has published media-didactic action recommendations, a decision-making aid for choosing digital tools, and a growing list of digital tools on its virtual teaching page.
Why did the University of Bremen decide on a Zoom campus license?
In the current situation and based on intense consultations and the weighing up of functionality and data protection, the University of Bremen has decided to acquire a campus license for Zoom.
This decision is founded on recommendations from external advisors and the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI). In their opinion there are no general data protection issues with the usage of the Zoom video communication service. However, we want to assess the situation after the coming semester. The reported security loopholes are changing nearly every day and counteracting measures are being implemented just as quickly. We are keeping an eye on this at all times.
We also evaluated other services and they are either explicitely not recommended by the state representative for data protection and freedom of information (Teams and Office365) or are unsuitable for large groups and virtual learning/teaching situations. Unfortunately, the services offered by the German National Research and Education Network (DFN) cannot be used with any surety for classes due to the capacity constraints. We will reconsider it if significant improvements are made.
It is important that you are aware that the usage is generally voluntary. This applies to both teaching staff and students. The university has made further services available, namely jitsi via the Zentrum für Netze and BigBlueButton in Studi.IP via the ZMML. You can also use these.
With regard to the didactical usage of Zoom (or other video conference tools), we will provide assistance, for example regarding the expressly recommended security settings that can be decided upon by each user.
I hope that this explains our decision. A Germany or Europewide secure cloud solution would have been preferable. Yet such a service is currently unavailable.
Prof. Dr. Andreas Breiter
Chief Digital Officer