In the coming week, the University Executive Board will clarify with each of the faculties which lectures can be recorded and which seminars can be carried out as web conferences. Furthermore, the ZMML will have instructions on their website that will prepare the teaching staff for offering online courses.

“Safety is our first priority,” emphasizes Thomas Hoffmeister. “Creative solutions are required. We will do everything to make it possible for students to acquire their credit points.”

In order to curb the spread of coronavirus, there will be no classes held in the period up to and including April 17, 2020. Examinations are to continue with due regard for the assessment of risks. One of the measures being taken is that a distance of 1.5 meters should be kept at all times during examinations. These measures were decided upon by the senator for science and ports together with the universities.

Contact:

Professor Thomas Hoffmeister

Vice president academic

Phone: +49 421 218-60031

Email: kon2@uni-bremen.de

Further Information:

www.uni-bremen.de/zmml

www.uni-bremen.de/en/

Media available at the loan desk at the point of closure (interlibrary loans, reservations, ordered media) can be collected when the library locations are open again.

Digital services remain available and encompass around 67 million e-books, e-journals, and databases. Information regarding access to licensed media can be found on the website:

https://www.suub.uni-bremen.de/home-english/info-en/remote-access/

Staff Consultations

Despite the closure, the SuUB staff are still on hand to answer your questions. Telephone consultations will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays to Fridays.

General questions: +49 (0)421 218-59500

Loan desk (loans, library account): +49 (0)421 218-59530

Queries via email: suub@suub.uni-bremen.de

Further information:

www.suub.uni-bremen.de/home-english/

www.suub.uni-bremen.de/home-english/info-en/remote-access/

Contact:

Anke Winsmann

Public Relations Officer

Bremen State and University Library

Phone: +49 (0)421 218-59572

Email: oeffentlichkeitsarbeit@suub.uni-bremen.de  

In detail, this means:
•    All face-to-face classes are cancelled. Digitally supported formats and similar solutions are to continue as long as this is still in alignment with the general rulings put in place.
•    Face-to-face exams are only to be carried out in individual cases, for which a reason needs to be provided, and in accordance with the general rulings. Digitally supported exam formats are to continue.
•    Research operations within the university buildings will be stopped. Such operations can only be continued in individual cases, for which a reason needs to be provided, and in accordance with the general rulings.
•    General operability will be reduced to the minimum that is required to ensure that necessary staff and finance tasks can be carried out.
•    The face-to-face classes have been cancelled at the universities since March 12, 2020. With these measures, Bremen is acting in alignment with other states who have also reduced their face-to-face operations at their universities to the minimum.

The universities will implement these measures together and in the frame of their specific needs. This means:
The buildings of the University of Bremen will close in the course of the week. Since last Monday (March 23), the natural sciences building NW1 has been closed. Only persons who complete necessary tasks will have entry. The closure schedule is currently being created. Operations will continue with staff working from home. It will be ensured that contact can be made via email or telephone. Teaching is intended to be maintained for the summer semester with the aid of digital services. Questions connected to corona can be sent to the following central email address: corona-schutz@uni-bremen.de
The buildings of the Bremen University of Applied Sciences will be closed from tomorrow (March 24) onwards. Teaching will generally continue by means of online services. You can find more information on the regulations for students staying abroad, for the submission of terms papers, for exams etc., and who is the contact person in each of the faculties on the Bremen University of Applied Sciences website (www.hs-bremen.de).
Presence authorization must be requested from the president at the Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences. The Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences buildings are no longer open to the public. The staff members of the Administrative Department for Buildings and Operations are monitoring the buildings several times per day. Operations and teaching will be maintained by working from home solutions. The known digital contact forms can still be used (email / telephone during working hours). An emergency email address (corona@hs-bremerhaven.de) has also been made available.
The management of the University of the Arts Bremen has created a social fund for students whose basic needs are under threat. Staff members and teaching staff have already made contributions. President Prof. Roland Lambrette and Director of Finance and Administration Dr. Antje Stephan stated that “the current situation poses a basic threat to many of our students: exams are postponed, livelihoods are in danger due to the cancellation of concerts, exhibitions, and other part-time jobs – especially in the catering trade. There is also uncertainty regarding visas and returning to and from home countries. We are touched by the willingness to support others, the adaptability, and the solidarity between students, teaching staff, and administrative staff members.”

Further Information:
www.uni-bremen.de/en/

Center for Multimedia in Teaching (ZMML) Well Equipped

In the past week, the faculties and their teaching staff intensely prepared themselves for creating teaching contents for online lectures or seminars so that as many classes as possible in the summer semester can be partially or completely taken online. Online services are being expanded by means of cloud services at short notice for this. In this way, it will be possible to offer seminars and also streamed lectures. “Thanks to our Center for Multimedia in Teaching (ZMML), we have a great opportunity to offer a digital form of learning. We want to make it possible for our students to have absolutely no disadvantages and to still advance well despite the corona crisis,” said Professor Thomas Hoffmeister, vice president academic. Teaching staff can find ideas and tips on how to implement digital learning/teaching scenarios on the ZMML website. Students can also find out how they can prepare in the best possible way there.

Thomas Hoffmeister emphasizes how important the communication between teaching staff and students is: “The week from April 14 should be used by both teaching staff and students to discuss the learning/teaching scenarios via the Stud.IP learning management system and to clarify in which way the classes will be held.”

Special Challenge for Large Classes

As a large number of the classes have high participant numbers and there are less fixed course associations, the University of Bremen is facing particular challenges. However, President Bernd Scholz-Reiter is optimistic: “We want students to have the best possible conditions for their degree. I am sure that we will master this challenge by teaching staff and students working together on this process.”

Slow Return to Face-To-Face Classes

Curbing the spread of coronavirus is of course the highest priority. As the further course of the epidemic is unknown, the University of Bremen is prepared to flexibly align the study operations with the valid infection protection measures in the coming weeks and months. “We cannot say when face-to-face classes will be possible again,” explained President Scholz-Reiter. “We simply cannot give a precise date on which the students will be able to work in the library again or when they will be able to partake in classes in the lecture halls and laboratories on campus.”

Contact:

Professor Bernd Scholz-Reiter

President of the University of Bremen der Universität Bremen

Phone: +49 (0)421 218-60011
Email: rektor@uni-bremen.de

Professor Thomas Hoffmeister

Vice President Academic

Phone: +49 (0)421 218-60031
Email: kon2@uni-bremen.de

Further Information:

www.uni-bremen.de/zmml/

https://www.uni-bremen.de/zmml/lehre-digital/virtuelle-lehre/

www.uni-bremen.de/en/

Restricted Access to SuUB and Juridicum Library

In the Juridicum library, the non-lending collection is available for copying and scanning. Entry to the headquarters is restricted to a maximum of 50 people. Only a maximum of 20 people are allowed in the Juridicum library. The length of stay is restricted to one hour at both locations and a security company is ensuring controlled access.
The library is not open as a learning space. Researching time at the computer pool in the headquarters is limited to 45 minutes. No personal consultations are currently taking place; however, staff are happy to help via email or phone.

Large Number of Databases

The library has temporarily licensed more than 40,000 additional e-books, e-journals, and full text database systems and added them to their catalogue in the past weeks. The access to both the Juris and Beck-Online full text databases from home offices was set up for law students. Furthermore, the SuUB established a copy delivery service for scientists and state examination candidates and also developed webinars to support users.
But not everything works online: The roughly 67 million electronic resources that have been made available by the SuUB cannot entirely replace the printed works.

Hygiene Regulations and Avoidance of Queues

Based on the national and state regulations made based on the coronavirus pandemic, libraries are able to be reopened under adherence to the strict regulations concerning hygiene, access controls, avoidance of queues, and keeping a distance.
All visitors are asked to wear mouth-nose-coverage in the libraries.

Information on the SuUB Non-Central Locations

Departmental libraries on the university campus: Juridicum: Open Mon-Fri from 12 to 6 p.m. for max. 20 visitors. Entry only possible on the hour for a max. duration of 1 hour

Departmental libraries on the university campus: Economics: Closed until further notice

Departmental libraries on the university campus: Physics/Electrical Engineering: Closed until further notice

Libraries for Engineering and Social Studies and Economics and Nautical Sciences at the Bremen University of Applied Sciences: Email orders to

hochschulbibliotheken@suub.uni-bremen.de, issuing by appointment and returning on Mon-Fri from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Library Bremerhaven at the Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences (from May 11): Email orders to

tb-bhv@suub.uni-bremen.de, issuing and returning by appointment

Music library at the University of the Arts Bremen: Email orders to

tb-musik@suub.uni-bremen.de, issuing and returning by appointment

Art library at the University of the Arts Bremen: Email orders to tb-kunst@suub.uni-bremen.de, issuing and returning by appointment

Note:

The universities in Bremen and Bremerhaven are carrying our teaching and examinations during the summer semester in a digital manner as far as is possible. Students should not linger on campus. Unavoidable face-to-face examinations and laboratory classes are the exception. Please make use of the online offers and avoid coming onto the university campus.

Further information:

www.suub.uni-bremen.de/home-english/

Contact:

Anke Winsmann

Public Relations Officer
Bremen State and University Library (SuUB)
Phone: +49 (0)421 218-59572
Email: oeffentlichkeitsarbeit@suub.uni-bremen.de

Vice President Academic is Convinced that the Hybrid Solution Is the Way to Go

“A hybrid solution is the way to go given the anticipated circumstances,” says Professor Thomas Hoffmeister, Vice President Academic. The university will offer face-to-face activities in areas where they really necessary and particularly valuable. Laboratories and exams are already taking place on campus; this will be further expanded in the winter semester. In addition, the university will look into other teaching formats to allow attendance. It is also important to get the first semester students on board through individual face-to-face courses.   “We want to support their start in their university life in the best possible way and help them to connect with each other.” We are already in a close exchange with all of the people responsible at the university to find out how the university can best organize the hybrid semester. However, the priority in all planning is to comply with the rules of social distancing and hygiene. “We are still in the midst of a pandemic. We must not forget that.”

Contact:

Prof. Dr. Thomas Hoffmeister
Vice President Academic
University of Bremen
Phone: +49 421 218-60031
Email: kon2uni-bremen.de

60 working spaces are available

The State and University Library took the first step and made a number of working spaces in the main library and Juridicum library available from June 16 onwards. A comprehensive hygiene concept was created in order to curb the risk of infection. Moreover, the air conditioning system in the main library had to be repaired and reset and the learning spaces were authorized under adherence to the required distancing. The spaces can be used from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the main library and can be “loaned” by the students in the Juridicum library for one working day. It is not possible to book places. The usage time of research computers has also been extended to 75 minutes. No group work opportunities can be provided due to the risk of infection.
“We are pleased that we can offer 60 individual working spaces in the main library. A further 60 people can use the library to look for literature, borrow media, make copies, and scan for a maximum of 75 minutes each day. 40 people can do their work at the individual learning spaces in the Juridicum library; a further 20 will be allowed to enter for short stays,” explains Maria Elisabeth Müller, SuUB director. “We obviously want to expand this offer to all non-central university locations at the university and other higher education institutes. However, entry to the buildings is currently still restricted to staff members and the ventilation systems at each location need to be assessed,” according to Müller.

Learning spaces at the university will be open for use soon

The University of Bremen wants to open its learning rooms so that students can autonomously revise as soon as possible. The responsible persons are working on solutions for controlled access. “The University of Bremen is a complex system. Thus, immense preparation of such an opening is required in order to reduce the risk of infection. We are, however, optimistic that students will be able to use the learning spaces very soon,” says Dr. Martin Mehrtens, director of finance and administration. The vice president academic, Professor Thomas Hoffmeister, further adds: “We know how important these working spaces are for students. That is why we want to enable access in a manner as uncomplicated as possible – under the necessary hygiene conditions of course.”

Further Information:

https://www.suub.uni-bremen.de/home-english/

www.uni-bremen.de/en/

Contact:

Anke Winsmann
Public Relations Officer
Bremen State and University Library
Phone: +49 (0)421 218-59572
Email: oeffentlichkeitsarbeit@suub.uni-bremen.de   

Professor Thomas Hoffmeister
Vice President Academic
Phone: +49 (0)421 218-60031
Email: kon2uni-bremen.de 

Optimally Using Strengths of Face-To-Face and Digital Teaching

The current summer semester has made it clear that digital formats are not equivalent to face-to-face teaching. The AS members and the University Executive Board were in agreement on this. After all, students do not only acquire subject-based knowledge at the university but also non-subject competencies, such as the ability to engage in dialogue and take criticism, as well as interpersonal skills. It is important to the AS that there is a suitable mixture of both formats. “First surveys of our students and teaching staff revealed that they are missing communication and discourse in the current digital semester,” says vice president academic, Professor Thomas Hoffmeister. “Together, we want to combine the advantages of face-to-face and digital formats in both the winter semester and the time following.”

Further Information:

www.uni-bremen.de/as
 

Contact:

Prof. Dr. Bernd Scholz-Reiter
President and Academic Senate (AS) Chairman
University of Bremen
Phone: +49 (0)421 218-60011
Email: rektor@uni-bremen.de

Decisions and Unanswered Questions

It is still the case that there are many unanswered questions regarding the exact infection paths, the infection and mortality rate, or the best treatments. What is clear is that COVID-19 will accompany us for months, if not years. A permanent lockdown is not an option: Children must go to school, jobs must be kept, and the supply of provisions must be guaranteed. Politicians across the globe are searching for the best ways to contain the virus but also keep the consequences of the measures as slight as possible at the same time. They are confronted with much, often contrary, information and many demands whilst doing this.

“COVID-19 Public Health” Competence Network

There is currently a great demand for founded, interdisciplinary knowledge. The “COVID-19 Public Health” competence network with its 20 specialist associations from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, was founded in order for bundled expert knowledge to be contributed. Professor Ansgar Gerhardus from the Institute of Public Health and Nursing Research at the University of Bremen is the chairman of the German Association for Public Health and one of the network’s founders: “It was important for us that current and interdisciplinary expertise on COVID-19 was quickly available for the discussions that are being held at the moment and for the decision-making processes. In topic-based working groups, we are providing the best scientific news as summarized information.” Professor Hajo Zeeb, a scientist at the University of Bremen and the Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology – BIPS, added: “The strength of the public health competence network is its combined methodical, epidemiological, statistical, social science-based, and (public) health expertise from several thousand scientists.

How Is the Competence Network helping?

Members of the competence network are in direct contact with the decision makers in ministries and federal offices. All results are being published immediately on the website. Other agents from health, social, and economic fields can also find information there.

Further Information:

https://www.public-health-covid19.de/

www.uni-bremen.de/en/

Contact:

Prof. Dr. med. Ansgar Gerhardus, M.A., MPH
Institute of Public Health and Nursing Research (IPP)
Phone: +49 (0)421 218-68800
Email: ansgar.gerhardus@uni-bremen.de

Prof. Dr. med. Hajo Zeeb
Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology - BIPS
Phone: +49 (0)421 218-56902
Email: zeeb@leibniz-bips.de

Regulation Affects Laboratory Sessions, Examinations, and Final Theses

It is no longer possible for students to book learning spaces on campus. Bremen State and University Library (SuUB) will also not be open to the public during this time.

The new regulation also affects laboratory work: Teaching formats that cannot be digitalized, e.g. laboratory sessions and similar, will be postponed, cancelled, or will be replaced with digital formats.

Face-to-face examinations are also affected. They will be postponed or replaced with digital formats.

The completion of bachelor’s and master’s theses that depend on university resources, for example laboratories, will be interrupted. Exceptions will only be made in individual hardship cases when the lack of access to laboratories or instruments for example would lead to considerable, individual disadvantages in the further course of studies. Students are asked to contact the relevant academic dean in such cases in order to agree upon a deadline extension.

“We are not pleased to have to make this decision but the protection of health is our first priority,” says Professor Thomas Hoffmeister, vice president academic at the University of Bremen. The development of the infection rates in Germany is worrying. Therefore, the opportunity to reduce all contact to a minimum over the holiday – not only privately but also on campus – should be taken.

Decisions Based on Five-Level System

Since the beginning of the winter semester, a five-level plan at the University of Bremen has made it possible for the teaching and studying conditions to be continually amended to fit with the pandemic developments. Level 1 applied in the recent past. This meant that all forms of face-to-face teaching were possible on campus with smaller cohorts and under adherence to the hygiene regulations. The main reason for this was that the university wished to give freshmen the chance to settle more easily in their degree. The university moved to level 3 last Friday. Level 4 is now in place with immediate effect and will remain in place until January 10, 2021.

Contact:

Prof. Dr. Thomas Hoffmeister

Vice President Academic

University of Bremen

Phone: +49 (0)421 218-60030

Email: kon2@uni-bremen.de

An exception to the regulations was able to be attained for final bachelor’s and master’s theses that are dependent on university resources, for example laboratories. On a case-to-case basis, such work is possible again. Affected students are asked to contact their supervisor to discuss the details.

Learning Spaces and Catering Offers Remain Closed, Library Opens Loaning Service

Bookable student-learning spaces on campus will initially remain closed until the end of January. This also applies to learning spaces in Bremen State and University Library (SuUB). On the contrary, the loaning of books and other basic services can be used again from January 13, onwards. The Central Library and Juridicum Library will also be open to a restricted numbers of users. Detailed information can be found on the SuUB website. All catering offers from Bremen Student Services Organization will remain closed in January.

Contact:

Prof. Dr. Thomas Hoffmeister
Vice President Academic
University of Bremen
Tel.: +49 421 218-60030
Email: kon2@uni-bremen.de

Many Areas to Work from Home

The valid regulations for University of Bremen staff will also be extended until February 14. Those who can complete their tasks whilst working from home should do so. This excludes tasks that must be carried out on site in order to maintain university operations, e.g. human resource and finance processes, student and examination administration, and IT and technical operations. Research that can only take place on campus due to the required infrastructures (IT, laboratories, other equipment) may be carried out. The general hygiene and contact regulations must of course be adhered to when working on campus.

Contact:

Prof. Dr. Thomas Hoffmeister
Vice President Academic
University of Bremen
Tel.: +49 421 218-60030
Email: kon2@uni-bremen.de

Contact:

Prof. Dr. Thomas Hoffmeister
Vice President Academic
University of Bremen
Phone: +49 421 218-60030
Email: kon2@uni-bremen.de

• The submission deadline for a bachelor’s / master’s thesis with a writing/processing period that lies entirely or partially between December 16, 2020, and March 31, 2021, or begins in this period will be extended by a total of three months. A further extension may be granted upon submission of a justified individual application to the responsible examination board.
   
• The period for winter semester 2020/21 examinations will be extended. Face-to-face examinations must take place by May 15, 2021 and exam results must be in the system by June 15, 2021.
   
• Registration for summer semester 2021 examinations must take place by July 15, 2021. Withdrawal from a summer semester 2021 exam is possible without providing a reason until July 15, 2021.
   
• In order to ensure that you have no disadvantages regarding the start of a re-take deadline due to postponed or cancelled examinations in the winter semester 2020/21 or summer semester 2021, examination results that have not been entered into the system by the end of the respective examination phase will be marked as “recognized withdrawal”.
   
• The maximum duration of the Preparatory Studies Program (VBS) will be extended from the original four semesters to a maximum of six for all current students.
   
• The maximum duration of trial studies will be extended from the original two semesters to a maximum of four for all trial students.
   
• Students of the summer semester 2020 and winter semester 2020/21 who, during the course of their studies, wish to take more than the two permitted leave of absence semesters (as stated in the enrollment regulations) on “miscellaneous grounds,” can apply for this in the frame of their re-enrollment for the winter semester 2021/22 or later. This can be done online by uploading the so-called corona confirmation document from the President. Said students will receive a third or fourth leave of absence semester without providing any further reasons.

The current regulations will also continue to apply to staff until April 11, 2021. The general hygiene and contact regulations must be adhered to at all times. On campus, all persons aged 16 or above must wear a medical-grade mask (e.g. surgery mask, FFP2-standard mask, or comparable mask) in university buildings and all outside areas of the university.

Staff Have Access to Free Tests

Additionally, Bremen State is offering one weekly rapid test to all its employees with immediate effect. Staff can be tested at various test centers. Information concerning the locations and procedures can be found on the university website "Information for Staff".

Students Are Asked to Make Use of Testing Offer

The University Executive Board also asks that all students undergo regular testing. As citizens of Bremen, they also have access to one weekly rapid test at no charge.

In addition to the state services, the university is currently working on developing its own testing infrastructure. As soon as it is ready for use, information will be made available via the usual channels – the newsletter, the homepage, and social media.

Hygiene Regulations Remain Important

The distancing and hygiene regulations continue to apply. It remains unchanged that persons on campus aged 16 or above are obliged to wear a medical-grade mask (surgery mask or mask of FFP2 standard or similar) in buildings and in outdoor spaces.

Several Testing Options for Staff and Students in Bremen

All other staff members can continue to use the Bremen State test centers where staff can be tested free of charge once a week. Details of the various testing possibilities are available on the corona website. Students – as citizens of Bremen – also have the chance to be tested once a week at no charge at one of the Bremen test centers. The so-called “citizen test” can now also be done in the direct vicinity of the university. A private center that offers such tests has opened next to the ALDI supermarket on Enrique-Schmidt-Straße.

University’s Corona Regulations Extended until June 30, 2021

Parallel to the period of validity of the “Federal emergency brake,” the general regulations on campus have been extended to apply until June 30, 2021. This includes both the obligatory wearing of a medical-grade mask, as well as controlled building access. Exceptions are possible for students for whom a lack of access to laboratories, instruments, or similar would lead to extensive individual hardship in the further course of their studies. This particularly apples to final theses. Students are asked to contact their supervisors to discuss this. This also applies to the holding of classes that cannot be digitalized, thus mainly laboratory sessions, as well as the excursions permitted by the crisis task force. The face-to-face examinations permitted by the examination boards are also deemed exceptions. All stated exceptions are also possible if the incidence rate in Bremen rises above 165.

Some Classes on Campus

Should the incidence value in Bremen City continually remain under 50, other classes will be able to partially take place face-to-face from next week onwards, alongside the already running laboratory sessions and similar class forms that cannot be digitalized.

Digital Studies Remain Possible in Summer Semester

It will remain possible for everyone to continue to study digitally in the summer semester, with the exception of teaching formats that cannot be digitalized, e.g. laboratory sessions. The face-to-face classes that will be offered are an additional service offer and are not obligatory. This applies to seminars, practice sessions, and tutorials. Lectures will only be offered online. The decision regarding whether classes with small groups will take place as face-to-face classes lies with the teaching staff. Some examinations, for example for e-General studies, will also be offered again as face-to-face exams on campus.

Social Distancing, Masks, Tests

The obligatory wearing of a mask and social distancing of at least 1.5 meters still apply to any classes that will start up again. Those who come onto the campus are asked to get tested beforehand. All citizens have a right to undergo rapid testing in test centers across Bremen several times a week.

Take-Away Food from Café Central

Café Central will also open its doors once more. From June 1, onwards, take-away food can be purchased from there between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. You can find details on the Student Services Organisation website.

Simple vaccination registration via https://impfzentrum.bremen.de/ remains an option for students who cannot make it to the above time-slots.  As waiting times are short at the moment, it is generally possible to get an appointment soon.

A high vaccination rate is an important factor on the path to more face-to-face classes and events on campus. The vaccine offers the greatest protection against COVID-19.

Status Checks at Building Entryways

The status of students, staff, and visitors will be checked by security staff at building entryways. No data will be recorded or saved.

Summer Semester Will Be Completed as Planned

Summer semester classes and exams will be carried out as planned. The known hygiene and contact-tracking regulations apply. It also remains obligatory that a mask be worn in the buildings.

Vaccination without Prior Appointment Possible

From August 2 to 8, the Bürgerweide vaccination center is offering a vaccination to all Bremen citizens without prior appointment. Those who wish to make use of this must take their ID card, health insurance card, and vaccination booklet with them.

More Information:

Detailed information on the corona regulations on campus can be found at: https://www.uni-bremen.de/en/information-on-the-corona-pandemic.

Opportunity to Be Tested for Free

The federal states have decided that there will be no free rapid tests for unvaccinated people from October 11 onwards, as all citizens have now had the opportunity to get their vaccination. In the sense of occupational safety, the University of Bremen will, however, offer tests to unvaccinated and non-recovered staff in its own test center. You can make an appointment by phoning +49 421 218-60135 or 60137.

During the orientation week from October 11 to 15, 2021, students who are not yet fully vaccinated will also have the opportunity to be tested for free at the university’s own test center on the Boulevard. This also applies to exchange students who are not yet fully vaccinated or are not vaccinated with an EU-approved vaccine.

From October 16 onwards, the free tests will only be available to students who a) are waiting for their first vaccination appointment after having already been vaccinated with a non-EU approved vaccine, b) find themselves in the waiting period for full vaccination status after having had their first vaccination.

Entry Checks and Contact Chain Determination

When the semester starts, it is important that controlled building entry is ensured. Thus, it is planned that security staff will carry out entry checks at entryways using the CovPassCheck app or other forms of proof. This will most certainly lead to waiting times during busy periods. We will, however, try to keep said waiting times as short as possible.

In order to enable contact chain determination in seminars and lectures, we will be using the Gast-Bremen app. At the beginning of the class, students and teaching staff must log in to the class and learning space via the app or website and said groups must log out again at the end. The classrooms are currently still being fitted with QR codes that can then be scanned. Students who do not own a smartphone can check in using the phones of friends, as the Gast-Bremen makes it possible to register more than one person.

Mask Regulations

The University of Bremen has changed the requirements for the obligatory wearing of a mask in indoor spaces. The University of Bremen is working with an up-to-date level plan for teaching, which is based on the 29th Bremen State Corona Ordinance. Based on the university’s level 1, which is currently applies, masks must only be worn in buildings, learning spaces, and classrooms when social distancing of 1.5 m cannot be adhered to.  Several lecture halls with chairs that cannot be moved have markings showing the seats where it is possible to keep a distance of 1.5 m.

Test Opportunities

In the frame of occupational safety, unvaccinated and non-recovered staff members, which includes student assistants, have the chance to be tested at no charge at the university’s own test center in the GW 2 Building.  
During the orientation week from October 11 to 15, 2021, all students who have not yet gained fully vaccinated status can also be tested for free there. Students from abroad, who have been vaccinated with a vaccine that is not approved by the EU, can be tested for free at public test centers until December 31, 2021 (previous vaccinations abroad must be documented). From October 16 onwards, free-of-charge tests on campus will only be available to students who are in the waiting period after having had a vaccination with a non-EU-approved vaccine, or who are in the waiting period for fully vaccinated status after having had their first vaccination (an official document from a doctor must confirm this).
Staff and students who are unable to get vaccinated on medical grounds can be tested for free at test centers outside of the campus. The health insurers cover the costs in such cases. Students, who do not wish to be vaccinated must cover the costs for testing themselves.