Information for students: Examinations in the summer semester 2021
2021-06-28
Dear students,
The summer semester is progressing and many of you will be thinking about what the current positive development of the Corona infection figures means for the upcoming examination period. We had already informed you at the beginning of the month that lecturers would once again be able to hold examinations in presence during the examination phase of the summer semester, as an extraordinary situation due to the Corona pandemic no longer exists to an extent that justifies holding examinations exclusively in digital formats. This announcement had led to AStA, StuPa and student committee members expressing their concern about the problems potentially associated with exams in presence for students. We take this as an opportunity to inform you today about essential aspects and questions regarding the implementation of exams in the current summer semester.
1. DIGITAL OR PRESENCE - LECTURERS CAN DECIDE
As a matter of principle, lecturers have the fundamental right to decide in which form they want to conduct examinations. Due to the pandemic, the Leuphana Senate had created the possibility for the current summer semester - as it had for the two previous semesters - by means of separate annexes to the framework examination regulations to conduct examinations not only in presence but also in alternative (digital) formats for reasons of infection control. In contrast to the examination phase of the last semester, the development of infection figures has now led to a situation in which it is no longer absolutely necessary to conduct examinations (exclusively) in digital format. Lecturers can therefore choose, as announced at the beginning of the summer semester, and make a binding decision by June 25, 2021, as to whether they want to conduct examinations in presence or digitally.
The University Senate dealt with this choice for lecturers in detail last week and passed a resolution: The Senate respects the freedom of the lecturers and asks them to take adequate account of the after-effects of the pandemic special situation, as also outlined in an Open Letter from the student representatives on the examination period in the summer semester 2021 dated June 9, 2021, when designing their examination services in the summer semester 2021 and to use all digital options and continue the good communication of the last semesters with the students.
2. DIGITAL OR PRESENCE - STUDENTS CAN MAKE UP FOR HARDSHIPS AND DISADVANTAGES
The concern expressed by the student body about possible disadvantages, cases of hardship or even dangers that could be associated with conducting examinations in presence is taken very seriously by the Presidential Board. Appropriate provisions have already been made in the past for these cases in the framework examination regulations and the appendices issued for this purpose. We address the main issues and concerns raised in this context below.
2A. HEALTH REASONS
If you are prevented from taking part in examinations conducted in the presence of other examinees in a room for proven health reasons (for example: particular risk from an infection for your own health or the health of family members or life partners, health obstacle for a vaccination), you can apply for disadvantage compensation from the relevant examination board. This may mean, for example, that you are given the opportunity to take the examinations alone in a separate room under supervision or to take equivalent examinations in another form. If necessary, please contact the responsible person in the Student Services Office for information on how to apply for this and for the required evidence.
2B. SUPERVISION OBLIGATIONS
If you are unable to take an examination on site at the university due to a pandemic-related increased obligation to care for relatives at home, and if this situation prevents you from completing an otherwise regularly planned degree in the summer semester of 2021, you can be admitted to an alternative examination upon application to the Examination Committee with the appropriate evidence. The same applies if you fear an increased risk of a prescribed quarantine due to supervision obligations.
2C. INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
If, as an international student, you are currently unable to enter Germany, for example because you are unable to obtain an entry visa due to closed embassies or consulates, and this situation makes it impossible for you to complete your otherwise regularly planned studies in the summer semester of 2021, you may be admitted to an alternative examination performance upon application to the examination board with appropriate evidence.
2D. QUARANTINE ORDERS
If you have to isolate yourself during the examination period due to a quarantine order and for this reason cannot take part in an examination in attendance, the same regulations apply as in the case of withdrawal from an examination due to illness. In this case, you can take the exam on the next available date. In cases of special hardship, you are also free to apply to the examination board responsible for you via Student Services.
2E. OTHER PERSONAL REASONS
For many of you, digital teaching has led to changes in your circumstances. Some of you live with your parents again - also for financial reasons - or are not in Lüneburg for other reasons. In such cases, participation in attendance examinations requires travel and, if necessary, on-site accommodation. In this respect, there is no right under examination law to be able to take examinations in another form. You may, however, withdraw from the examination up to three working days before the examination without giving reasons.
3. GENERAL CONDITIONS FOR CONDUCTING EXAMINATIONS IN THE SUMMER SEMESTER
The University's General Hygiene Policy and the Hygiene Policy for Events, which can be accessed here: https://www.leuphana.de/intranet/leitlinien-fuer-den-arbeitsplatz/ordnungen-und-richtlinien-der-universitaet.html, apply to the conduct of on-campus examinations. According to these guidelines, the distance requirement of 1.5 meters inside and outside the buildings continues to apply, as does the requirement to wear a medical mask in all university buildings unless you are in your seat in the examination room.
Prior to taking exams in attendance, all those taking the exam will likely be required to provide a negative test certificate (PCR or PoC antigen rapid test) unless you are already in the recovered or fully vaccinated group. The testing on which the test certificate is based must not have occurred more than 24 hours (for rapid antigen tests) or 48 hours (for PCR tests) prior to the start of testing. One testing station for rapid antigen testing is located on campus, with additional testing stations located throughout the city. Information can be found on the ASB and DRK Kreisverband websites. We will provide further information on the decision as to whether testing will actually be mandatory during the examinations after re-evaluating the situation prior to the start of the examination period in July or September.
Although the restrictions and impairments that still exist are challenging for many of you, we hope that the framework created by the university for conducting the examinations will ensure that all of you will properly meet the examination requirements and hopefully emerge from the examination phase with good results.
Dealing with the Corona pandemic has taken a lot out of all of us. The pandemic will continue to occupy us for the foreseeable future - despite the current low incidence in Lüneburg, which is currently falling, and the increasing progress of vaccination - and will restrict our usual lives. However, in view of the positive developments, we can look to the future with hope and look forward to a summer that should bring back many of our freedoms. We wish you and ourselves that this development will continue and that we can look forward to a winter semester that will bring us a variety of personal encounters on campus - and hopefully a return to normality to a large extent.
With warm regards
Sascha Spoun
President
Christian Brei
Executive Vice President
Erich Hörl
Vice President College
Simone Abels
Vice President Graduate School
Jörg Terhechte
Vice President Professional School
Susanne Leeb
Vice President Research