The dramatic increase in the number of Covid-19 infections has made a new "light lockdown" necessary for many areas of public life. Given professional approach taken by the  universities in recent months, the legally responsible parties have again excluded the universities and colleges from the scope of the above-mentioned regulation. However, at the same time, the top government rightly made the political claim that universities and colleges should switch to distance learning. This is due to the rapidly increasing number of infections in the 20 to 30-year-old age groups – that means the majority of students.

An urgent appeal from higher education policy is needed in order to operationalise an overall switch to distance learning and the greatest possible reduction of face-to-face teaching – in areas where this is reasonably possible.

• From Tuesday, November 3rd until the Christmas holidays, the regulation applies at the TU Wien that, as far as possible, all courses (especially VO, VU, SE and UE) must be converted to a distance learning format.
• The laboratory practice / Internship (LU, PR) with an appropriate safety concept may continue to be held in presence.
• According to the notification of the BMBFW, excursions are not allowed until further notice.
•  Examinations should either be converted to an online format or additionally offered in online format (especially students who cannot enter the country due to the current state of infection or those belonging to a higher risk group, etc. this would be very helpful).
•  If exams in presence are necessary, they must be held with the blue seating arrangement from the summer semester. Information on the entrances can be found at: https://colab.tuwien.ac.at/x/YQyQ 
• A mask must be worn in the building all times. The mask must also be worn during the exam.
• In order to maintain the ability to study, courses and, above all, already existing examination dates should not be canceled or reduced in the number of participants, but rather held online if possible or divided into parallel rooms if necessary.

Due to the increasing number of infections, we as universities have a responsibility to ensure the best possible security for all of us. We ask for your understanding and are dependent on your cooperation.

“Anonymous Mailbox” for Students

Your well-being in these challenging times means a great deal to us. That is why the Center for Strategic Teaching Development has launched a “mailbox” on the subject of studyability and distance learning for students: https://www.tuwien.at/studium/lehren-an-der-tuw/zentrum-fuer-strategische-lehrentwicklung/briefkasten/, opens an external URL in a new window
This form provides our students an opportunity to give (anonymous) feedback on studying at TU Wien.
Please write us suggestions, wishes, criticism or complaints so that we can get an overview of the current state of affairs in teaching at TU Wien and make improvements.
 
Thanks for your support!

Kurt Matyas
Vice Rector for Academic Affairs