Dear colleagues,
I would like to take this opportunity to provide information on various options for lectures in winter semester 2020/2021. First of all, I wish to thank all of you for implementing such successful learning opportunities for our students in the summer semester! In spite of considerable challenges during the critical phase of the coronavirus pandemic, you have succeeded in facilitating online learning while maintaining contact with your students and managing examinations – an outcome of which we can all be proud. In this context, I would like to express my gratitude to all members of teaching staff as well as to the academic and administrative staff who supported them.
Even though the summer semester is still in progress, there are already many questions and concerns about the winter semester. Just as anybody else involved, the Presidential Board cannot predict the future development of the pandemic. However, we strive to answer your questions in as much detail as possible.
As previously announced, the lecture period is scheduled to commence on 12 October 2020. It is currently unclear whether lectures will initially be held online or face-to face – or how the situation will evolve over the course of the winter semester. We hope that the limitations in connection with Covid-19 will be relaxed as soon as possible, allowing us to resume face-to-face learning. However, if the current regulations on distancing and hygiene continue to be in place in the winter semester, most lectures will have to be held online. In particular, this concerns larger sessions, since lecture halls can only be used to a limited extent due to the regulations on distancing and hygiene. For example, only 80-100 out of the 630 seats available in the main lecture hall (Audimax) can currently be occupied; even smaller lectures with 20 people require the use of a lecture hall with well over 100 seats. Due to the limited availability of larger lecture halls and based on their allotted time slots for using the respective lecture halls, faculties will determine on an individual basis whether and in which form (both online and face-to-face, as a compact course, etc.) sessions can be held face-to-face.
The dean of studies offices have already prepared detailed initial plans for this. Furthermore, the Vice President for Teaching and Academic Programmes is in constant contact with the deans of studies in order to support teaching staff and students in long-term planning. For the time being, all members of teaching staff should nevertheless prepare for another online semester.
Please rest assured that we will observe the situation with the utmost attention and that we will do our best to support you in your preparations. The pandemic continues to pose significant challenges that we can only overcome together.
Yours sincerely,
Prof. Dr. Volker Epping
President of Leibniz University Hannover
