Dear students and colleagues,
Currently, the overall number of infections in Germany is still small. However, it is likely that infections increase, especially after the summer holidays. Many of you wonder whether we will be able to proceed with our previously announced plans to return to on-campus learning. In view of the uncertain nature of future developments and in agreement with the emergency committee, the Presidential Board would like to answer this question in this email, explaining our current opinion on this matter.
On-campus learning at Leibniz University Hannover
On-campus learning represents a fundamental aspect of Leibniz University Hannover, both in the past, at present and in the future. The value of personal encounters, of personal exchange while working, studying or conducting research at the university as well as for cooperation within the academic community is beyond question and is inextricably linked with personal exchange. I am firmly convinced that the development of the university''s identity - as well as identification of students and members of staff with Leibniz University Hannover as an institution - can only be achieved through face-to-face contact.
For this reason and in agreement with the emergency committee, the Presidential Board will spare no effort in order to facilitate on-campus learning for all of you in the winter semester.
Nevertheless, we will continue to make use of the valuable digital elements established during the pandemic. We intend to incorporate these elements into our university culture and develop them further - such as digital teaching and dialogue formats or the possibilities of telecommuting.
Vaccination
These ideas and objectives shape our strategy for handling the next phase of the pandemic. Taking into account all information available to us, fully vaccinated persons are protected to a great extent - both against a SARS-CoV-2 infection and against contracting COVID-19, especially with regard to severe complications. According to the most recent information, this also applies to the currently expanding Delta variant of the virus.
After the initial shortness of vaccines, vaccination appointments are available at short notice, both in vaccination centres and via GPs. At least in Germany, the decision to get vaccinated will no longer be affected by a shortness of vaccines - this also applies to the age group of our students. We anticipate that all of you can be vaccinated by mid-October, if you decide to do so.
Getting vaccinated is always based on a personal decision. The university cannot and will not enforce this. However, I would like to urge all of you to get vaccinated. This is a vital prerequisite for returning to safe on-campus learning in October, at a university depending on your presence.
Access to the university in the winter semester
We aim to accomplish the best possible protection for students and members of staff. Depending on the future development of the pandemic, the Presidential Board therefore plans to restrict access to university buildings and lectures in the winter semester to students and members of staff who have been vaccinated or have recovered from a COVID-19 infection as well as those able to provide a negative test result obtained officially via a "Bürgertest". Further details on this will be provided by 1 October, at the latest.
Students and members of staff unable to get vaccinated due to health reasons are welcome to contact the Occupational Safety Department (betriebsarzt@zuv.uni-hannover.de) for individual guidance.
The Presidential Board therefore intends to resume on-campus learning at the university from October. As previously announced, this largely depends on the political decision to no longer enforce the regulations on distancing. If this should not be the case or if incidence rates increase dramatically, we may need to switch to an online semester at short notice, like in winter semester 2020/2021.
Current information can be found at https://www.uni-hannover.de/corona. If you have any queries, input or suggestions, please send an email to corona@uni-hannover.de.
Have a good summer holiday, a much-needed break from the strenuous past months. I am very grateful for all of your efforts during this time and look forward to welcoming you face-to-face at Leibniz University Hannover!
Yours sincerely,
Prof. Dr. Volker Epping
President
