Dear colleagues,
Following intense discussions with the Presidential Board, the emergency committee of LUH as well as with faculty representatives, I would like to provide some information regarding the further course of action until Christmas.
Taking into account different expectations and levels of concern that we have been approached with, and in cooperation with the deans, faculty management representatives and the emergency committee, we have developed two different scenarios for teaching and learning depending on the further development of the pandemic, which will be implemented immediately.
Scenario A – level 2 alert (or lower alert levels): On-campus learning until 17 December, extended Christmas break until 9 January 2022
Scenario A is based on the assumption that the Hannover region will not exceed the level 2 alert. In this case, we will maintain on-campus learning until 17 December, under strict compliance with the 3G rule. The Presidential Board once again urges teaching staff to continue using the possibilities of online learning, such as streaming, hybrid formats and recorded lectures from previous semesters in addition to on-campus learning, or other alternative formats (e.g. reading homework combined with online feedback sessions), wherever possible.
From 18 December, teaching and learning at LUH will be suspended for an extended Christmas break until 9 January 2022, in order to enable students to enjoy Christmas with family and friends as carefree as possible – with sufficient distance and voluntary self-isolation. During the Christmas break, on-campus and online learning will be suspended. Members of teaching staff are asked to evaluate carefully whether practical work or other course content that otherwise results in a prolonged duration of study must be completed or if there are alternative options.
Due to the extended Christmas break, course content must be included in the remaining lecture period.
If scenario A applies, we will provide information on the further course of action after the Christmas break, on 6 January 2022.
Scenario B – level 3 alert: If a level 3 alert applies, LUH will return to online learning completely and without delay, Christmas break as scheduled between 23 December and 5 January 2022
Currently, a level 2 alert applies in the Hannover region. However, it is possible that a level 3 alert will be issued in the coming days. Since the indicators for switching to a level 3 alert must be exceeded on five consecutive working days, this will not happen unexpectedly.
If a level 3 alert applies, LUH will return to online learning completely and without delay, irrespective of group sizes or the percentage of vaccinated persons in individual sessions. As in previous online semesters, only sessions will be held on-campus without which the duration of study might be prolonged (practical laboratory courses, practical sessions, theses). If a level 3 alert applies, study areas will no longer be available.
The regular Christmas break will not be extended, since online learning provides sufficient self-isolation opportunities.
If LUH should switch to online learning, we will maintain this until the end of the lecture period. In this case, there are no plans to resume on-campus learning.
The Presidential Board sincerely hopes that these scenarios provide sufficient transparency and clarity regarding the further course of action. In the interest of our students, we hope that we will be able to continue on-campus learning until Christmas, thus demonstrating that a sufficiently high percentage of vaccinated persons, good and proven hygiene measures as well as rules observed by all those involved are adequate tools for facing the pandemic.
Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to urge all of you: Please observe the agreed rules, make sure that you wear face masks correctly and ask your students to do the same. Moreover, I would like to strongly recommend wearing FFP2 masks, which must already be worn in many contexts of public life anyhow.
Please accommodate the concerns of all those involved, facilitate working from home and maintain a cooperative working environment with your employees. Please remember that working from home must be facilitated. In addition, please keep in touch with concerned students and look for solutions, wherever possible. Thank you!
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any queries or suggestions. I will be happy to assist you.
Yours sincerely,
Prof. Dr. Volker Epping
President
