Latest information about the coronavirus

The test centre on the HSMW campus will continue to be a reliable contact point for the citizens of Mittweida. Due to the current low daily demand for SARS-CoV-2 tests, the test centre at the HSMW is adjusting its opening hours and moving again. From now on, the tests will take place in room 053 of building 4 of the HSMW. Currently, tests are possible at the following times:

• Mondays to Thursdays: 7:30 - 9:00 am and 5:30 - 6:00 pm,
• Fridays: 7:30 - 9:00 am and
• Saturdays, Sundays and on public holidays: 8:30 - 10:00 am.

PCR testing is offered by the Student Council every day (Monday to Sunday) between 8:30 and 9:00 am.

The test centre at Mittweida University of Applied Sciences will continue to offer citizen tests to detect infection with the Sars-CoV-2 coronavirus after 30 June 2022. It is planned that the tests will remain free of charge for all persons with symptoms typical of corona, such as cough, cold and sore throat, even after the regulations by the federal government have been adapted. The rapid tests are also to remain free of charge for vulnerable groups. If there is no suspicion of infection and the person to be tested does not belong to a vulnerable group, the personal contribution for a test at the test centre at Mittweida University of Applied Sciences is 3.00 euros per test, as is the case nationwide. This plan is subject to the official announcement of the official federal testing regulation, as changes in details are unfortunately still possible.

The opening hours of the test centre remain unchanged for the time being:

• Mondays: 7 - 9 AM and 5 - 6 PM
• Tuesdays: 7 - 9 AM and 5 - 6 PM
• Wednesdays: 7 - 9 AM and 5 - 6 PM
• Thursdays: 7 - 9 AM and 5 - 6 PM
• Fridays: 7 - 9 AM and 11 AM - 12:30 PM
• Saturdays: 9 - 10 AM
• Sundays: 9 - 10 AM

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the testing centre on the HSMW campus has offered Mittweida students and citizens the opportunity for free citizen testing. With the end of obligatory Corona testing, the number of tests has decreased clearly. The period in which the costs for citizenship tests are covered by the federal government will end soon. This has consequences for the HSMW's testing operations, which will end on 24 May 2022. On the following Wednesday, the tent operated by the Stura, which has enabled us to maintain operations on campus without major difficulties despite the pandemic, will be removed. Tests in a private setting remain advisable afterwards.

After the days off over Easter, an additional week of predominantly digital teaching will take place. From 25 April 2022, face-to-face teaching will begin on campus. Many of the previously mandatory Corona measures and rules are now individual options. The implementation of these options should be balanced with our responsibility towards ourselves and our environment. Therefore, the following stipulations apply from 25 April 2022:

Lecturing from from 25 April 2022 including examination time in the summer semester

All courses and other events on campus can once again be taught in person. Attention must always be paid to any changes in the Corona regulations of the state. Wherever digital teaching elements have proven successful, they can continue to complement the face-to-face courses. Students should, of course, be able to cope with the coexistence of face-to-face and digital courses. Faculties and central institutions are encouraged to pay attention to this. Digital teaching elements are approved after responsible consultation with the lecturers. Students whose attendance is not possible for health reasons should first contact their lecturers. Individual solutions will be tried to be found. If necessary, assistance can be obtained from the Social Contact Office at Mittweida University of Applied Sciences. The emergency examination regulations of the faculties can be used again for the examinations in the summer semester. Students will find detailed information in their timetable.

Masks, distances and accesses

In the classrooms, distance requirements are no longer applied in accordance with the national Corona policy. This means that full occupancy is possible again for room planning. Due to the abolition of the distance regulations, it is strongly recommended to wear mouth-nose protection (medical or FFP2 mask) in the university buildings and in all classrooms. The university management appeals to the self-responsibility of the university members and advises that an FFP2 mask promises a proven and significantly higher level of protection. The urgent recommendation also applies to all employees, especially if distances cannot be observed.

The 3G rule is strongly recommended for access to the university. Unvaccinated and non-recovered university members as well as guests are strongly advised to take the daily test. For this purpose and for voluntary testing of those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered, our testing centre on campus will continue to be available to all university members. Similar to the federal pandemic strategy, the check of the status by the lecturers at the beginning of the course will be cancelled in the future. The self-responsible handling of cold symptoms and signs of a Corona infection remains unchanged and must lead directly to self-isolation in the future. The buildings are open without restriction, so that access is also possible without the HSMW card. The registration of students before the start of courses and during work on campus is also no longer necessary.

Study trips, research trips and business trips

Business-related trips away from the university and student excursions are once again possible without restriction. Please inform yourself, before departure, about the applicable regulations in the destination country. The university administration strongly recommends that all participants are tested before departure.

Events on campus and committees

Meetings and public events on campus are once again possible. The organisers or their supervisors should individually take responsibility for recommending that persons who attend wear masks and be tested for Sars-CoV2 infection. Events with more than 70 persons in attendance (excluding courses) must be agreed in advance with the university administration.

Home office

The home office requirement by federal rules has expired. Where home office has proven to be effective, temporary continuation is still possible. This requires consultation and approval with the immediate supervisors. In faculties, central institutions and in university management, it is important to ensure that as many employees as possible are available to students as contact persons for studies and research when they return to campus.

All of the regulations described are initially valid until revoked.

Mittweida University of Applied Sciences is striving for the campus to fill with life again. During the summer semester, we want to return to campus operations in presence. Many of the previous COVID-19 policies and rules are currently being converted into options by the federal government and the Free State of Saxony. As a result, differences in specific policies can be expected even at the county level. As a university, we will be faced with more short-term changes in the future. Please be prepared for this. Nevertheless, Mittweida University of Applied Sciences wants to use its self-responsibility for the planning of all its members and has made the following stipulations:

Phase 1 (21 March – 24 April 2022)

On 21 March, Mittweida University of Applied Sciences will start the lecture program of the summer semester with a digital phase and selected face-to-face elements of which students can take note in their timetable.

Phase 2 (starting 25 April 2022, including the examination period)

According to the current state of knowledge, all courses and other events on campus can be held face-to-face again from this point on, in compliance with the regulations that will then apply. Where it has proven successful, digital teaching elements can continue to accompany the face-to-face courses. However, in faculties and central institutions, care must be taken to ensure that students can cope with the coexistence of face-to-face and digital offerings. Students will find detailed information in their timetable.

Compulsory testing and access restrictions as of 21 March 2022

Access to the university buildings is possible under 3G. Unvaccinated, non-recovered relatives and visitors to the university are obliged to take the daily test. Analogous to the nationwide pandemic strategy, however, the control of the tests by the trusted persons will be waived in the future. Those who have recovered and/or have been vaccinated can also test themselves voluntarily either with a rapid test in the test center or with a self-test. Unchanged remains the self-responsible handling of cold symptoms and indications of a COVID-19 infection, which in the future must still immediately lead to self-isolation. The buildings open again without restrictions, so that access is possible even without the HSMW card. Student registration prior to the start of classes and while working on campus will also be dropped.

Mask obligation as of 21 March 2022 - FFP2 mask recommended

Due to the abolition of the distancing regulation, the unrestricted obligation to wear a mouth-nose-covering (medical or FFP2) mask applies in the buildings of the university and in all teaching rooms. The University Management appeals to the self-responsibility of the members of the University and points out that an FFP2 mask promises a demonstrably significantly higher level of protection. In offices, the mask requirement does not apply if the offices are individually occupied or if sufficient distance (two meters to the next occupied workstation) can be maintained between workstations.

Home Office as of 21 March 2022

The mandatory home office requirement under federal and state rules has expired. A return to the workplace is possible without restrictions if the mask requirement is observed - the mask requirement at the workplace is mandatory where less than two meters of space to the next occupied workplace is available in all directions. Where mobile work has proven to be effective, temporary continuation is still possible. This requires consultation and approval with direct supervisors. If not already done, an agreement must be concluded on this, for which a  template in the ZIP is available.

All described regulations are valid for the time being until revoked.

Limitations are necessary in the examination phase of the winter semester 2021/2022 too. The lecturers have developed digital offerings for students for the majority of examinations. For the few examinations that are necessary in person on campus, the regulations for the lectures will continue to apply. This means, among other things:

• 3G+ in HSMW version applies: Prerequisite for participation in examinations held on campus is an official COVID-19 rapid test, valid on the day of the examination. This applies to all groups, and also applies when a person is vaccinated or recovered.
• The obligation to wear a mask in the buildings continues to apply. It is mandatory to wear a medical mask. Wearing an FFP2 mask is strongly recommended, as it contributes to self-protection as well as to the protection of others.
• The other rules concerning courses apply accordingly to examinations, including the spacing requirement.

The forecasts - from our university as well - announce a peak of the fourth wave after Christmas. The Saxon State Rectors' Conference has therefore coordinated "Solidarity and Prevention Weeks" at the turn of the year. For Mittweida University of Applied Sciences this means:

Week 1: 3 – 9 January 2022

The buildings of Hochschule Mittweida will remain closed during this time. Teaching will be carried out entirely digitally, work will be resumed as mobile work (the details will be regulated by the supervisors). The university will only be entered by a small emergency team from the university management during this time, all other presences on campus are subject to approval by the rectorate.

Week 2: 10 – 16 January 2022

This week is considered an option week. Efforts will be made to further reduce the amount of currently scheduled face-to-face teaching (8 percent of of all courses) based on the individual responsibility of the lecturers. Mobile work will be preferred to on-campus work wherever possible. Should the pandemic dynamics or political-legal requirements make it necessary, the scenario from week 1 (3 - 9 January) will be continued as an option - if this is the case, university members will receive corresponding information by e-mail no later than the first week of January. 

Starting 17 January 2022

Work will continue in the same way as before Christmas, with a few face-to-face teaching elements (see timetable) and mainly mobile work. The subsequent examination phase will take place mainly digitally; the rescheduling has already been communicated to the departments via the deans and heads of the central institutions.

Due to the continuing shortage of self-tests on the market, the Corona Test Center at Hochschule Mittweida is now opening even longer. From 6 December, the following opening hours apply:

Antigen Rapid Tests

• Mondays: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• Tuesdays: 7:00 – 11:00 AM and 4:00 – 6:00 PM
• Wednesdays: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• Thursdays: 7:00 – 11:00 AM and 4:00 – 6:00 PM
• Fridays: 7:00 – 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
• Saturdays: 8:00 – 11:00 AM
• Sundays: 10:00 – 12:00 AM (appointment needed).

Certificates/permanent tickets for vaccinated and recovered persons are available

• Wednesdays: 1:00 – 2:00 PM.

Please send the vaccination or convalescent certificate (complete) and a copy/scan of both sides of your identity card as well as the complete documents with the subject "Dauerticket, [surname], [first name] to corona@hs-mittweida.de. The original documents must be presented when collecting the ticket.

The Saxon cabinet has issued emergency regulations against the fourth wave of the pandemic instead of the previous protective regulations. This wording alone emphasizes the seriousness of the current situation. HSMW will continue to respond appropriately to the situation in the coming weeks. As a result, the rectorate, deans and heads of central institutions agreed today, Tuesday, on further adjustments to the COVID-19 regulations.

The fact that most teaching will be digital from 29 November onwards remains valid. While university sports are already paused, 3G+ in HSMW version will then apply to the few attendance elements of teaching: All participants must present a rapid test result from the day - including those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered. Permanent tickets no longer permit participation in elements of face-to-face teaching. 

For all employees, this HSMW variant of 3G+ already applies to all on-duty activities on campus from Thursday, 25 November 2021. However, on-campus work will again be the exception.

The offer of mobile work as defined by the Infection Protection Act and the Saxon Corona Emergency Ordinance must be accepted. Only in the case of pressing operational reasons may work take place in the office. The determination of whether these reasons exist shall be made in consultation with the duty supervisors.

Even in the case of pressing operational reasons, the rule on campus is that only one person per office may work in attendance, irrespective of the space available. Deviations in individual cases require the explicit approval of the Rectorate. Faculties and central facilities record attendance on campus; this also applies to necessary visits by external parties, which should be prevented if possible.

The obligation to test when working on campus applies to all employees - including those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered. Starting work at the workplace at Mittweida University of Applied Sciences is only permitted if a negative rapid or self-test result is available and this has been proven. This also applies to internal university meetings and other internal gatherings, which may only be conducted with a maximum of five persons who have tested negative on the day. Gatherings of persons are to be avoided in general, and contacts are to be reduced to the minimum possible. This also applies to business trips, the absolute necessity of which is assessed by the heads of the structural units.

The obligation to provide proof of negative daily tests is regulated as follows: The proof of the negative test must be shown to the authorized person of the respective structural unit on a daily basis. Only those who show proof of their vaccinated or recovered status can be exempted from this obligation. Vaccinated and recovered persons are responsible for keeping the test records or completing the self-documentation stored in the ZIP and keeping it for four weeks to be presented in case of necessity. The data on current test results recorded by the authorized persons will be deleted after four weeks

In the event of a positive test, the following regulation applies: Those tested positive with a self-test must come to the test center by 9:30 AM. Here, if necessary, a control test will be carried out or a PCR test will be arranged. On this occasion, the positive self-test, packed in an hermetically sealed bag, will be handed in, as this is considered to be hazardous waste. It is also mandatory that the person who tests positive informs the university via email to corona@hs-mittweida.de. In case of a positive test after 9:30 AM, affected persons immediately separate themselves and immediately email corona@hs-mittweida.de, the PCR test can take place the following day at HSMW's test center.

The rise in incidence figures in Saxony and hospital occupancy rates requires further action at Mittweida University of Applied Sciences, such as doubling the number of tests for the unvaccinated and making masks mandatory across the campus, including in courses. In addition, HSMW will start a phase of largely digital teaching, learning and working from 29 November to drastically reduce contacts on campus. This has been jointly decided by the university administration and deans. In doing so, we as a university community are not only protecting our affiliates, but doing our part to combat the fourth wave.

Effective immediately: Stricter protective measures:

• General mask obligation: At the moment, the COVID-19 infections rule out the possibility of facilitation. Medical masks or FFP masks are to be worn at all times in HSMW buildings. Removal of masks during classes or at retention areas is not permitted, even with adequate clearance. Only employees may remove the mask in their office with sufficient ventilation and permanent distance.
• Face-to-face teaching can continue, but switching to digital teaching is and will remain possible.
• Tickets for the unvaccinated: The 3G rule (Geimpft - vaccinated, Genesen - recorvered, Getestet - tested) is still in effect for attendance at classes. Unvaccinated students will be required to take two negative tests for five days of attendance on campus beginning the week of 15 November. Different colored tickets will be issued for Sunday to Tuesday and Wednesday to Sunday, and instructors will inspect them before classes begin. Hoczhschule Mittweida continues to pay a share of the cost for individuals who are not considered vaccinated or recovered. Permanent tickets for those who are vaccinated and recovered will remain valid.
• Test recommendation: All unvaccinated employees are recommended to be tested free of charge three times a week, as stipulated by the current Saxon Corona Protection Ordinance. This recommendation also applies once a week to vaccinated and recovered individuals. Employees with customer contact are still subject to the requirement for two tests per week, which must be documented.
• 2G at events: Events with external visitors such as congresses, conferences and cultural events are regulated by the 2G rule. Only vaccinated (Geimpft) and recovered (Genesen) persons are admitted. Students working as part of a teaching project are subject to the 3G rule and must provide evidence of a test that is taken on the day of the event.
• Appointments with external guests (no university members) should be carried out by videoconference or telephone.
• Indoor sports are feasible under 3G conditions with a negative test that is taken on the day of the event.

As of 29 November: HSMW switches to mostly digital operation. This phase lasts until the start of the examination phase on 31 January and ensures that it can be carried out to a greater extent in attendance. According to the current status, the measures will include:

• Digital teaching as standard: When converting teaching to digital courses, the faculties can once again offer up to ten percent of teaching face-to-face to enable those elements that necessarily require physical attendance on campus and are necessary to prepare for examinations. The faculties and central institutions are currently planning which elements these are, and they will be visible in the timetables in a timely manner.
• Option model for attendance: If a lecturer ascertains that all persons present in a course have tested negative for a COVID-19 in the past 32 hours, masks may be removed during the course. Otherwise, the mask requirement will still apply. Testing costs will again be covered by the university beginning 29 November 2021.
• Mobile work: Wherever possible, employees switch to mobile work until the examination period. Arrangements will be made with the supervisors. If work is done on campus, the strong recommendation for daily testing applies - even for those who are considered vaccinated or recovered.
• Mandatory testing: If more than five people attend internal meetings on campus, all participants must have tested negative - regardless of whether they have already been vaccinated or are currently recovered. It is the responsibility of the person hosting the meeting to ensure that this requirement is met. Meetings with external guests are to be conducted digitally only, if possible. If this is not possible, the testing obligation also applies for all those present.

As of 11 October, there will be a nationwide rule that the federal government will no longer cover the costs of COVID-19 antigen rapid tests. This also applies to the test center at Hochschule Mittweida. The federal government will only cover the costs for COVID-19 antigen tests in a few cases. This is the case for:

• persons with medically certified contraindication
• underage persons (cost coverage guaranteed until 31 December 2021)
• people who have been immunized with a vaccine that is not approved in Germany (cost coverage guaranteed until 31 December 2021)
• pregnant persons in the first third of pregnancy (cost coverage guaranteed until 31 December 2021)
• Individuals participating in COVID-19 clinical studies
• Tests for lifting a quarantine (if ordered by the respective public health authority)

In order to ease the transition for all students who have not yet had the opportunity to be vaccinated and to provide them with the opportunity to get immunized, HSMW university leadership has decided to cover the costs of testing until 31 October 2021 for students attending classes. For students who have already received an initial vaccination, HSMW will cover the cost of testing until 30 November 2021. The Senate of Mittweida University of Applied Sciences will discuss the further procedure on 13 October 2021. Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

The winter semester will once again bring more attendance on campus. Not all university employees are yet protected from the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and thus measures for their protection are still necessary.

For this reason, and to structure the measures regulated by official directives applying to Mittweida UAS, the "Organizational and Hygiene Requirements for the Winter Semester 2021/2022" will apply at the HSMW as of 15 September.

Among other things, they contain easements for those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered from an infection, as well as regulations on the Saxony-wide obligation to test when coming into contact with customers. A subsequent instruction regulates the duties for all university employees with teaching duties, in research and management in more detail.

The FAQ on the subpages of this COVID-19 topic page will be updated in the coming days. Of course, there's a version of the requirements in German available.

Decreasing incidence levels and the progression of vaccinations are providing a gradual start to public life. During their 2 June 2021 meeting, the university leadership and the senate discussed the next steps for HSMW, including determining factors such as student vaccination rates, uncertainties due to mutations, and the spacing rules currently under discussion. Current changes include the following:

Mandatory mask requirement modified

The obligation to wear masks on campus, in lecture halls, laboratories, seminar rooms and offices will be modified. If the distance of 1.5 meters between two persons and regular ventilation can be ensured, masks might be removed. The obligation to wear masks in the corridors of the university buildings and in freely accessible common areas and tea kitchens remains unaffected.

New regulations regarding attendance at face-to-face courses and examinations

Permanent ticket:

As of Thursday, 17 June 2021, Mittweida UAS will also accept certificates issued to fully vaccinated and recovered persons for participation in attendance courses and examinations. A permanent access document will be created for these persons, which makes further testing unnecessary for them. The permanent ticket is issued to the following groups of persons:

• Vaccinated persons with complete vaccination protection (14-days after the last vaccination date) with a vaccine approved in Germany (two vaccinations with the vaccines BioNTech/Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca and one vaccination with the vaccine of the manufacturer "Johnson&Johnson").
  • Proof: vaccination record card and identity card
• Persons who have recovered from a COVID-19 infection that occurred at least 28 days and not more than six months ago.
  • Proof: positive PCR test/proof from a physician and ID card

Rapid test results

For individuals who have neither recovered nor have full immunization, an official rapid test with a negative result will still allow them to participate in face-to-face classroom activities on campus. The test center at Hochschule Mittweida will continue to be available for a rapid test (citizen test). A negative rapid test result from the test center at the university or another test center ( not more than 48 hours old) can be exchanged for an access ticket for three days.

• Proof: negative rapid test

Permanent tickets and access tickets can be received upon presentation of one of the listed proofs directly on campus: behind the test center at building 4 during the following times:

• Mondays - Fridays: 07:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. and

• Mondays - Thursdays: 02:00 p.m. - 04:00 p.m.

Between these hours, please contact Registration 1 at the testing center!

The following planning status applies to the outgoing summer semester and the subsequent winter semester:

For students and faculty in the summer semester:

Until the end of the lecture period, about seven percent of all courses will continue to take place in attendance. This means that we are responding to the wishes of both students and teachers not to reschedule the semester once again. As usual, the courses can be found in the timetable. Currently, we plan to hold about one third of all exams in attendance. Mandatory testing remains for in-class exams, as well as compliance with spacing and hygiene measures, and consideration for those students who are unable to travel for various reasons. Thus, alternative forms of the examination must be offered if necessary. The regulations also lead to a maximum limit of 60 students per examination per room and time hour, meaning that examinations are sometimes offered in groups and with a time delay. Details on this can be found soon in your timetable.

How and when exactly larger parts of the teaching can take place in face-to-face classes again depends largely on the general development. The winter semester is planned in three phases and the scheduling is done with a hybrid approach - combining online and face-to-face elements. This scheduling allows for a more flexible change of the university to full attendance or adjusted attendance when it becomes possible or necessary:

• Phase 1 - Flexible "Blockwochen" beginning September 6: The faculties independently arrange this additional attendance option in close coordination with the scheduling of classes. This is based on the expectation of low infection levels, as occurred during this period the previous year. As this time is outside the lecture period, there must be intensive communication between lecturers and students.
• Phase 2 - Attendance with Digital Phases starting 4 October: The lecture period will have to begin with limited attendance opportunities because, according to current knowledge, vaccination coverage of all population groups might not be achieved by then. Priority will again be given to freshmen as well as graduating seniors and groups that have been absent for an extended period of time.
• Phase 3 - Increasing attendance rates during the semester: It can only be assessed during the semester whether and how vaccination progress, the occurrence of mutations will be reflected in a possible "4th wave".

However, the change to more attendance will require a run-up time. It can become possible in November at the earliest. In addition, the specific arrangements at HSMW also depend on which regulations the legislator still stipulates with regard to distance and hygiene. Information for employees in research, faculties (without teaching load) and university management from 1 July 2021. The first easements for employees will soon become possible. With the expiration of the "federal emergency brake" and the two-sided home office obligation for employers and employees contained therein, more on-campus attendance work will likely become possible starting 1 July. However, not all university employees will be able to work in the office at the same time because distance and hygiene requirements will still apply. Therefore, the responsibility for who can work in the office on campus and when will continue to rest with the (line) managers and will be coordinated on a decentralized basis in the structural units. Nevertheless, this will allow for a bit more normality. For this reason, the standardized recording of working hours in Matrix will end on 30 June 2021; from this date, working hours will have to be recorded online via the software or on campus via terminal.

The stipulation of the federal emergency break ("Bundesnotbremse") until at least 30 June 2021 means that HSMW will continue the course of six percent function-room-bound attendance for practical courses and laboratory activities for the entire lecture period in the summer semester. Faculties and central institutions will schedule these events until 19 May, and they will be posted on class schedules until 28 May. The extension of the current regulation to the entire semester helps to avoid triggering a nationwide mobility of students for the seven course days before the examination period, who in all likelihood will not yet have been vaccinated at that time.

The opening hours of the COVID-19 Test Center at Mittweida University of Applied Sciences have been updated. The tests are offered at the times listed below. It is not possible to book an appointment in advance.

• Mondays: 7:00 – 11:00 AM, 2:00 – 6:00 PM,
• Tuesdays: 7:00 – 11:00 AM, 3:00 – 7:00 PM,
• Wednesdays: 8:00 AM – 12:00 noon, 2:00 – 6:00 PM,
• Thursdays: 8:00 – 12:00 AM, 3:00 – 7:00 PM,
• Fridays: 8:00 AM – 12:00 noon, 2:00 – 6:00 PM and
• Saturdays: 9:00 AM – 12:00 noon.

The current incidence rates and the imponderables of the further pandemic development (mutations) mean that we still have to continue along the path taken by Mittweida University of Applied Sciences of avoiding mobility and restricting contacts. Therefore, HSMW continues its digital operation to the greatest possible extent for the coming weeks until the start of the lecture period in the summer semester.

In detail, this means:

For teaching and studying until 7 February 2021 (end of the lecture period):

Study operations will remain digital as far as possible. Up to 7. February 2021, a few attendance elements in functional rooms are permissible in accordance with the procedure used up to now. All courses (digital and face-to-face) will be updated in the timetable.

For the examination period from 8 February – 7 March 2021:

The examination schedules are now available online. Numerous examinations originally designed to be taken in person have been changed, so that only a small proportion will be taken in person at Mittweida UAS. The exact details of the examinations can be found in the timetables and examination schedules as well as in the information that will be provided by the examiners for each examination. With the changed exams, all students should be able to complete this semester properly.

Even the university-wide low percentage of attendance exams, however, can create hardships for individuals if, for example, taking the exam requires travel from a great distance, or cannot be arranged with necessary childcare. The Rectorate has therefore asked the examination boards to be extremely generous in their treatment of hardship requests and to find alternative options for exam participation. Please send your hardship requests to the Sozialkontaktstelle.

With the joint efforts of everyone, students and teaching staff alike, we have managed to ensure that the winter semester has not become a 'non-semester' despite the restrictions. The university wants to respond to the pandemic-related restrictions with a high degree of flexibility of study, even with the regulations on examinations, and relies on the mutual trust and cooperation of students and teaching staff.

For the lecture-free period (8 March – 21 March 2021)

During the lecture-free period, a "teaching quarantine" applies on campus. This means that no teaching takes place, nor are the university's rooms available to students and teachers in general. Instead, a significant reduction in campus attendance is in effect. Presence at the university must be coordinated with the supervisor and is only possible when justified and absolutely necessary for studies, teaching and business operations. For work in research and university management, the necessary reduction has already been agreed with the individual employees.

Summer semester (phase 1) from 22 March to 18 April 2021

The first phase of the lecture period in the summer semester will be digital as far as possible. A few attendance elements tied to function rooms will initially be permitted until 18 April 2021, in line with the procedure used so far. For all faculties, as things stand at present, a maximum of 15 percent of all courses can take place on campus. In addition, temporary exceptions apply for various student groups, especially for those who are beginning their studies in Mittweida. As already known, the application and approval procedure for the attendance elements is handled by the deans and heads of the central institutions. The registration of these elements with attendance that are tied to functional rooms takes place in the following schedule:

1. Lecturers can view the timetable in the processing status as of 8 February 2021.
2. The deans and heads of the central institutions receive information about the number of attendance elements on 10 February 2021.
3. Registration of the attendance elements will be returned by 19 February 2021.
4. Students will be able to view their schedule online beginning 1 March 2021.

Summer semester (phase 2) starting 19 April 2021

According to current knowledge, the effectiveness of the national and regional measures already taken and rising temperatures should enable a return to the campus that is more widespread in terms of time and numbers. However, an estimate of how extensive the return may actually be is not yet possible at this point in time. Mittweida UAS will therefore determine the strategy for the second phase of the summer semester after consultation with the Senate on 24 March 2021. We will inform before Easter about a possible return to campus from 19 April 2021.

For office (incl. teaching staff) and laboratory attendance as well as in university management valid at least until 22 March 2021:

Mobile work remains the norm for all employees. Work on campus at Mittweida UAS is only possible if the supervisor agrees to it in individual cases, taking into account a comprehensive disentanglement of attendance as far as possible. A procedure that is as unbureaucratic as possible is regulated individually in the faculties, institutions and departments, it ensures the traceability of possible infection chains and minimizes contacts.

No "systemic relevance" for HSMW employees

There is currently no legislative recognition of a systemic relevance of our work at HSMW (for emergency care eligibility, etc.).

Time recording in Matrix and Vacation

For time recording in Matrix, the already known regulation applies until 22 March 2021. The recordings can be made individually with the absence type "Home Office ganztägig". This absence type is to be entered in Matrix using the category "Korrekturen". Absences already entered (e.g. vacation, sick, child sick) remain valid and may not be overwritten by this absence type. Likewise, leave that has already been requested and approved cannot be canceled. This procedure requires a high degree of trust and guarantees the undiminished continuation of salary payments.

Furthermore, for all university employees, the following applies until further notice:

Library and canteen (Mensa)

The library is closed as a place of learning, although borrowing services remain possible as usual. The Mensa remains open for lunch with a limited offer of take-away meals. It is currently not possible to eat in the Mensa. Also, eating together in the university's facilities must be avoided.

Stricter mask requirements on campus

The general mask requirement on campus remains in effect. Based on the current implementation of the decrees from the federal/state coordination, there is a requirement to wear a medical mask (surgical face mask) or FFP2 mask for encounter activities and for workplace activities in non-individually occupied work spaces. Wearing a facemask of cloth does not meet these requirements and does not allow access to campus traffic areas or to enter or remain in university buildings.

FFP2 masks are available in limited quantities for those university employees who are on campus on a permanent basis. Requests can be made using the form "Antrag Ausgabe Schutzausrüstung" (Request for protective equipment), which can be found in the ZIP under the forms and documents of the Facility Management.

Test facilities and further information

The test service at Mittweida UAS has recommenced its service. University members with COVID-19 symptoms can register for the free test by e-mail or by calling +49-3727/58-1493. Appointments are usually made at short notice.

Furthermore, it is possible to perform an antigen test or an antibody test on a self-cost basis, even without COVID-19 symptoms. The costs are 15,00 Euro per test and will be charged by the student council afterwards (no payment on site). Testing takes place on Wednesdays, 13:00 - 14:00 in the testing tent between house 4 and house 8; pre-registration is not necessary.

The general regulations regarding presence on campus and in university buildings (mask requirement, distance and hygiene regulations, etc.) must still be followed.

Starting 14 December, the government of the Free State of Saxony announced far-reaching actions to combat the epidemic situation in the state. At Hochschule Mittweida, this will result in the following stipulations, which have been agreed upon today by the deans and heads of the central institutions and the rectorate on the basis of our autonomous governance:

• The current regulations confirmed by our committees will be supplemented by making masks mandatory on the entire campus with immediate effect.

At least until 10 January the following applies in addition:

• For teaching and studies: digital courses will be continued according to the respective timetables. Limited function room-bound face-to-face teaching is still possible. Instructors independently check further reduction possibilities and implement them directly with the representatives for the course schedule.
• For the university library: HSB will be closed as a place of learning, but borrowing literature will remain possible.
• For office (incl. lecturers and instructors) and non-office staff such as laboratory staff as well as in central management: from now on, mobile work will once again be the basic policy for all employees. Work in presence at Hochschule Mittweida will remain possible under strict separation and minimization of contacts in specific cases, if the superior in charge agrees. A procedure that is as unbureaucratic as possible will be individually regulated in the faculties, institutions and departments; it ensures the traceability of possible chains of infection.
• For your information: According to the current state of knowledge, there is no recognition by the legislator of the systemic relevance (for kindergartens etc.) of our work at HSMW.
  
• For time recording in Matrix and scheduled leave: Time recording is done individually in Matrix up to and including 11 December 2020. From 14 December 2020 until at least 10 January 2021, the standard arrangement already known from spring and summer will apply, in which eight hours of working time are automatically recorded in Matrix. Leave already applied for and approved cannot be returned. HSMW implements the standard time recording arrangement on the basis of a trustful handling of the situation and thus ensures the undiminished continuation of the salary payments.
• For citizen contribution: The state government requests public service employees to support the health authorities. The deans and heads of the central institutions have therefore been informed by the chancellor to consider such support. The Rectorate would be pleased if our university can make a contribution to combating the pandemic in the region, insofar as the individual working and living situation permits it.

Mittweida University of Applied Sciences switches to a new phase during the corona pandemic on 7 December. After the entire HSMW has, with the greatest efforts, made possible more face-to-face teaching on the campus in Mittweida during the winter semester 2020/2021 than any other Saxon university of applied sciences, we must now reduce learning and teaching in face-to-face courses until 17 January.

The reasons for this decision, which the Senate of HSMW and the rectorate have agreed on, are manifold. The protection of the university members and their families as well as securing the teaching and examination operations at the end of the semester remain crucial. In addition, extensive contact restrictions have been in force in the district of Central Saxony since 1 December, and leaving one's own household is only possible with good reason. The Christmas season and the turn of the year will mean more new contacts in a different environment for many university members than was the case in recent weeks. The digital phase thus promotes "voluntary quarantine" by reducing contacts and national and international mobility.For the reasons mentioned above, among others, the digital phase will apply from 7 December 2020 until 17 January 2021:

• Teaching is principally provided online. Only selected individual events which, due to having to be held in a functional room or under special constellations and due to the fact that they must be held during the digital phase, can be held in the classroom with a maximum number of 10 participants. The faculties and central institutions have independently determined which courses and examinations these are. Students will find the information in their timetable on the web from 5 December 2020.
• Access to the HSMW buildings during that period is only permitted for students who attend such a function room-bound course. For those who do not have the necessary technical or infrastructural prerequisites to participate in synchronous online teaching at home, HSMW has reserved several rooms with a limited number of seats for participation in these live lectures. These are the rooms 8-102, 8-103, 3-019, 4-021, 4-053, and 2-103. Attendance is recorded using the card readers and the HSMW card familiar from the courses. Please note that the capacity of the rooms is limited. For example, rooms 4-053 and 2-103 may only accommodate 10 persons at the same time. All students are therefore encouraged to show solidarity with those who depend on these rooms.
• In addition to the valid reasons for leaving one's own house as required by the new Corona regulation, both work activity and participation in academic courses are considered to be valid. In case of controls within the district of Central Saxony, you can prove this legitimate reason on your way to campus with the HSMW card. As a student identification card, the HSMW card in combination with the identity card also serves as proof of these reasons outside of the district of Central Saxony. Employees can also download a certificate in the ZIP, which certifies the necessity of mobility for professional work.

Work in research and management can continue to be carried out according to the previously known hygiene and contact rules. Even lecturers who do not have the necessary technical infrastructure at home may teach from their office on campus and work there.

For the rest of the semester, it is planned to enable hybrid teaching and thus more presence again from 18 January 2021. Three weeks later, the examination period will begin on 8 February. After the mobility of many university members during the lecture-free period, which lasts until 21 March, HSMW will start the semester again with predominantly online teaching according to current planning. Starting 19 April, the rectorate and the senate hope that warmer weather and hopefully available vaccines will allow us as HSMW to largely return to face-to-face teaching.

The Senate of Mittweida University of Applied Sciences and the University Council have agreed with the Rectorate on necessary actions to deal with the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. While at other Saxon UAS maximum of 10 percent of courses are now held in attendance, HSMW has, since the beginning of the winter semester, committed itself to protecting the health of the university staff while at the same time providing the attendance on campus that is essential for excellent teaching. Mittweida UAS acts largely on its own responsibility in this respect, as the almost 100 health authorities responsible for the university throughout Germany, based on the main residence of the university members, were no longer able to keep up with developments.

HSMW's Corona Board has been working close to the limit for weeks to ensure a successful realization of these measures. Since April, the working group has been working with full commitment on the necessary arrangements, proposing them to the committees of the HSMW for decision and taking over their communication and implementation with student assistants, for example in the context of contact tracking. With the Christmas break, however, the risk of infection increases. By traveling to their families and spending time in their home town, students and employees will have many different contacts. A medium-term quarantine phase, in which digital teaching will make up the vast majority of courses, is therefore inevitable in order to successfully finish the winter semester, track contacts at HSMW and break chains of infection after Christmas. The Rectorate has reached agreement with the Senate on this.

From 7 December to 17 January, attendance at lectures will therefore be further reduced. During this phase, there will only be a limited number of individual appointments for which teaching in face-to-face sessions on campus is possible. The faculties and central institutions are currently discussing which courses can be offered in functionally-oriented rooms with a maximum number of 10 participants. The timetables are to be communicated by the evening of 4 December.

This phase of "digital quarantine" before and after Christmas protects the families of all university members. It also enables us as a university to prepare for the examination phase. By isolating ourselves and reducing contacts to the absolute minimum, we ensure for each individual and for the whole HSMW as far as possible that everyone can spend the three weeks before the exam period - if necessary - and the exam period itself in presence on campus.

Lectures in the winter semester 2020/2021 will begin on 19 October, but new organizational and hygiene arrangements will apply from 28 September. On the one hand, they simplify access to the campus. On the other hand, by concentrating on the traceability of contacts, they lay the foundation for making and keeping teaching, learning, research and university management on campus possible.

Key facts:

• The hybrid winter semester enables higher attendance rates: Teaching will take place on campus again - as far as capacities allow - with adequate protective measures. All university members are awaited back on campus, although attendance times must still be limited.
• Attendance must be recorded in order to identify contacts and break chains of infection in the event of an outbreak. All members of the university therefore always carry their HSMW cards with them. External visitors are consequently registered in the faculties and departments.
• So-called AHA rules must still be observed: distance (Abstand) + hygiene + mask (Alltagsmaske). The masks which have to cover mouth and nose may only be taken off in lectures and in offices/workrooms if the minimum distance is permanently guaranteed.
• Students who cannot return home during breaks or who do not have sufficient internet connections there will find a limited number of workstations in rooms 3-019, 4-021, 8-102 and 8-103. The library is open as well.
• Those who feel ill stay at home. Anyone who has corona symptoms should definitely get tested and inform the HSMW via corona@hs-mitweida.de or +49 3272 58 14 93.
• The attendance of all employees can be registered in the "Absence System": Central registration is then carried out in faculties and department to determine who is not working at the university. The deans and heads of departments decide which principle is adopted.

The detailed regulations can be found on the subpages for students, teaching staff and employees.

In the winter semester 2020/2021, the block-week period begins on 21 September. The two additional weeks will be used to catch up on courses from the summer semester 2020 that require presence on the campus of Mittweida UAS. The preparatory courses for future students will also begin on 21 September. Originally in April, HSMW had planned the starting date for the block weeks to be 5 October. The extended period for block weeks and preparatory courses will allow the courses to be unbundled in terms of space and time in order to maintain the necessary hygiene conditions to contain the pandemic.

The unusual summer semester 2020 is coming to an end. The sometimes painful restrictions and, above all, the discipline of the majority of the population have contributed to the fact that loosening up in many areas of the economy and society can now be justified, taking into account many legitimate interests. What applies on a large scale also applies on the - relatively - small scale of our university.

From 22 June 2020, new regulations will therefore apply on the campus of Mittweida UAS, which have been incorporated into the information for students, employees and lecturers as FAQs. They concern, among other things, campus presence and access rules, mask obligation, break times, the university library, work rooms, business trips and time recording.

The new regulations apply subject to further favorable developments. They replace or supplement the service regulations of 14 May 2020 as well as the general guideline "Attendance on Campus in the Digital Summer Semester 2020" of 7 May 2020.

In order to support digital teaching and learning, the University Library (HSB) offers to access its hardcopy stock during the Corona Pandemic, either by picking it up or electronically. This also applies to lecturers. They can order up to 15 percent of a publication and then upload it to their digital semester apparatus on the learning platform used.

Lecturers and students alike order the literature as usual via the Primo research portal. They will receive an e-mail notification of availability when the library colleagues have selected the book. The title will then be available at the "pick-up counter" at the HSB's return machine, which is open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 2 pm. Students and teachers who are unable to pick up the publication will reply directly to the HSB's e-mail and request an "elektronische Zustellung" (electronic delivery). For this purpose, the required contents (chapters, pages) of the respective title must be specified. The HSB staff will endeavour to digitise and send the literature within one working day.

In addition to the guideline "Anwesenheit auf dem Campus im digitalen Sommersemester 2020 an der Hochschule Mittweida" the rectorate has discussed further regulations with the deans of the faculties regarding attendance in teaching, management and research.These are directed at students, lecturers, researchers and employees in university management and the directors' villa.

In general, Mittweida University of Applied Sciences carries out the summer semester as a digital summer semester. By reducing the movement of employees and students and by avoiding physical contact, all members of the university contribute to containing the pandemic. Together we are helping to protect our own health and that of our colleagues, fellow students, friends and family members. This is and remains the primary objective of the measures.  Faculties, central institutions and the university management have identified research and other projects in which it is possible to work in presence at the university for a specific period of time, with limited personnel and space.

The following applies to students:

• The safe and successful attendance in the Digital Summer Semester 2020 depends to a large extent on each individual's consistent implementation of the guidelines.
• As you are part of the most important and numerically largest group in attendance, the rector is calling on you to make your contribution and to live up to your high responsibility towards your fellow students and teachers. This also applies to your behavior on campus and in the university city before and after courses of the attendence elements. We have planned these in such a way that you have to travel as little as possible and have few encounters.
• In addition to your ethical and moral obligation, please consider possible disadvantages for your studies, which we all want to prevent. Disregarding the rules can lead to exclusion from courses and expulsion from campus. Your lecturers have been given the householder's rights for this.

The following applies to lecturers:

• The safe and successful attendance of the Digital Summer Semester 2020 depends largely on your ability to reliably fulfil the tasks set out in the service instructions - in addition to your teaching duties. The rector urges you to implement them consistently.
• In order to implement the measures, the rector transfers to the lecturers for the duration of their course the householder's rights vis-à-vis the participating students, subject to proportionate application.  In particular, you are entitled to expel persons from your course and from the building if they violate the general house rules and the special rules known to everyone. Please record such cases.

The following applies to researchers:

• The time and extent of attendance at the university for researchers / for research and project activities (in future: "on-site research including on-site projects") is subordinate to attendance in teaching in the case of time and spacial conflicts.
• Just like the time planning, the implementation of on-site research must also follow strict rules, which researchers and their project managers are personally responsible for observing.
• The safe and successful implementation of the research and externally funded projects within the framework of the Digital Summer Semester 2020 depends largely on the fact that you as a researcher, in addition to your scientific, organisational and administrative activities in the project, reliably fulfil the tasks set out in the instructions. The rector calls upon you to implement them consistently. Please also consider possible consequences under employment law and other consequences that we all want to avoid.

The following applies to employees in university management and the directors' villa:

• Ensuring that the elements of attendance are secured also creates a special responsibility for you as an employee in university management. Please be highly committed to the realisation of the on-site operation.
• The safe and successful execution of the Digital Summer Semester 2020 depends to a large extent on your ability as an employee in university management to reliably fulfil the tasks of the official instructions. As an employee, you are directly responsible to the university administration.

In detail: Instructions and guidelines

The instructions for each group supplement the guideline "Anwesenheit auf dem Campus im digitalen Sommersemester 2020 an der Hochschule Mittweida" with detailed regulations. You can find them below as a PDF for download. For permanent access, information is available on the subpages for the individual groups. Please pay attention to and use the following documents:

• Dienstanweisung für Lehrende zur Durchführung von Präsenzlehre im digitalen Sommersemester an der Hochschule Mittweida.
  • Handlungsanweisungen für den Lehrbetrieb
    • Teilnehmerliste
• Richtlinie für Studierende zur Teilnahme an der Präsenzlehre im digitalen Sommersemester an der Hochschule Mittweida.
• Dienstanweisung für Mitarbeitende im Hochschulmanagement und in der Direktorenvilla im digitalen Sommersemester an der Hochschule Mittweida.
• Dienstanweisung für Forschende und Leiter von Forschungs- und Hochschulprojekten im digitalen Sommersemester an der Hochschule Mittweida.

On 7 May 2020, the university administration together with the deans issued the guideline "Presence on campus during the digital summer semester 2020 at Mittweida University. (Studies, Teaching, Research, Management)".

The corona pandemic prevents a regular execution of the summer semester 2020 at Mittweida University of Applied Sciences. The necessary national and international mobility of lecturers and students to carry out a on-campus semester promotes the spread of the corona-virus. The summer semester will therefore be conducted as a digital semester and supplemented by individual attendance elements.

The guidelines include - among other things - the following

• the attendance of professors, students, staff, in teaching and research, the rectorate, the university
• the prioritization of possible attendance approvals,
• possibilities of access to the buildings and the procedures required for this,
• hygiene rules on campus, including the obligation to wear face masks covering mouth and nose on the entire campus and the use and distribution of disinfectants and masks.

The entire guideline is now available to all university members as a PDF download (German only). Supplementary instructions and further information for specific groups will follow.

Information on digital learning and examinations is still available on the Campus Mundus University website.

• Please note the general information on handling the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which is valid for all university members. Here you will find tips on mobility, hygiene and other information to prevent the virus from spreading.
• Students can obtain further information tailored to their needs by clicking on "Information for students".
• Lecturers receive suggestions and support for the use of distance learning elements, learning platforms and online communication from the Prorectorate of Education, the IWD and the NCC on their own subpage. This information is intended to help make it possible to study in digital or decentralised form.
• The Free State of Saxony has also provided further information for all employees. This information is also bundled on a subpage for employees.