Due to the sharp rise in the number of cases, the Federal Council today approved important measures that will shape the way we live, work and study in the coming months. Crucial for the University of Basel is the requirement that universities must switch to distance learning as soon as possible, and no later than Monday, November 2. In contrast to the regulation during the lockdown in spring, this provision is formulated in such a way that those courses where attendance is mandatory can continue to be offered.

Based on the Federal Council's guidelines, the university management has decided the following measures:

• Classroom teaching will be discontinued until further notice, and courses will be offered as soon as possible, and at the latest from Monday, November 2, via digital channels.
• Exceptions to this rule are courses and teaching activities for which attendance is mandatory (for example, practical classes or Master Thesis in the laboratory).
• The Vice-President for Education decides in consultation with the Deans of Studies on which courses attendance is mandatory. Corresponding inquiries should be addressed to the Deans of Studies.

Lecturers who teach in class during the current semester will immediately inform their students how they will offer their courses digitally. Lecturers must respect the times given in the course directory.

University Premises

The buildings of the University of Basel will remain open for their members. This also applies to learning rooms like the Lernoullianum. The university management appeals to the members of the University to strictly adhere to the relevant protective measures when using them.

A mask must always be worn in the publicly accessible rooms. The exception that the mask may be taken off while seated, provided the minimum distance is observed, is thus removed. The obligation to wear a mask also applies to learning rooms, even while seated.

Libraries and Learning Rooms

The libraries of the University of Basel will continue to operate with the currently valid protection concept. The opening hours will be adjusted if necessary. Further information will be published on the websites of the libraries.

Beside the libraries (please check for the current visitor numbers) the following learning rooms can currently be used:

• Lernoullianum
• The seminar rooms S 208, S 209, S 210 und S 211 in the Kollegienhaus.

The University urgently asks you to follow the distance and hygiene rules including the obligation to wear a mask. The maximum number of people permitted in a room must not be exceeded.

Rooms for participation in online events

Some students may need a room to participate in online courses. The following recommendations have been made for this purpose:

• Students can contact their subject departments - many of them offer individual solutions for their respective buildings solutions. The Dean's Offices and secretariats provide information on the respective procedures.
• If it is not possible to occupy a suitable room in this way, smaller (teaching) rooms can be requested to a limited extent via the room info tool for participation in online events. Please use the "Instructions for Room Reservation for Participation/Admission Online Event" in the Room Info Tool under Hilfe & Kontakt (in German).

Infrastructure 

• The guide entitled From ADAM to Zoom provides students with information about digital tools and infrastructure at the University of Basel.
• For the fall semester 2020, the university is also providing students with access to Zoom — they are covered by the full license and can organize meetings themselves. This is intended to facilitate digital collaboration in small and medium-sized groups.
• Students also continue to have access to SWITCHmeet for this purpose.
• The Edutools website provides an overview of digital tools at the University of Basel.

The lecturers and deans of studies provide information on how the examinations will be conducted. Examinations that are carried out on site follow a safety concept for in-classroom examinations which has been approved by the Department of Health. Questions regarding examinations can be directed to the respective lecturers.

Recommendations

• We advise all members of the University to install the Swiss Covid app and urge them to follow the recommendations of the FOPH, both at the university and in their private life.
• All teaching staff and students are advised to consult the relevant central and faculty web pages on a regular basis.

More tips

Covid-19 special offers for advantageous (temporary) hotel accommodation for students can be found here.