The Rectorate informed all staff, employees and students by e-mail on October 23 and 26 that online registration will be required from October 27 before TU Dresden buildings and facilities are frequented. Please use the appropriate tool. The house rules have been adapted accordingly.

Message from the Vice-Rector Academic Affairs
16^th October 2020

Dear new students,
Dear returning students,

 The coronavirus pandemic situation in Germany, in Dresden and also at Technische Universität Dresden continues to be volatile and infection rates are increasing at an alarming rate. Against this background, the question of how to travel to Dresden and your presence on campus at the start of the 2020/21 winter semester will be of particular interest to you in the coming days.

For this reason, I would like to update you on the current TUD regulations in order to optimally protect the health of both students and staff.

• For students returning from national areas with an increased infection rate (as designated by the Robert Koch Institute RKI), it is recommended that they should not enter TUD premises for at least five days following their arrival, even if they have tested negative for corona. This recommendation pertains particularly to buildings, seminar and lecture rooms or open spaces on campus.
• This stipulation does not apply to students who regularly commute (usually daily) from their homes to TUD to study. As a general rule, we ask that students avoid non-essential, long-term stays in areas with an increased risk of infection (including non-essential weekend commuting). Daily updated information on national areas with an increased risk of infection can be found on the RKI website by clicking on the “COVID-19 Dashboard with daily updates of case numbers”.
• Students entering from international risk areas (cross-border) must comply with the quarantine regulations of the Free State of Saxony. You can get the latest information on international risk areas on the English language site of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) under the heading “Information on the designation of international risk areas”.
• For students returning from non-risk areas with intercontinental travel routes, it is recommended that they should not enter TUD premises for at least 5 days after the day of arrival. 
• For category II contact persons, it is recommended that they do not enter TUD premises for at least 5 days after contact with an infected person. The precise definition of a Category II contact person is published by the RKI. 
• Wearing a mouth and nose cover is mandatory in all TUD facilities with the exception of the workplace for staff or the seat in a teaching room for students. 

We sincerely hope that you will act prudently and responsibly in light of the resurgent second COVID-19 wave, so as to not only protect your own health but also that of our TUD community. Please keep yourself informed about the current status and quarantine measures of the Free State of Saxony. We also recommend that you use the Corona App. 

I am aware that in the coming days and weeks, questions about the current situation and the regulations in force will come up frequently. Please rest assured that TUD will strive to always keep the student body up-to-date. Please familiarise yourself with the latest information by visiting the TU Dresden coronavirus information website.

But most importantly – stay healthy!

We are delighted about the start of the 2020/21 winter semester and we hope to be able to welcome you soon to TU Dresden – while observing the above-mentioned rules, of course!

Best regards,

Prof. Dr. Gerald Gerlach
Vice-Rector Academic Affairs

The student council collects the events of the student representatives every year during the freshman semester week and places tips and welcome information for the "Ersts" on its website.

This year there will also be a compilation for international students compilation for international students for the first time. This semester, the International Students Office wanted to make a special effort to ensure that international students also feel welcome at the TU. Even if they are perhaps not even on site.

On 10^th June 2020, the Senate declared that, also in the future, on-site teaching and learning at TU Dresden should be the normal mode of operations. At the same time, it passed a resolution to prepare TU Dresden's degree programmes in the 2020/21 winter semester for online teaching in accordance with the continuation of the regulations in force at the end of the 2020 summer semester, in order to be able to react appropriately to restrictions of the normal on-site operations, if necessary. The full text of the resolution can be found here: https://tu-dresden.de/tu-dresden/gesundheitsmanagement/ressourcen/dateien/corona/tud-dokumente-intern/Senatsbeschluss-Studienregelungen-WS20_21.pdf.

According to the current schedule, the winter semester will start on 1^st October 2020.

Start of lectures:

1. The lectures will begin on 26^th October 2020 for students of all semesters, except for the State Examination degree programmes of the Faculty of Medicine.

2. For 1^st semester students enrolled in the State Examination degree programmes at the Faculty of Medicine, lectures will begin on 2^nd November, for students in advanced semesters on 12^th October 2020.

Please also note the modified organisation of the academic year.

What does "limited on-site operations" mean?

The most important goal of all measures is still to minimise the risk of infections. The health of all members of the university has the highest priority. Therefore, TU Dresden is gradually easing the restrictions in moderate steps. These measures follow the respective applicable regulations of the Federal and State governments.

The process of easing is accompanied by a concept of measures, which was made available to the heads of the organisational units of the university. It is the basis for re-establishing the work environment.

The basic rule is:

• reduce physical-social contact with other people to the absolutely necessary minimum,
• keep a minimum distance of 1.5 metres to other people,
• observe hygiene rules.

This means in concrete terms:

Teaching, research, and activities to support research and teaching, e.g. in workshops, will again be possible to a limited extent.

This is based on the following regulations on infection protection:

• Saxon Corona Protection Ordinance
• Circular letter of the Vice-Rector Research on the conditions for limited laboratory operation (since 20^th April 2020)
• Circular letter of the Vice-Rector for Academic and International Affairs on the framework conditions for limited on-site teaching (8^th June 2020). For each new class, lecturers must have a corresponding safety concept approved by the Dean or the head of the Central Unit.

The summer semester is primarily be held online. Only the events that have already been applied for and authorised (e.g. practical courses in chemistry) are allowed to take place on-site.
Specifications for the limitation of courses requiring students’ attendance at TU Dresden during the corona pandemic

Will the winter semester primarily be held online?
On 10^th June 2020, the Senate declared that, also in the future, on-site teaching and learning at TU Dresden should be the normal mode of operations.  At the same time, it passed a resolution to prepare TU Dresden's degree programmes in the 2020/21 winter semester for online teaching in accordance with the continuation of the regulations in force at the end of the 2020 summer semester, in order to be able to react appropriately to restrictions of the normal on-site operations, if necessary. The full text of the resolution can be found here:  https://tu-dresden.de/tu-dresden/gesundheitsmanagement/ressourcen/dateien/corona/tud-dokumente-intern/resolution_of_senate_regulations_20_21_winter_semester.pdf

According to the current schedule, the winter semester will start on 1^st October 2020.

The Senate decides to supplement the academic year schedule regarding the courses of the 2020/21 winter semester as follows: 

• On 26^th October 2020, teaching events in degree programmes for students of all semesters will begin with the exception of state examination degrees of the Faculty of Medicine.
• For 1^st semester students going for State Examination at the Faculty of Medicine, clasroom-based lessons will begin on 2^nd November, for students in advanced semesters on 12^th October.

https://www.kmk.org/presse/pressearchiv/mitteilung/kmk-sommersemester-2020-findet-statt.html

The most important goal of all measures is still to minimise the risk of infection transmission. The health of all members of the university has the highest priority.  For this reason, TU Dresden will only ease the restrictions in moderate steps. We are still far away from any degree of “normal operations”, but we’ve been able to somewhat extend the restricted on-site operations since 18^thMay 2020. The framework conditions for these steps are the respective valid federal and state regulations.

The steps towards a restricted classroom teaching (i.e. teaching events that require students to attend) are accompanied by a concept of measures. It is the basis for returning to work.

Please note the following provisions:

• reduce physical-social contact with other individuals to an absolute minimum,
• a minimum distance of 1.5 metres between individuals,
• adhering to hygiene rules.

Since 8^th June 2020 it is no longer necessary to apply to work on TU Dresden premises using the ZIH tool.

In concrete terms, this means:

Teaching and research as well as activities to support research and teaching, e.g. in workshops, is possible to a limited extent, in line with the Saxon Corona Protection Decree as well as in line with the abovementioned TUD regulations.

The basis for this are the following regulations:

• Saxon Corona Protection Decree (as of 6^th June - only German)
• Circular Mail of the Vice-Rector for Research on limited lab work (since 20th April 2020)
• Circular Mail from the Vice-Rector for Academic and International Affairs on limited teaching that requires students and lecturers to attend (8^th June 2020). For each individual event, a safety concept that follows all TUD recommendations must be submitted by the respective lecturer and approved by the Dean or the head of the central institution.

The protection of the health of both lecturers and students has the highest priority. Therefore, safety concepts have been developed for courses requiring attendance. A minimum distance of 1.5m between persons in the building and during the courses must be observed, and the group size is to be reduced. Additionally, rooms with separate entrances and exits should be used wherever possible, and hygienic conditions (washing facilities in the sanitary facilities) be ensured. Students are also strongly advised to obtain and wear a mask to cover their nose and mouth. Advice on the use and cleaning of cloth face masks.

The teaching formats will also be adapted to the current conditions.

Please observe the applicable hygiene rules at TU Dresden.

Message from the Vice-Rector Academic Affairs
17^th September 2020

Dear students,

The official start of the 2020/2021 winter semester at TU Dresden is 1st October. After having to move the 2020 summer semester online within a very short space of time due to the corona pandemic, we would like to welcome you once again personally to the university for the winter semester, even if this will only be possible to a limited extent.

Of course, the regulations of the Saxon Corona Protection Ordinance still only allow for limited on-site activities (https://www.coronavirus.sachsen.de/amtliche-bekanntmachungen.html). For this reason, lecturers at TU Dresden are also preparing for a predominantly digital winter semester (https://tu-dresden.de/tu-dresden/gesundheitsmanagement/information-regarding-covid-19-coronavirus-sars-cov-2/faq?set_language=en). This means that in the coming semester, you - dear students - will continue to study online for most of your courses and will exchange information with fellow students digitally.

However, a part of the teaching, especially seminars, practicals and tutorials, will be authorised to take place on site, provided that the 1.5m distancing rule is observed. We assume that this will affect around 10-15% of all courses based on the available room capacities. We are pleased that this will be possible, since personal contact between teachers and students is of great importance for learning progress. It is particularly important to us that this will enable a smooth transition between school and university, especially for students in their first semester.

The principles for the organisation for the 2020/2021 winter semester can be found in the Resolution of the University Executive Board from 11th August 2020 (https://tu-dresden.de/studium/im-studium/ressourcen/dateien/corona_imstudium/organistaion-wintersemester-2020-21-eng.pdf). For the new semester, lectures in all degree programmes will begin on 26th October 2020. Only the first semester courses of the state examination degree programmes of the Faculty of Medicine begin on 2nd November 2020, while those of the later semesters on 12th October 2020.

For the best possible protection of all members of TU Dresden, I would like to encourage you - especially if you are participating in on-site teaching activities – to:

• take advantage of the flu vaccination. (RKI recommendation for persons in institutions with increased public traffic https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/Infekt/Impfen/ImpfungenAZ/Influenza/Influenza.html)
• follow the hygiene regulations to reduce the risk of infection (https://tu-dresden.de/tu-dresden/gesundheitsmanagement/information-regarding-covid-19-coronavirus-sars-cov-2/hygieneempfehlungen)
• inform your lecturers and the Public Health Department if you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 (Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2) (https://tu-dresden.de/tu-dresden/gesundheitsmanagement/ressourcen/dateien/corona/tud-dokumente-intern/Prozessablauf_Infektion_Corona_Studierende_060820.pdf)

I am very much looking forward to welcoming the new first-year students who will begin their studies at TU Dresden in the 2020/2021 winter semester. To ensure that you start your studies successfully, I would like to encourage you to take advantage of our introductory events for the first semester (https://tu-dresden.de/studium/im-studium/coronavirus). These will take place partly on site and partly online.

All students at TU Dresden have access to a comprehensive range of services and advice for all questions concerning their studies (https://tu-dresden.de/studium/im-studium/beratung-und-service).

I would like to wish us all a successful winter semester.

Yours sincerely,
Prof. Dr. Gerald Gerlach

Prorektor Bildung | Vice-Rector Academic Affairs

The legal bases for you as a teacher are §60a and §60c of the UrhG (German copyright law). You may reproduce and distribute up to 15 percent of a work for the purpose of non-commercial scientific research in compliance with the statutory provisions and make it accessible to a limited group of users. This overview shows which materials can be made electronically available for university courses. The legal bases for us as a library are §60b and §60e of the UrhG. Libraries may reproduce up to 10 percent of a published work as well as individual articles that have appeared in specialist or scientific journals for individual orders requested by users for non-commercial purposes.

If you need media and literature for your online courses that are only available in printed or physical form in the SLUB's collection, the SLUB would be happy to help you put together a digital course reserve collection.

If you upload files to OPAL, please pay attention to the following points:

• The OPAL course is password-protected and is only accessible to a limited number of students
• To the extent permitted, the files are only available for the academic work of the students for that semester.
• Students are advised that the transfer of files to third parties is not permitted; the copies are only to be used for their own private and academic work
• The files will be removed from the OPAL course after the allotted time has expired.

In order to facilitate your research in times of Corona, some publishers and database providers have extended access to their offers. You can find an overview of the extended range of electronic resources here.

The following tools can be used with the ZIH login:

• Video conference rooms for smaller groups (about 6 participants) can be created with Jitsi and secured by password.
• Chat rooms in Matrix with single or multiple persons allow text-based synchronous communication.
• In the online storage Cloud store, 2 GB storage space is available for students. Individual files or entire folders can be activated for download or shared editing for specific people. Versioning and commenting of files is possible.
• In the learning platform OPAL, working groups can be created and managed independently by students. They allow the cooperation of group members through tools like calendar, blog, forum, wiki and folders for file exchange. Further information can be found in the OPAL manual.

Until further notice, no more public events will take place on the campuses of TU Dresden. This includes sports activities, rehearsals and events of artistic groups etc.

Degree programme or subject-specific information is provided on the respective pages of the Schools, faculties, examination offices or central units.

From December 10, 2020, there will be no more classroom teaching at the TU Dresden due to the increasing number of infections. Only digital forms of teaching and learning will be offered. Even learning in small groups in TU Dresden buildings will no longer be possible from this date. As soon as the situation changes we will inform you here about available rooms.

An amendment to the Law on Autonomy of Institutions of Higher Education in the Free State of Saxony is expected until the end of december. According to the current state of knowledge, an extension of the standard period of study due to the COVID-19 pandemic is expected. It remains to be seen how applications for non-recognition of the 2020 summer semester, which have already been approved, will then be dealt with. Decisions on newly received applications for non-recognition of the 2020 summer semester are currently being postponed until the end of January due to the expected change in the law . We ask you to refrain from submitting applications until the new Law on Autonomy of Institutions of Higher Education in the Free State of Saxony has been passed. As soon as the amendment to the Law on Autonomy of Institutions of Higher Education in the Free State of Saxony has come into force, we will inform you about the associated measures and in a separate circular letter in a timely manner.  

In accordance with §35 para. 4 Act on the Autonomy of Institutions of Higher Education in the Free State of Saxony (SächsHSFG), a graduation examination is deemed failed if it has not been completed within the 4 semesters immediately following the end of the standard period of study. In this way, the legislator provides a time buffer of 4 semesters that are independent of any additional semesters of leave of absence, which the student can still make use of to earn credits even following the standard period of study, without affecting the examination deadlines.  If students are able to finish their studies within the aforementioned period despite the corona crisis, an application for leave of absence or an application for study periods not to be counted is generally not necessary.
If it is foreseeable that, due to the corona crisis, you will not be able to meet your examination deadlines (standard period of study + 4 semesters), we advise you to apply for the 2020/2021 winter semester to be not counted towards the total number of semesters at the Admissions Office or International Office.

Application for the semester to be not counted towards the total number of semesters (§ 10 para. 2 no. 2 and 3 Enrolment Regulations of TU Dresden)
An application for the 2020/21 winter semester to e not counted can be submitted at any time during the course of study (also in later semesters), but no earlier than 1^st April 2021, if there were restrictions in the course of study during the 2020/21 winter semester due to the corona crisis and not all examinations could be taken. For this purpose, an abbreviated online application procedure will be set up on the Selma Portal under [study organisation] and [application overview] starting 1^st April. The sole condition for the approval of the application for the semester to be not counted towards the total number of semesters is your confirmation that, due to the corona crisis, you have earned fewer credits in the 2020/21 winter semester than are planned for that semester. Proof is not necessary. It is therefore generally possible to take examinations during the semester. The semester to be not counted results in the number of semesters being reduced by one. Before applying, we recommend that you enquire with the relevant authorities about the consequences of the semester not being counted and the associated change of the number of semesters regarding the payment of BAföG, child benefit allowance, scholarships, orphan allowances, educational loans, etc.

If you have paid long-term or second study fees in the 2020/21 winter semester, you can apply for a reimbursement of these fees alongside the application for the semester to be not counted on the Selma Portal. It is not possible to refund the regular semester fee including the cost of the semester ticket.

If you have any further specific queries or problems regarding the organisation of your studies, please contact the Admissions Office or the International Office by email via the SCS. The responsible staff members will work with you to find a suitable solution for the successful continuation of your studies based on your specific situation.

Starting from the 10.December 2020 no more operational readiness level teachings take place at the TU Dresden due to the rising infection numbers.

On-site teaching at TU Dresden will be limited in the 2020/2021 winter semester. Please register for your courses using the OPAL learning platform so that you can take advantage of the e-learning offers from your department. Please check whether enrolment via selma is necessary for your degree programme. You can find an overview of the degree programmes affected by this on the website "Exam and Course Management in selma". If you have any further questions about enrolment in selma, please contact your Academic Affairs Office or the ServiceCenterStudies.

Please also check TU Dresden’s homepage for up-to-date information valid for the entire university.

Applications for guest student can still be made. Before applying, interested parties should contact the respective lecturer to find out whether participation in the online course is possible. Since a guest login is required for later access to the course, the guest login can also be applied for. This can be done informally on the application form for guest students, adding your place of birth. The application form for guest students can be downloaded as a pdf document from the website. Please send the application form for guest students by email to the Centre for Continuing Education.

Festlegungen für den Prüfungsbetrieb für das Wintersemester 2020/2021 (23.11.2020)

How examinations should be done: https://tu-dresden.de/studium/im-studium/ressourcen/dateien/corona_imstudium/2020-06-09_Festlegungen_Pruefungen_TUD_ENG.pdf?lang=en

Hygiene Regulations for on-site examinations: https://tu-dresden.de/studium/im-studium/ressourcen/dateien/corona_imstudium/200610_Hygieneregel_Pruefungen_SoSe2020_ENG.pdf?lang=en

The current status can be accessed here: Examinations/certificates

If you have any questions regarding upcoming exams (including the submission of final theses), please contact the Examination Office of your department directly. Please use the overview of all Examination Offices. Students in Teacher Training please contact the ZLSB directly.

Web meetings can be used. Details must be clarified with the examiners. The Examination Committee should be appropriately involved in the decision. In order to create transparency within the university, the meeting must be held publicly. The announcement of the defences, for example, can be made on the TUD website, whose address could be made known via the general distribution list. The details are decided upon in D7. TUD's Data Protection Officer (DSB) has given the following advice on this in previous inquiries: For reasons of data protection, no electronic recording should be made, but rather a conventional record should be kept.  The person to be examined must be informed about this before the examination begins. Furthermore, according to the Data Protection Officer, it must be ensured that the connection is encrypted. The requirements of the examination procedure and the examination regulations must also be complied with, despite the fact that the examination is conducted by video conference. The same applies to PhD proceedings. Aspects to be considered are public/non-public aspects of examinations, consultation on examination results with a closed circle of participants or proper appointment and participation of examiners and observers. These matters can also be resolved by video conferencing. From a technical point of view, the video conference must run smoothly; it must be ensured that the person connected via video conference can hear the examination discussions well, is clearly audible and cannot be distracted, etc. It must also be ensured as well as possible that the person to be examined has no opportunity for deceit throughout their examination performance. It must furthermore be ensured that the examiners are able to evaluate the examination performance completely and directly and thus independently.

Depending on the course, there are different types of internships (e.g. laboratory internships, internships in schools or in companies), so it is not possible to make a blanket statement on how to deal with  internships during the Corona pandemic. Please contact the person in your faculty, who ist responsible to coordinate the internships to adress possible modifications and changes in the implementation of the internship.

From 4.5.2020, students are allowed to carry out experimental work in laboratories at TU Dresden as part of their final theses (BA/MA/Diplom/StEx), provided the requirements of the Prorector Research ( Message of the Vice-Rector for Research on 14th April 2020 ) are met. The supervising university teacher is responsible for this.

The Prorector for Education and International Affairs has issued regulations for the performance of examinations at the TU Dresden during the Corona Pandemic, dated May 4, 2020. These stipulate that "the examiners may also offer significantly different examination formats". For you, this means that you may have to submit a new or modified application for disadvantage compensation so that your impairment is also taken into account accordingly in the modified examination format.

It will advise you on
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Gesine Marquardt and Prof. Dr. Gerhard Weber
The representatives for students with disabilities and chronic illness.
www.tu-dresden.de/bfsb

Dipl.-Päd. Anja Winkler
Certified Peer Counselor (ISL)/Peer-to-Peer Advisor for prospective students, students and employees with disabilities/chronic illness  anja.winkler4@tu-dresden.de

Here you will find questions & answers in the context of the non-recognition of a semester in connection with examinations taken:

Question: Since the nonrecognition can only take place in the next semester: What happens to students whose standard period of study expires this semester?
Answer: Nothing happens to these students during the examination process, as the first relevant deadline does not apply until 4 semesters after the end of the standard period of study.  Then, however, a first fictitious failure of the final examination occurs, which the students can prevent by not taking the semester into account.

Question: Does nonrecognition also occur if only one examination has not been completed?
Answer: Yes, even then nonrecognition is possible.

Question: If you have completed all your exams and return one of them, is it still possible not to get credit?
Answer: Yes, even then non-accounting is possible.

Question: Do examinations lapse if the semester is not credited?
Answer: No

Question: Can all types of examination papers be returned?
Answer: Yes.

Question: Can grades be returned without explanation?
Answer: Yes, see Explanatory Note Number 4 to Senate Resolution https://tu-dresden.de/intern/studium-und-lehre/ressourcen/dateien/studiengangsangelegenheiten/webseite-pruefungsmanagement_ab-juli-2019/Ausfuehrungsbestimmungen_090620.pdf

Question: Will the return be noted on the certificate?
Answer: No.

Due to the Covid 19 pandemic, there are currently many restrictions on public life worldwide. This also affects areas that may be relevant to your planned application to TU Dresden for the summer semester 2021, such as the possibility to take language courses and language tests, to have documents certified or to send them by mail.

Please contact us via e-mail, if your questions are not yet answered in the FAQs of the International Office regarding the application process during Corona.

Currently, we receive many questions by exchange students that are not sure about their (planned) exchange studies at TU Dresden. We have compiled a list of FAQ for you; please contact us via email in case of any questions.

Some of the most frequent questions and answers have already been posted by the International Office. If you have any other queries regarding your current stay at TUD, please contact the International Office (AAA) via the ServiceCenterStudium.

You can find information on internships abroad on the website of the LEONARDO Office Saxony.

Until further notice, there will be no excursions/study trips in the summer semester 2020. For further information, e.g. on alternative dates, please contact the responsible person at your department.

Current information on BAföG can be found on the website of the Studentenwerk Dresden (Student Union).

You can apply to the BaföG office for an update if your parents' or spouse's income has decreased. If your studies are being delayed due to the corona pandemic, the Studentenwerk Dresden or the Students' Council (http://www.stura.tu-dresden.de/beratung) will advise you on options of a longer funding period.

The Association of Friends and Sponsors of TU Dresden (GFF) supports students who face financial challenges due to the corona pandemic. You can find information on how to apply here.

KfW Credit

The Federal Government supports students who have got into financial difficulties due to the corona pandemic with loans. Please refer to the KfW website for information on the possibility of a loan. The KfW loan is interest-free until 31^st March 2021 and open to all students residing in Germany.

An extension of the tenancy is possible also beyond the standard period of study: https://www.studentenwerk-dresden.de/wohnen/verlaengerung-mietvertrag.html. Student inquirers should contact the Studentenwerk directly.

The semester not being counted towards the total number of semesters can - like a leave of absence - have an impact on financial benefits to students. Before applying for the semester to be not counted, students are advised to consult with the relevant funding agencies. For BAföG beneficiaries, the semester not being counted does not have any positive effects on the duration of funding. The Studentenwerk or the Student Council will advise you on the possibilities of an extended funding period.

Yes, the diverse range of advisory services now take place online (e.g. via Skype with audio/video) or by telephone. You can book an appointment here. Forthermore there is an increased range of e-tutorials: for example, Zitat statt Plagiat - Was, warum und wie zitieren?! (Quotation Instead of Plagiarism - what, why and how to quote?) is fresh from the oven. You can find a complete overview of our SLUB tutorials here.

All of the SLUB’s digital services are available as usual. An increasing number of publishers and database providers are making their services more accessible. As a member of the TU Dresden, you also benefit from this. Here you can find an overview of this extended range of e-media (is continually updated).

SLUB and Go: minimal contact lending service

In addition to the expanded digital services being offered during the coronavirus crisis, the SLUB will open its doors again on 27.04.2020 with a minimal contact lending service. This service is, however, subject to conditions. The main priority still is to prevent a rapid spread of COVID-19 as much as possible. All SLUB locations are reopen with restricted services for a minimal contact lending service. It will be open exclusively for returns and the collection of literature that was ordered in advance online. Collection will only be possible during your booked timeslot.

The SLUB still focuses on online services (here you can find an overview of all digital services). The service desks will not be staffed, and the free scan delivery service SLUB on Demand will remain in place for students and researchers at the TU Dresden. With the introduction of the new minimal contact lending service, the library now also wants to give all SLUB users access to urgently required literature that is only available in analogue form while also complying with the official requirements.

If you would like to use the lending service, please check out this webpage and book an appointment online. You can find detailed information on all current services in the COVID19 checklist. You can also keep up to date on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You do not need to book a timeslot to visit the branch libraries.

Items which were borrowed before the closure of the SLUB will no longer be automatically renewed after 25.05.2020. The regular loan period of four weeks (two weeks for audio-visual media) with the option of two additional electronic renewals now apply. As long as borrowed items are not on hold, you can renew them online in your user account. If items are not brought back or renewed on time, a late fee will be charged. Now that all locations have reopened, the SLUB will start recharging late fees for items not returned on time on 02.06.2020.

For urgent cases the library offers a free scan delivery service for the duration of the corona crisis. It is available for all members of the TU Dresden with a valid SLUB card and is limited to a maximum of 3 orders per week. Detailed information on SLUB on Demand is available here.

SLUB and Go: minimal contact lending service

In addition to the expanded digital services being offered during the coronavirus crisis, the SLUB will open its doors again on 27.04.2020 with a minimal contact lending service. This service is, however, subject to conditions. The main priority still is to prevent a rapid spread of COVID-19 as much as possible. All SLUB locations are reopen with restricted services for a minimal contact lending service. Collection will only be possible during your booked timeslot. You do not need to book a timeslot to visit the branch libraries.

The SLUB still focuses on online services (here you can find an overview of all digital services). The service desks will not be staffed, and the free scan delivery service SLUB on Demand will remain in place for students and researchers at the TU Dresden. With the introduction of the new minimal contact lending service, the library now also wants to give all SLUB users access to urgently required literature that is only available in analogue form while also complying with the official requirements.

If you would like to use the lending service, please check out this webpage and book an appointment online. You can find detailed information on all current services in the COVID19 checklist. You can also keep up to date on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

At the moment, the TU Dresden service and consulting facilities do not offer personal office hours. However, all facilities can still be reached via email, telephone and in some cases via chat and telephone consultation hours.

Workshops are partly offered as webinars. Please inform yourself under Advice and Service about the current availability. If you have any questions about studying, please call +49 351 463 42000 or email the ServiceCenterStudies .

We will answer your questions or forward them to colleagues from the specialist departments. The TU Dresden, together with the Studentenwerk, offers its employees and students psychosocial, medical and organizational advice and support. For students: You can arrange a personal or telephone consultation by email. Please briefly describe your request and we will respond promptly with an appointment.

The TU Dresden Career Service will be offering a digital semester program from May.

The Studentenwerk Dresden offers advice, by phone, e-mail and  in person, on various topics related to your studies. Please find out about current office hours on the Studentenwerk website.

Semester of leave of absence

Pregnant women and students with children can apply to the Admissions Office for leave of absence from their studies for the period of maternity leave or the statutory parental leave. In accordance with the Federal Law on Parental Benefits and Parental Leave (BEEG), the Act on the Autonomy of Institutions of Higher Education in the Free State of Saxony (SächsHSFG)  provides students with a total of six additional semesters of leave for childcare during the first three years of the child’s life.

Students can find out what other options are currently available in the FAQ’s under the menu item “Enrolment and Re-registration”.
https://tu-dresden.de/studium/im-studium/coronavirus#section-2-1

Part-time courses

At TU Dresden, it is currently possible to pursue part-time courses in all distance learning degree programs, as well as in many direct programs.
https://tu-dresden.de/studium/vor-dem-studium/studienangebot/teilzeit-und-fernstudium

Organisation of the 2020/2021 winter semester

On August 11, 2020, TU Dresden agreed on principles for the organization of the 2020/2021 winter semester.
https://tu-dresden.de/studium/im-studium/ressourcen/dateien/corona_imstudium/organisation-wintersemester-2020-21.pdf?lang=de

The Vice-Rector Academic Affairs has issued regulations for the examinations in the 2020/2021 winter semester (November 23, 2020)
https://tu-dresden.de/studium/im-studium/ressourcen/dateien/corona_imstudium/2020_11_23_Festlegungen_fur_den_Prufungsbetrieb_WS2022021.pdf?lang=de

The university-wide regulations for studies and examination procedures to curtail the legal uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 crisis, (fundamental resolutions of the Senate on April 29, 2020) apply from October 26th, 2020. 
https://tu-dresden.de/studium/im-studium/ressourcen/dateien/corona_imstudium/2020-10-14_Beschluss-Senat_zu_TOP-I-13.pdf?lang=de

In these exceptional times, if you are a student with responsibilities to your family, you can be sure of the understanding of your lecturers / module supervisors if you have not been able to complete some of the assignments in the given time. Therefore, do not hesitate to be candid about the challenges you are currently facing and jointly work out individual solutions that are suitable for both sides. If you require assistance in finding a solution, you can also contact the Campusbüro Uni mit Kind or Unit 9.3 Diversity Management, Coordinator for Family-Friendliness at TU Dresden.

Extended compensation for disadvantages

Independent of the coronavirus pandemic, the extended compensation for disadvantages - if this is anchored in the relevant examination regulations - can be applied for by contacting the Chairperson of the Examination Board.

§5 para. 4 of the Model Examination Regulations of TUD - Types of Graded Academic Work stipulates the following:

If the student can credibly demonstrate that they are not able to complete graded academic work according to schedule due to the caring for their own children (up to the age of 14), the Chairperson of the Examination Board shall allow the student to complete the work in an equivalent manner upon request. The Chairperson of the Examination Committee decides how the graded academic work is to be produced in consultation with the responsible examiner at their own discretion. The Chairperson of the Examination Committee decided on an appropriate measure to compensate for the disadvantages. Suitable measures to compensate for the disadvantages are, for example, extended time allowance, extended breaks, use of other media, use of other examination rooms within the university or another examination date. The same applies to preliminary graded work.

Further contact persons are the Examination Offices, the Equal Opportunities Officers of the faculties and the Faculty Students’ Councils. The Campusbüro Uni mit Kind will also be happy to support you in making use of the extended compensation for disadvantages.
https://tu-dresden.de/intern/studium-und-lehre/ressourcen/dateien/studiengangsangelegenheiten/doks/arbeitshilfen/MBPO63.pdf?lang=de

Maternity leave

The Model Examination Regulations of TU Dresden (cf. §3 para. 4 Model Examination Regulations - Deadlines and Dates) stipulate the following for deadlines in connection with the completion of the graduation examination:

The maternity leave period does not count towards overall time restriction and is therefore, the not taken into account. Regarding the claim for parental leave, please refer to §12 para. 2 of the Enrolment Regulations of Technische Universität Dresden.

It does not correspond to the option of extended time allowance in connection with the compensation of disadvantages as described above.
https://tu-dresden.de/intern/studium-und-lehre/ressourcen/dateien/studiengangsangelegenheiten/doks/arbeitshilfen/MBPO63.pdf?lang=de

Municipal childcare

Schools, boarding schools, and childcare facilities will be closed until and including February 7, 2021, with the exception of emergency care that may be provided under the conditions set forth in para. 2 to 4 of the currently valid Corona Protection Ordinance. The Saxon Cabinet passed a corresponding Corona Protection Ordinance on January 8, 2021.
https://www.coronavirus.sachsen.de/download/SMS-Saechsische-Corona-Schutz-Verordnung-2021-01-08.pdf

The list of occupational groups entitled to municipal emergency childcare is specified in Annexes 1 and 2 of the currently valid Saxon Corona Protection Ordinance. As a general rule, the entitlement to emergency care must always be claimed in the day-care center in which the children are normally taken care of. Therefore, please contact your children's day-care centers or schools directly. 
https://www.coronavirus.sachsen.de/download/SMS-Saechsische-Corona-Schutz-Verordnung-2021-01-08-Anlage1-2.pdf

Flexible Childcare for Students with Child(ren)

During the Corona pandemic, students with child(ren) also have the opportunity to take advantage of TUD's flexible childcare service on an hourly basis (e.g. while taking exams) from January to March 2021. The childcare is provided in cooperation with the agency Wirbelwind. 
https://tu-dresden.de/flexible-kinderbetreuung

Campusnest of the Students’ Union (Studentenwerk) Dresden

Since the Campusnest is subject to the regulations for childcare, it is closed until February 7, 2021.
https://www.studentenwerk-dresden.de/soziales/campusnest.html

Private babysitter

If you are not entitled to emergency care, you can contact private babysitting agencies to find out whether they can assist you with childcare and under what conditions this is possible.

Children's sick days (Kinderkrankentage)

If their child is sick, parents may stay at home and care for them. The following rule used to apply: Parents get a total of 20 paid sick days when both are raising the child (each parent gets ten), and single parents get a total of 20 - covering all children under the age of 12.

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the number of children's sick days has already been increased in 2020. This regulation has now been extended for the year 2021. This means that children's sick days can be used not only when a sick child needs to be cared for at home, but also when school or daycare centers are closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
https://www.familie.de/kleinkind/gesundheit/mehr-kind-krank-tage-auch-2021-wegen-corona-alle-rechte-und-pflichten-fuer-uns-eltern/

Students with familial responsibilities are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic even beyond the digital start of the semester and the limited on-site teaching activities. For example, part-time jobs at major events or in the hospitality industry are no longer available. Instead, many questions arise: Are students entitled to unemployment or housing benefits? Does the postponed start of the semester have an effect on BAföG funding? Do the economic implications of the coronavirus crisis have an impact on child alimony payments? Questions like these will be answered by the Campusbüro Uni mit Kind family service centre, a cooperation between TU Dresden and the Student’s Union (Studentenwerk) Dresden, and by the Social Counselling Services of the Student’s Union Dresden.

Standard period of study and BAföG

On December 16, 2020, the Saxon state parliament passed the Education Strengthening Act (Bildungsstärkungsgesetz) and, at the same time, amended the Act on the Autonomy of Institutions of Higher Education in the Free State of Saxony (Hochschulfreiheitsgesetz) in a significant point.

In concrete terms, this means that the extension of the individual standard period of study by the period of the 2020 summer semester and the currently running winter semester due to the coronavirus pandemic has been approved. As a result, students have legal certainty that they will not suffer any disadvantages due to the coronavirus pandemic when receiving benefits for their studies under the German Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG).
https://www.medienservice.sachsen.de/medien/news/244412

Informationen

Parental allowance

The extraordinary situation caused by the novel coronavirus represents a particular hardship. Temporary adaptations are planned so that parents do not suffer any disadvantages in terms of parental benefits as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
 https://www.bmfsfj.de/bmfsfj/themen/corona-pandemie/finanzielle-unterstuetzung/faq-elterngeld-anpassung/fragen-und-antworten-zu-den-aenderungen-beim-elterngeld/154926

Child benefit supplement (Kinderzuschlag)

If the income is not sufficient for the whole family, parents or custodians can receive the child benefit supplement (Kinderzuschlag) in addition to the child benefit allowance. https://www.arbeitsagentur.de/familie-und-kinder/kinderzuschlag-anspruch-hoehe-dauer

Amount of financial help

In order to take the special situation of single parents into account, the amount of financial help, regulated in § 24 b of the German Income Tax Act (EStG), will be increased from the current 1908 euros to 4008 euros for the years 2020 and 2021.
https://www.bmfsfj.de/bmfsfj/themen/corona-pandemie/finanzielle-unterstuetzung/faq-entlastungsbetrag-alleinerziehende-einkommmenssteuer

Help for students in need

Coronavirus relief fund of the Association of Friends and Sponsors of TU Dresden (GFF)
As of now, TU Dresden students who are in financial difficulties due to the coronavirus pandemic can once again apply for emergency aid from the coronavirus relief fund. Students who can prove that they are in an emergency situation as a result of the restrictions can receive a one-off payment of up to 450 euros.
https://tu-dresden.de/tu-dresden/profil/freunde-foerderer/gff/foerderung/antraege-fuer-die-corona-hilfsfonds

Loans granted by the KfW Development Bank (KfW) for German and

international students who have fallen into financial difficulties because of the coronavirus

 https://www.kfw.de/inlandsfoerderung/Privatpersonen/Studieren-Qualifizieren/Studium-finanzieren/?kfwmc=vt.sea.google.SEA_VT_Studienkredit_Allgemein_BK.{Anzeigengruppe}.{Anzeige}&wt_cc1=bildung&wt_cc2=pri|studieren-qualifizieren&wt_cc3=82025713368_kwd-311285257835_433623776525&wt_kw=b_82025713368_%2Bkfw%20%2Bkredit%20%2Bstudium

BMBF financial assistance (Überbrückungshilfe)

Students in emergencies caused by the pandemic can once again apply for financial assistance from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) during the period from November 20, 2020 to March 31, 2021. https://www.überbrückungshilfe-studierende.de/start

Emergency aid of the Students’ Union (Studentenwerk) Dresden

Should you find yourself in a temporary emergency situation during your studies for which you are not responsible, the social counselling service of the Student’s Union Dresden will try to help you.
https://www.studentenwerk-dresden.de/soziales/notlagen.html

Guide to Coronavirus Help of the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (BMAS)

The Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs provides a schematic overview that provides orientation on the assistance available during the coronavirus crisis. The guide also provides links to the institutions which provide this assistance.
https://www.bmas.de/DE/Schwerpunkte/Informationen-Corona/lotse-fuer-corona-hilfen.html

Studying/working at home and caring for my child(ren)

Reconciling study, work and childcare is sometimes a difficult balancing act to achieve. The following are just a few ideas on how this can be done a little better.

Tip #1: Planning, planning, planning 

Planning, planning, planning  Tip #1:

Plan an agenda for each day, plan it thoroughly and record the individual stages in a timetable. Involve older children in the planning and place the timetable where everyone can see it. A notice board in the kitchen, for example, would be a good idea.

Tip #2: Define both shared and separate periods

Define both shared and separate periods Tip #2:

Split the time available into periods that you spend together and periods that your children spend independently. In addition to breakfast, lunch, and dinner together, plan activities that involve physical activity, such as a walk.

Tip #3: Use the morning and the evening

Use the morning and the evening Tip #3:

Use the time early in the morning and later in the evening, when your children are sleeping, for concentrated work. 

Tip #4: Starting the working day together

Starting the working day together Tip #4:

Create a fixed ritual with which you start your first learning or work phase together in the morning. It will help you to switch to another mode without changing location.

Tip #5: Create a defined workspace

Create a defined workspace Tip #5:

If possible, set up a separate area where you can work undisturbed. A spatial separation from the areas where your children work alone is usually very helpful.

Tip #6: Split childcare

Split childcare Tip #6:

Are both parents at home? Then take turns interacting with your children. A room arrangement often helps: Both parents work in different rooms, for example in the living room and the study. The person who works in the living room can be contacted by the children. The one in the study remains undisturbed. Over the day, you simply change rooms to take turn.
https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/themen/coronavirus/wie-eltern-ihren-kindern-jetzt-helfen-koennen-1730182

Learning at home

The Saxon State Ministry for Higher Education, Research and the Arts compiled the most important questions and answers for learning at home.
LINK: https://www.bildung.sachsen.de/blog/index.php/2020/03/30/lernen-zu-hause-die-wichtigsten-fragen-und-antworten-im-ueberblick/

Explaining the coronavirus to my child(ren)

Even if your child is too young to understand the situation, you cannot shield them from the omnipresent topic. Help your child to get used to the current situation by providing clear and age-appropriate information. 
https://jugendinfoservice.dresden.de/de/elternweb/faq-familien-corona.php

Ideas to occupy my children

The schools and daycare centers are still closed (except for the emergency care), and meet-ups with other children outside their homes are restricted. In order to make everyday life with children playful and varied, a lot of creativity is needed. You will find a selection of activity suggestions here: https://jugendinfoservice.dresden.de/de/elternweb/faq-familien-corona.php

In order to bring movement and exercise into your home, ALBA BERLIN’s online program "Sports is fun" offers two digital school lessons (day-care and school) every Saturday for all children and young people - to watch and participate in. https://www.albaberlin.de/news/details/reaktion-auf-coronavirus-albas-taegliche-digitale-sportstunde-fuer-kinder-und-jugendliche/

Counselling and service institutions of TU Dresden

Should you need advice on how to reconcile work/study and family life, there are various counseling and service institutions available at TU Dresden.
https://tu-dresden.de/studium/im-studium/coronavirus#section-2-9

The family service center Campusbüro Uni mit Kind is a cooperation between TU Dresden and Studentenwerk Dresden and is happy to answer your questions and provide you with advice.
https://kinder.studentenwerk-dresden.de/

Counselling and service institutions of the Students’ Union (Studentenwerk) Dresden

The Studentenwerk Dresden offers counseling services via telephone, email, and in some cases in person on a variety of topics related to studying.  https://www.studentenwerk-dresden.de/soziales/kontakt.html

The Studentenwerk Dresden also provides counseling services specifically on the topic of studying with a child.
https://www.studentenwerk-dresden.de/soziales/kind.html

Counselling offers of the Dresden Youth Welfare Office

The coronavirus situation is a challenge for all walks of life, especially for families, children and young people. If contact with peers and friends is lacking, if the family structure is under great pressure due to the problems providing care, and because movement restrictions to protect against infection, tension and conflict can arise. In order to be able to provide advice and support, the Youth Welfare Office has set up a counselling hotline. https://jugendinfoservice.dresden.de/de/elternweb/faq-familien-corona.php

Up-to-date information on the opening hours of refectories and cafeterias can be found on the website of the  Student Union (Studentenwerk Dresden).

The following tools and digital environments will be available for digital teaching in the 2020/2021 winter semester (https://tu-dresden.de/tu-dresden/organisation/rektorat/prorektor-bildung/zill/e-learning/corona/tooluebersicht). Please note in particular that the video platform MAGMA will be replaced by the new cross-university platform Videocampus Sachsen (VCS), which will be available as of 1^st October 2020.

Learning management system

• Learning platform OPAL (synchronous and asynchronous learning scenarios, student communication, management of learning outcomes, provision of materials, etc.) 

Provision and exchange of files

• Learning platform OPAL
• Cloud store (cloud-based memory)

Video conferencing tools (for synchronous teaching, examination and communication)

• BigBlueButton
• DFN Adobe Connect
• GoToMeeting
• Jitsi
• Pexip/DFNconf (especially for streaming)
• Zoom

Provision of videos/audios

• Videocampus Sachsen (VCS), replacement of Magma as of 1^st October 2020

Monitoring of the learning progress (e-assessment) and examinations

• learning platform OPAL with assignment and test modules (via test suite ONYX)
• separate examination platform OPAL Exam@TUD

Live surveys

• Invote

Synchronous collaboration

• Chat service Matrix (currently until 31^st December 2020)
• Sharepoint

Support on the individual tools, possible applications as well as further training and advice on this topic is available at the ZiLL (the ZiLL prepared initial Recommendations for the design and set-up of online teaching) and at the ZIH by the E-Learning-Support. Information on this topic can be found on the corona websites regarding E-Learning (https://tu-dresden.de/tu-dresden/organisation/rektorat/prorektor-bildung/zill/e-learning/corona/tooluebersicht).

Please also use the continuing education and counselling services of the Centre for Continuing Education (ZfW), e.g. online guidance on higher education and media didactics, online continuing education on Open Educational Resources (OER) in digital university teaching, online guidance and continuing education on tutorial teaching (https://tu-dresden.de/karriere/weiterbildung/wissenschaftliches-personal/index).

The legal bases for you as a teacher are §60a and §60c of the UrhG (German copyright law). You may reproduce and distribute up to 15 percent of a work for the purpose of non-commercial scientific research in compliance with the statutory provisions and make it accessible to a limited group of users. This overview shows which materials can be made electronically available for university courses. The legal bases for us as a library are §60b and §60e of the UrhG. Libraries may reproduce up to 10 percent of a published work as well as individual articles that have appeared in specialist or scientific journals for individual orders requested by users for non-commercial purposes.

If you need media and literature for your online courses that are only available in printed or physical form in the SLUB's collection, the SLUB would be happy to help you put together a digital course reserve collection.

If you upload files to OPAL, please pay attention to the following points:

• The OPAL course is password-protected and is only accessible to a limited number of students
• To the extent permitted, the files are only available for the academic work of the students for that semester.
• Students are advised that the transfer of files to third parties is not permitted; the copies are only to be used for their own private and academic work
• The files will be removed from the OPAL course after the allotted time has expired.

In order to facilitate your research in times of Corona, some publishers and database providers have extended access to their offers. You can find an overview of the extended range of electronic resources here.

If you need media and literature for your online courses that are only available in printed or physical form in the SLUB's collection, the SLUB would be happy to help you put together a digital course reserve collection:

• Send the SLUB information on the literature that you need in advance. This includes literature that is not yet available in the online campus network and materials that you want to make accessible on OPAL (password protected) this semester (please point out the 3 most important sources that your students will promptly need as first sources and which should be included in the first document delivery. With the large number of modules in the TU Dresden, such a ranking is necessary for capacity reasons).
   
• The SLUB will convert your required materials into PDF files, as long as copyright laws allow it, and you can then make these materials directly and therefore in one central place available to the students via OPAL (with this procedure, we can avoid multiple orders of identical materials being sent to #SLUB_on_Demand and save time for the provision of other content).
   
• The legal bases for you as a teacher are §60a and §60c of the UrhG (German copyright law). You may reproduce and distribute up to 15 percent of a work for the purpose of non-commercial scientific research in compliance with the statutory provisions and make it accessible to a limited group of users. This overview shows which materials can be made electronically available for university courses.
   
• The legal bases for us as a library are §60b and §60e of the UrhG. Libraries may reproduce up to 10 percent of a published work as well as individual articles that have appeared in specialist or scientific journals for individual orders requested by users for non-commercial purposes.

If you upload files to OPAL, please pay attention to the following points:

• The OPAL course is password-protected and is only accessible to a limited number of students
• To the extent permitted, the files are only available for the academic work of the students for that semester.
• Students are advised that the transfer of files to third parties is not permitted; the copies are only to be used for their own private and academic work
• The files will be removed from the OPAL course after the allotted time has expired.

The officers for students with disabilities and chronic diseases have developed tips for barrier-free teaching, in particular with references to video conferences and BigBlueButton.

Please note the following instructions for video and audio recordings of courses.