Prof. Anja Geigenmüller: "Our campus should once again be the central study location. In this way, we want to make it easier for first-year students to arrive in the university environment and to establish contacts with other students. All students and lecturers should be able to exchange ideas in face-to-face events and meet each other on the university campus, in the library, at university sports or other events. Because university is so much more than just attending lectures." Therefore, the TU Ilmenau attaches great importance to the fact that cultural and sporting events are also possible again in presence. Thus, the numerous student clubs on campus are to become active again. "Personal encounters, the togetherness of teachers and students, actual community - all this is needed for a functioning university," says Anja Geigenmüller.
Support from the Studierendenwerk Thüringen
The Studierendenwerk Thüringen has also made important arrangements for a safe winter semester on campus. Prospective students are guaranteed to find housing, whether on campus or in the nearby city. Applications for dormitory places can be made online at any time on the Studierendenwerk website. Strict hygiene concepts apply to the dining halls and cafeterias. For example, all guests must register at the entrance via QR code, except for taking food, they must wear a mask at all times and payment is only possible without cash. Tenants of the student housing complexes are informed about current Corona regulations in notices, circulars and on the Studierendenwerk website. Frequently asked questions about Corona are answered on the page www.stw-thueringen.de/faq-coronavirus answered.
Central Student Advisory Service and we4you-Service for international and german students
And if things get difficult, the University offers its students an extensive on-site advisory network, whether it is a matter of subject-related or personal questions. Since studying under Corona conditions poses special challenges for students, the Central Student Advisory service and the we4you Servicefor international and german Students answer questions about corona every wednesday at 7 pm. In addition to the university's regular counselling and support services, staff members are on hand to help students with their uncertainties, direct them to the right places and offer them support, for example, also in applying for vaccination appointments.
The Studierendenwerk also supports students with personal problems. Students with financial difficulties can receive short-term support within the framework of the bridging aid from the federal government and the corona financial aid from the state of Thuringia(https://www.stw-thueringen.de/finanzen/hilfen-in-coronazeiten.html) and first-year students can apply for support within the framework of the "StudiumThüringenPlus" program.. In addition, the psychosocial counselling service for students is to be expanded for the winter semester.
Further information on beginning studies under corona conditions can be found here.
