Welcome to Hochschule Geisenheim University!
In morning mist the world rests,
Woods and fields go on dreaming:
Soon you will see when the veil falls,
The blue heaven in all its splendor,
The subdued world in bold autumn colors,
Streaming forth in molten gold.
(“Septembermorgen” by Eduard Mörike; Translation: Charles L. Cingolani)
Dear students,
With this beautiful description of a golden day in fall, originally written by the German poet Eduard Mörike, I would like to welcome you to the winter semester 2022/23. In the Rheingau region, we are surrounded by the beauty of fall when the grapes are being harvested and the vineyards light up in a red, yellow and orange glow. And after the extreme summer heat, even some rainy days with lower temperatures might not be too bad after all.
We are about to start a new academic year which, hopefully, provides lots of opportunities for you to broaden your horizons, gain new experience and improve your skills. As lecturers we are very much looking forward to a vivid exchange with you.
General planning for the winter semester 2022/23
Just as fall changes the landscape, the face of our campus is changing as well. Due to the progress of the construction work, we are getting a better idea of how our campus will look like in the future. But inevitably, the ongoing reconstruction will also involve noise, dirt and closed routes on campus in the winter semester. In addition, we cannot say for sure how much we will be affected by the energy crisis. In terms of sustainability, however, energy-saving measures will continue to be on our agenda irrespective of the current situation. Maybe we will also have to reintroduce measures to combat the spread of COVID-19. In this context, we can draw on our experience from the previous semesters and will notify you in advance. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our timetable planning staff: As always, the team has tried to make the timetables as efficient as possible despite all restrictions.
And don’t forget to stop by the cafeteria when you are on campus: Sébastian Loison and his team are looking forward to you with a nice range of traditional and new dishes.
More information
If you have any questions, please contact your teachers, the head of your degree program, the Examination Committees or the Study Organization & Examinations Office. In addition, we also offer the following support services:
- Student Information Center in the Müller-Thurgau-Haus
- General Study Advice Service
- Psychological Counselling
- HGU’s corona website with corona FAQs
- Information on energy saving at HGU
- AStA Student Representation
Have a great start and a successful winter semester.
Best wishes
Prof. Dr. Alexander von Birgelen
Vice-President of Academic & Student Affairs
Dealing with Suspected and Confirmed Corona Infections, Entry/Return from High-Risk Areas
A summary of all entry and travel restrictions can be found here: www.zusammengegencorona.de/informieren/alltag-und-reisen/reisen/
The website provides information on:
- obligation to undergo COVID testing when entering the country
- designation of risk areas/high-risk areas
- digital registration on entry
- exemptions for vaccinated travellers
Before arrival, please read the latest information on the current classification of the area from which you enter. The latest classification is available on the webpage of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI)
Please note that your vaccination certificate will only be accepted if you have been fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved in the EU. The officially approved vaccines are listed on the Paul Ehrlich Institute (PEI) website.
It is expected that no trips to countries outside Germany will be undertaken if the Federal Government has classified the country as a high-risk area and it is not urgently necessary.
If you have questions, please contact International(at)hs-gm.de.
Information about federal regulations on mandatory Corona tests for people entering the country::
https://www.bundesgesundheitsministerium.de/service/gesetze-und-verordnungen/guv-19-lp/coronaeinreisev.html
Federal government information for travelers and commuters:
https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/themen/coronavirus/faq-reisen-1735032
The current German Foreign Office travel warnings:
https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/ReiseUndSicherheit/reise-und-sicherheitshinweise
Important information provided by the Robert Koch Institute and recommended action for people entering Germany:
https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/InfAZ/N/Neuartiges_Coronavirus/Transport/BMG_Merkblatt_Reisende_Tab.html
Information on the designation of international risk areas by the Federal Foreign Office, BMG and BMI
https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/InfAZ/N/Neuartiges_Coronavirus/Risikogebiete_neu.html
Study and Teaching
Rules and regulations for the winter semester 2022/23:
- Seating plans no longer ensure a distance of at least 1.5m between the seats
- Hygiene regulations of the RKI must be followed (sneeze etiquette, hand hygiene)
- Rooms without automatic ventilation systems have to be aired several times a day or after each group of students for at least 3 minutes.
- Individuals who have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 are not allowed to enter university premises. Legal provisions on the duration of quarantine apply.
- Irrespective of the official quarantine period after a Covid-19 infection (currently 5 days), access to the university after an infection is only permitted with a negative test result (official rapid test or self test). Staff members have to present the test result to Occupational Safety (Dr. Rose, Ms. Schmidt-Weis). Students have to contact the Admissions Office.
Feel free to contact us for any questions and problems concerning your studies, and we will try our best to help you. Please note that consultations on campus take place in exceptional cases only and in strict compliance with hygiene regulations (Hygiene Guidelines for Meetings in MTH). In addition, we are happy to provide advice online or on the phone. Please make an appointment with your contact person.
Hochschule Geisenheim University
- Study Advice: https://www.hs-geisenheim.de/studium/studierende/service-und-unterstuetzungsangebote/allgemeine-studienberatung/
- Study Organization: https://www.hs-geisenheim.de/studium/studierende/pruefungsangelegenheiten-und-studienorganisation/
- Other Contact Persons: https://www.hs-geisenheim.de/persoenliche-beratung/
- Digital Learning - Any Place Any Time! https://www.hs-geisenheim.de/studium/studierende/elearning/
- Psychological Support: https://www.hs-geisenheim.de/studium/studierende/service-und-unterstuetzungsangebote/psychologische-beratungsstelle/
AStA
- Accomodation: AStA apartment exchange https://www.facebook.com/groups/992437727457169/
- Meeting fellow students / becoming a mentee: https://www.hs-geisenheim.de/studium/studierende/studierendenvertretung/asta/
General Support
- Studentenwerk Frankfurt provides advice and support on study financing, as well as welfare advice and psychological counselling: https://www.studentenwerkfrankfurt.de/beratung-service/beratungszentrum
- Telephone Counselling: 0800-111 0 111, 0800-111 0 222 or www.telefonseelsorge.de – also via chat or e-mail.
- Domestic violence helpline: get free and anonymous support by calling: 08000-116 016 or go to www.hilfetelefon.de – also via chat or e-mail.
Detailed information on semester and exam dates are available here.
Events such as lab exercises, excursions, etc., in which attendance is a mandatory prerequisite for achieving the learning objectives, e.g. due to the use of equipment on site, can be carried out in accordance with the hygiene concepts.
For excursions, the usual approval procedure must still be followed (your lecturer will inform you).
If necessary, the examination boards can determine alternative forms for corresponding study components.
For detailed information about your exam dates, please go to the website of the Examinations Office: https://www.hs-geisenheim.de/en/studies/students/examination-administration/ -> Specific information about your degree program. Please note that, due to external developments, there may be changes in our planning so please check the website of the Study Organization & Examinations Office regularly as it provides the most up-to-date information relevant for all students during the exam period.
Important information on final examination attempts – free attempt regulation has expired:
The “Regulation to address the impacts of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in higher education” has expired, i.e. there are no more COVID-related free examination attempts.
If you do not pass an exam at the final attempt, it will be entered as “failed” (grade 5.0) in QIS.
Absence from an exam due to illness:
For detailed information, please go to:
https://www.hs-geisenheim.de/en/studies/students/examination-administration/ -> General Information -> Examinations (registrations, notification in case of illness, attempted cheating)
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact your degree program administrator.
Oral Examinations / Video Conferences
- In general, oral examinations are possible if hygiene concepts are adhered to.
- The Examination Committee may approve special forms of examinations in the summer semester 2022, for example video conferences. In case of video conferences, it must be ensured, among other things, that all participants agree to this form of examination, that the identity of the examinees can be established by means of an identification card, that they alone in the room and that no aids other than those permissible are used.
- If examiners or students belong to a risk group or cannot be present due other significant reasons, there is the possibility (if approved by the relevant Examination Committee) to conduct the oral examination as a video conference. It must be ensured that all parties involved agree to this form of examination, that the video conference is managed by the examiner(s) and conducted using a secure service, that the identity of the examinee can be established by video image and showing an official identification document, that he/she is alone in the room and no unauthorized aids are used, and that an examination protocol is drawn up in the usual manner. The explanation of the examination evaluation to the examinee is given orally during the video conference. If the candidate fails, he/she confirms orally that the evaluation has been explained to him/her. In the event that the examination has to be cancelled for technical reasons, the examination is considered not taken. This is determined by the examiner or the Head of the Examination Committee. If this procedure is not wanted, the examination may have to be postponed to a later date.
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The Internship and Vocational Semester (BPS) Advisors are happy to help you with any questions regarding BPS.
Please contact them if you need assistance or your BPS must be postponed or split. We know that companies can only offer internships or vocational semesters under difficult circumstances. Please stay in touch with us to find individual solutions.
- Dipl.-Ing. Martin Bahmann – Horticulture
- Dipl.-Ing. Andreas Binzel – Beverage Technology/ Viticulture and Enology
- Dipl.-Ing. Wilma Mattmüller-Schultz – International Wine Business (German Program)
- Manuela Ortner, M.A. – International Wine Business (English Program)
- Julia Brunck, M.Sc. – Food Chain Management/Logistics and Management of Fresh Products
- Landscape Architecture students may contact a lecturer of their choice.
- Stays abroad are generally possible. The current pandemic can lead to short-term changes however, and it is therefore strongly recommended that, before beginning a stay abroad, you should inform yourself about the entry and residence conditions of the respective host country as well as the requirements and general conditions of the host institution.
- Staff members should also inform themselves about the university's guidelines on business trips.
- Furthermore, we recommend that you regularly check the websites of the Foreign Office and the host institution for information.
- Students who are required to complete mandatory stays abroad should contact the respective examination committee.
- Postponing the stay is possible in most cases. Whether an approved scholarship has to be repaid in case of early termination or non-appearance has to be checked in each individual case or depends on the requirements of the respective scholarship provider.
- If you have successfully applied for an exchange place, you can use the online services of the host university. In many cases, it is also possible to combine classroom and online teaching and can be financially supported.
- If you have any questions, the International Office team will be happy to help you.
For an overview of our opening hours and current access regulations please go to the library's website: https://www.hs-geisenheim.de/en/university/central-services/library/
Hygiene and Protection Measures
In buildings and also on campus, it is important to ensure that people have as little direct contact with each other as possible or that their contact is reduced to a minimum. Contact in rooms of the university, during breaks or other activities is to be kept to a minimum. Physical contact, such as shaking hands is to be avoided.
Wearing a mouth and nose covering is recommended in publicly accessible areas. However, wearing a mask is not required in areas which cannot be accessed by the public, e.g. office spaces, if a minimum distance of 1.5 m to other people can be respected. The recommendation also applies to visitors, so please pass on this information.
Teaching staff may remove the mask while teaching.
It is recommended, if possible, to take off the mask after 3 hours (75 minutes in case of FFP2 masks), ideally for a period of at least 30 minutes.
In order to protect against infection, interiors should be supplied with as much fresh air as possible. This is one of the most effective methods of removing potentially viral aerosols from indoor spaces.
Fresh air ventilation
The simplest form of ventilation is window ventilation. Impact ventilation, where windows are opened fully, must take place before or at the beginning of the event and then at regular intervals. A ventilation period of 3 to 10 minutes is recommended. Even more effective (if possible) is cross-ventilation via opposite windows.
The time interval for ventilation depends on the size of the room, the number of people, activities (normal speaking or e.g. choir singing) and the available window area. The SARS-CoV-2 occupational safety rule of the BMAS recommends ventilation after 60 minutes for offices and after 20 minutes for meeting rooms.
Contact
Please contact Occupational Safety and Healthcare Management immediately if you have tested positive for COVID-19
If a member of your household or a close contact has tested positive, please call or send an email to Corona(at)hs-gm.de to discuss the next steps. Please do not access the campus before the issue has been discussed.
Corona(at)hs-gm.de / +49 6722 502 285
(Occupational Safety & Healthcare Management))
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