Detailed
information about the rules on the campus of the University of St.Gallen
and the modalities of the individual courses in the Assessment Year
will be provided during the StartWeek (07-11 September 2020).
Mandatory wearing of masks
As a precautionary measure, masks shall be worn from Monday, 31 August 2020, until Saturday, 24 October 2020 (start of semester break) in all public/free access areas of the HSG buildings for the Autumn Semester. This applies to all persons when moving from one place to another. As soon as they have arrived at their destination (place of study, workplace, lunch etc.), the mask can be removed. The mandatory mask also applies to short distances such as the way to the toilet. Please note: The mask is mandatory and does not replace the distance rule.
Persons staying on campus and in university buildings, including offices, must be equipped with a protective mask that complies with official recommendations. In consideration of epidemiological developments (number of cases, local conditions, seasonal influenza, etc.), the University reserves the right to impose a general obligation to wear masks, depending on the situation and on a temporary basis.
Distance
A distance of at least 1.5 metres must, whenever possible, be maintained between people. The furnishings in the lecture rooms and work rooms are arranged accordingly, and any changes to the furniture arrangements must follow these conditions. If there are exceptional cases where in-person activities do not allow for the maintenance of a 1.5-metre distance for a cumulative period of more than 15 minutes (lectures, work situations, sports activities), then a) protective masksmust be worn. If in duly justified cases exceptions are being made, b) personal data (surname, first name, place of residence, e-mail, telephone) must be collected for tracing purposes in the form of attendance lists (for standing events) or seating lists (for seated events).
Teaching in the autumn semester 2020
To ensure that the hygiene and social distancing rules can be observed, the maximum capacity of each lecture room is currently assumed to be half of the regular capacity. Teaching in the autumn semester 2020 will therefore take place in a hybrid form. Depending on the course, teaching will take place both in attendance and online or only online.
Within the framework of the didactic concepts of the individual courses, it is ensured that students who will not be able to access the campus due to health or regulatory restrictions will be able to complete the courses digitally in a suitable form.
1. In which formats are the courses offered?
Teaching in the autumn semester 2020 will therefore take place in a hybrid form. Depending on the course, teaching will take place both in attendance and online or only online.
For example, lectures in the core subjects (Business Administration, Economics and Law I) and core electives (Mathematics and Law II) are mostly held online and can be followed from home. Exercises in these subjects will take place on campus in face-to-face classes.
As a result of the applicable hygiene and social distancing rules, the lecture rooms have reduced capacity, which means that students have to be divided into groups in some cases in order to participate in face-to-face classes. The corresponding groupings can be viewed on StudyNet before the start of the studies.
2. How can students attend classes if they enter Switzerland from a country or area with an increased risk of infection?
In case you are entering Switzerland from a country with an increased risk of infection, you need to stay in quarantine. The current list of the FOPH of countries and regions with a mandatory quarantine after entering Switzerland, can be found here. If you enter Switzerland from one of those countries, you must inform the respective cantonal authority. For that you can use one of the following links: St.Gallen, other canton.
Within the framework of the didactic concepts of the individual courses, it is ensured that students who will not be able to access the campus due to health or regulatory restrictions will be able to complete the courses digitally in a suitable form.
3. What rules apply on campus? What precautions are taken by the university?
Personal responsibility: At its core, the safety measures rely on the responsible action of each and everyone of us.
Hygiene and safety: The general hygiene and safety recommendations of the federal and/or cantonal governments must be observed.
Symptoms of illness: People with symptoms of illness must always stay at home and are encouraged to seek medical advice and assistance by telephone.
Tracing: The University of St.Gallen recommends that all of its members use the Swiss government's official COVID-19 app. All attendance lists must be filled out completely and accurately. If a person tests positive, then a higher degree of accuracy in reconstructing their activities means that fewer people will have to quarantine.
Members of high-risk groups: These persons must be and will be accorded special protection. Those affected are asked to find workable individual solutions for study and consult with the Dean’s Advisory Office.
4. Is a mask mandatory on campus or in lectures?
As a precautionary measure, masks shall be worn from Monday, 31 August 2020, until Saturday, 24 October 2020 (start of semester break) in all public/free access areas of the HSG buildings for the autumn semester. This applies to all persons when moving from one place to another. As soon as they have arrived at their destination (place of study, workplace, lunch etc.), the mask can be removed. The mandatory mask also applies to short distances such as the way to the toilet. (Please note: The mask is mandatory and does not replace the distance rule.)
The current regulations stipulate that protective masks are used in lectures only in exceptional cases. If there are exceptional cases where in-person activities do not allow for the maintenance of a 1.5-metre distance for a cumulative period of more than 15 minutes (lectures, work situations, sports activities), then protective masks must be worn.
If in duly justified cases exceptions are being made, b) personal data (surname, first name, place of residence, e-mail, telephone) must be collected for tracing purposes in the form of attendance lists (for standing events) or seating lists (for seated events). All lists must be filled out completely and accurately.
5. Can students already look for an apartment in SG?
Due to the fact that certain courses will take place in presence classes, we recommend all foreign students to look for an apartment in St.Gallen or in the St.Gallen region.
6. What happens to the study place if a student cannot enter?
The didactic concepts of the individual courses ensure that students who will not be able to enter the campus due to health or regulatory restrictions will be able to complete the courses digitally in a suitable form.