Coronavirus: FAQ for Students
General Information
Suspension of face-to-face-teaching
As a reaction to the increasing spread of the corona virus (SARS-CoV-2), the summer semester 2020 began on 16 March as usual, but for the time being there will be no classroom teaching at least until 4 May 2020. With the start of the emergency presence operation at the HNEE on 24 March 2020, all publicly accessible buildings of the HNEE such as the library, PC pools and other rooms will be closed.
During this phase there will also be no events at the HNEE. Study consultations will no longer be offered in person, but only by telephone or e-mail.
In the interest of its students, the HNEE is making efforts to implement online formats as a substitute for classroom teaching. If this is the case for one of your courses, you will be informed in time. In general: As soon as the universities make an online course offer available, BAföG recipients in particular are obliged to participate in this online course offer in order to continue to receive the respective BAföG benefits. Valuable information on the first steps towards implementing online teaching is compiled here.
Please note: If you have any questions regarding these FAQs or need further clarification regarding your studies, the Dean's Offices of the individual departments will be happy to assist you. If you have any questions regarding your application and admission and student status, please contact the Student Support Service Department & International Office as usual.
Due to the dynamic situation, the FAQ will be continuously adapted. Therefore, please check our website regularly for the latest information. Thanks a lot.
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How does the communication with the HNEE work?
The communication between the university and you is exclusively by e-mail or telephone. If possible, please use your HNEE e-mail address for e-mail communication.
Are the campuses, dining halls of Studentenwerk Frankfurt (Oder) or the university library open? Will office and opening hours remain the same?
The buildings of the university have been open again since 21.09.2020 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The following rules must be observed when entering the premises of the university: Please adhere to the AHA+A+L regulations (distance hygiene everyday masks+ (Corona) App + ventilation):
- Please keep at least 1.5 meters distance.
- Please continue to adhere to the hygiene rules (regular and thorough hand washing, coughing and sneezing, etc.)
- Please always wear an everyday mask if the minimum distance cannot be maintained. Masks are also compulsory outdoors if the minimum distance cannot be maintained, as well as when entering and walking around lecture halls or seminar rooms. Only after you have taken your seat may the everyday mask be removed. Non-compliance can lead to exclusion from events or disciplinary consequences. In particular, our lecturers or supervisors are authorized to enforce this.
The installation of the Corona-Warn-App is strongly recommended.
Please ensure that rooms are ventilated regularly and sufficiently - at least every 45 minutes for at least 5 minutes.
(Status 14.10.2020)
The canteen at the Waldcampus is currently open Monday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. From 2.11.2020 the opening hours will be extended to 8 to 14 o'clock. The cafeteria on the city campus is expected to open again from 2.11.2020 - then every Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Changes are possible at any time depending on the pandemic development. You can find the relevant information on the website of the Studentenwerk Frankfurt (Oder).
(Status: 29.09.2020)
The university library of the HNEE is open to a limited extent, subject to the rules of hygiene and distance.
Current restrictions and services:
Opening hours from 05.10.2020: Mon. to Fri. from 14 to 22 o'clock
Masks are compulsory in the university library. Please remember the valid hygiene regulations and the minimum distance of 1.5 meters to other people. When entering and leaving the library building, please observe the instructions and markings.
The payment of fees is possible from 05.10.2020 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 14 to 16 o'clock and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 14 to 18 o'clock.
From Monday to Friday, up to 4 users* can use the PC workstations in the university library's carrels from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. (after prior registration by e-mail to bibliothek@hnee.de). A further 6 PC workstations are available in the open access areas without prior registration.
At the same time, a maximum of 10 persons (plus carrel users) can stay in the rooms of the university library.
Admission is controlled by a limited number of provided baskets, which are disinfected after each use. Access is only allowed with a basket.
Please continue to make increased use of our electronic services. All university members and staff* can access licensed e-books, e-journals and databases from outside the university. A VPN connection is required and must be set up. The e-books can be found in OPAC or via Ebook Central. Electronic journals can best be searched in the Electronic Journals Library (EZB).
The visit to the library should be kept as short as possible.
Important note: The return deadlines and the reminder routine (fees) for borrowed media in the university library have been reactivated, these must now be returned as soon as possible. If you have problems returning your borrowed media in person or sending them to us by mail, please contact us in time by phone (03334 657-200) or by e-mail to bibliothek@hnee.de to avoid unnecessary fees.
(Status: 29.09.2020)
I commute from a high-risk local area (e.g. Berlin) to the university. What do I need to consider?
If you live in a high-risk area, e.g. Berlin, and study and/or work at the HNEE, you should keep your time in presence as short as possible. Please try to reduce the number of days on site and otherwise study mobile from home if possible. The departments are already making great efforts to take this into account and to react flexibly to new situations. Should you still encounter problems, please contact the staff of the respective department or, if necessary, the respective dean's office. If you have any information on where further technical support is required, please do not hesitate to contact Mirella Zeidler (mirella.zeidler@hnee.de). If you are working at the HNEE in addition to your studies, please do not hesitate to discuss the possibilities of mobile working with your supervisor.
In principle, it still applies that you are obliged to come to the HNEE depending on your main focus of activity or because of the absolute necessity of your presence at the university within the framework of on-site appointments.
(Status: 14.10.2020)
When does the lecture period for the winter semester 2020/21 begin and end?
Will there be examinations?
Oral examinations by HNEE students can continue to be offered on site for the time being under the following conditions: a maximum of three persons (examinee, supervisor, assessor) may be involved in a sufficiently large room, and the hygiene precautions necessary in the current situation must be observed. A prerequisite for the implementation is the voluntary participation of all participants.
If you do not feel safe to take an exam, you can cancel your registration within 7 calendar days. In case of illness you can withdraw from an examination. You must then immediately submit an original notification of illness and a medical certificate to the Student Service & International Office. Unexcused non-appearance for an exam will be graded as "failed" (5.0).
(Status: 08.10.2020)
What changes are there for final theses (Bachelor's or Master's thesis)?
How can I apply for my thesis?
Please use the form provided for your department. If you have any questions, please contact the dean's office of your department.
How and when do I submit my thesis?
The submission of the thesis is regulated by your respective SPO. If you have any questions, please contact the dean's office of your department.
Do I have to re-register if I am writing a thesis?
Yes, otherwise you cannot successfully complete your studies.
(Status: 08.10.2020)
How do I receive my diploma?
Upon completion of your studies, please send us an e-mail to noten@hnee.de so that we can send you a current certificate of achievement in EMMA at short notice. If required, we can also send this to you by post with a stamp and signature. If you urgently need your certificate now, we will prepare it and send it to you when we receive the completed routing slip and a stamped envelope. If you have not yet submitted the completed routing slip to us, we can circulate it for you. As this can take some time in the current situation, we are currently accepting an affidavit (dated and signed) in advance as an alternative to the circulation of the routing slip, stating that you no longer have any "outstanding debts" at the HNEE (e.g. outstanding reminder fees in the library, keys or equipment still on loan). Please send this declaration by mail to the Student Service & International Office of the HNEE.
What will happen to my internship?
The internship officers of the departments are in contact with internship offices and interns. Should problems with the internship arise, the internship coordinator should be contacted immediately in order to work out an individual solution as soon as possible. Scholarship holders*, e.g. via ERASMUS+, must also inform the scholarship providers promptly in the event of a planned break-off or interruption. Here, too, initial solutions have been formulated by the funding providers to prevent (financial) disadvantages from arising and to reimburse the additional costs, e.g. for the unscheduled return flight due to the corona pandemic.
Where can I find information about BAfÖG and study financing?
BAföG recipients whose maximum period of support (standard period of study) ended with the 2020 summer semester can now receive educational support until the end of the 2020/21 winter semester. The presentation of the transcript of records is also postponed by one semester.
Those who have not yet applied should do so immediately. The forms we have issued up to now for funding beyond the maximum funding period are thus no longer required. Further information can be found here.
As of the winter semester 2020/21, the BAföG requirement rates and allowances will be further increased within the framework of the 26th BAföG amendment. If the requirements are met, up to 861 euros BAföG can be paid out monthly. The childcare supplement increases to 150 euros per month for each child.
Please note the new forms for applying for BAföG from the Studentenwerk Frankfurt (Oder) and submitting repeat applications at least 2 to 3 months before the end of the grant period.
The state of Brandenburg has provided additional funding for students in need due to corona. For students whose applications for federal grants were unsuccessful, but who can prove that they are in need according to the criteria of the hardship fund, a one-time grant of 300 euros is granted through the hardship fund. The emergency aid can be applied for online at the Studentenwerk Frankfurt (Oder).
(Status: 15.10.2020)
Can I still take advantage of the psycho-social counselling offered by the Studentenwerk Frankfurt (Oder)?
The counselling service is still available every Wednesday. The consultation appointments can be made also on other weekdays, and in emergencies also on weekends. The Studentenwerk has assured that there is currently no limit to the number of counselling appointments; theoretically, several appointments per day could also be offered.
- If necessary, please contact service@swffo.de or by phone at 0335 56509 - 90 and ask for an appointment with the advisor (English or German)
- The service telephone in Frankfurt (Oder) is available during the following office hours: Mon, Wed & Thu 9 to 15 o'clock and Tue & Fri 9 to 16 o'clock
- A personal consultation can take place in the Sonnenvilla, taking into account the precautionary and hygiene measures. But of course you can also receive advice exclusively by telephone. Please note that counselling services are limited to five consultations per semester and student.
If you require an English-speaking psychological-social counselling service, please also contact the above-mentioned telephone number. The Studentenwerk Frankfurt (Oder) will then promptly provide you with a corresponding contact person and an appointment for a counseling interview.
What can I do if I am bored at home and would like to take my mind off my online studies?
On recommendation of international students we have collected useful tips and links for meaningful activities during this pandemic crisis in a PDF document.
If you have any other recommendations, please let us know! We would be happy to include them.
The Welcome Centre with the student buddy team is planning virtual and face-to-face events for international students.
In our Facebook group "International Students HNEE" or at welcome@hnee.de you get more information.
Or are you interested in the university choir, the university orchestra or university sports?
Currently, a minimum distance between the singers of at least two meters when singing is a prerequisite for the rehearsals of the university choir. For rehearsals with wind instruments an even greater distance of at least 2.5 meters must be maintained. Furthermore, regular and sufficient ventilation must be provided and the duration of rehearsals must be limited. As soon as choir and orchestra members move around in the interior, they must wear a mouth and nose cover. Please contact the responsible persons if you have specific questions:
> University choir: www.hnee.de/hochschulchor
> University Orchestra: www.hnee.de/hochschulorchester
University sport, as a club in its own right, will gradually start again with offers starting in the winter semester 2020/2021. Under observance of hygiene requirements, courses can take place again to an appropriate extent both in sports rooms and outdoors. Further information is available at
> www.hnee.de/hochschulsport or directly from Thomas Kolling at hsp@hnee.de.
(Status: 30.09.2020)
