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Information and News on Coronavirus COVID-19
Latest Information
Last update on 27.01.2021
Spring semester starts with remote teaching
The spring semester 2021 will start on 22 February with remote teaching with very few exceptions and will remain so at least until Easter. For the time being, the libraries, including the reading rooms, as well as most of the counters are open. In addition, various lecture and seminar rooms are available for individual study until 19 February.
Last update on 30.10.2020
University teaching with few exceptions only online
The University of Fribourg is significantly affected by the Federal Council’s latest ordinance. Compared to the situation in March during the spring semester, however, there are some differences. Certain activities in small groups remain possible and buildings and libraries remain open. Read the guidelines
Last update on 23.10.2020
All lectures again in distance learning
In accordance with the new restrictions adopted by the Cantonal Government on Thursday 22nd October 2020, the University will dispense until further notice all its lectures, i.e. those involving more than 50 registered students, by distance learning. Seminars and group work can be maintained on-site. The faculties or departments may make further organisational adjustments (including an expansion of distance learning) and will inform those concerned accordingly. The university buildings will remain open during normal working hours and the libraries will continue to offer their services.
Last update on 20.10.2020
Two services in telework
Due to two diagnosed cases, two central services will continue their professional activities by teleworking. To date, a total of about seventy members of the university community have tested positive. For this reason, the Rectorate has made the wearing of masks compulsory in the buildings and recommends teleworking. Read the guidelines
Previous announcements
Last update on 16.10.2020
Tightening of corona measures
The epidemiological situation in Switzerland and Europe is not without consequences for our study and research activities. To date, we have around 60 members of the university community who have tested positive. As a result, the Rectorate has issued amendments to the guidelines.
Last update on 09.10.2020
Home office for the staff of the Adolphe Merkle Institute
Two employees of the Adolphe Merkle Institute (AMI) at the University of Freiburg have tested positive for the respiratory disease Covid-19 this week. As a precautionary measure, all institute employees will now work from home for at least one week.
At the moment, there are individual people who have tested positive in various faculties. As a result, potentially affected students and lecturers will be informed so that they are particularly alert to symptoms and can quickly move into isolation if necessary.
No other cases are known to date, not even those involving administrative staff. For this reason, no additional measures are currently planned and the semester can continue in the majority of on-site courses. The university management is keeping a close eye on developments and will continue to provide proactive information.
Last update on 25.09.2020
Other isolated corona cases
In the current week, a few departments have reported further positive cases of Covid-19. Students who may be affected have been contacted and the University is in contact with the competent authorities. A current assessment of the situation makes further measures unnecessary. However, the university management would like to thank you for your continued strict adherence to the guidelines. If you are uncertain, you can contact the responsible office within Unifr. If you should experience symptoms of illness, please stay at home and follow the instructions of the FOPH.
Last update on 22.09.2020
A Coronavirus case in the Department of Social Work, Social Policy and Global Development
A student has reported to be tested positive for Covid-19 last week. The competent service of the administration of the University of Fribourg immediately contacted the health hotline of the Canton of Fribourg. On the advice of the specialist, some 100 students potentially affected were informed by e-mail, but no further action was taken because of the very low risk of infection. To date, no further infections have been reported. In case of uncertainty, you can contact the responsible service within Unifr. If you should experience symptoms of illness, please stay at home and follow the FOPH's instructions on what to do in the event of symptoms of the disease.
Last update on 01.09.2020
On-site teaching in autumn 2020 and compulsory mask in university buildings
Teaching will take place under "normal" conditions from the autumn semester onwards. Courses are in principle taught on-site. To enable particularly vulnerable people to follow their studies, distance learning arrangements will also be offered. Wearing a protective mask is compulsory when moving around in the university buildings.
Last update on 26.08.2020
Compulsory use of masks in refectories and cafeterias
A face mask must be worn in all refectories and cafeterias of the University of Freiburg. This mask may only be removed while sitting. In addition, customers provide their contact information electronically or on paper to facilitate tracing.
Last update on 25.08.2020
IT and multimedia equipment for hybrid teaching
The IT Support collects all the documentation on hybrid education (one part of the participants in on-site and the other in distance learning) on the Distance Learning website (available in French or in German). Lecturers should consult this page regularly due to frequent updates.
Last update on 23.06.2020
Further easing
In the light of and in accordance with the Federal Council's decisions of 27 May 2020 and 19 June 2020, the Rectorate has decided to continue the easing of prevention measures in connec-tion with COVID-19, with a view to normalising activities at the university as far as possible. Despite this, it is still necessary to remain cautious and vigilant.
Last update on 10.06.2020
Application for exemption from Tuition fee for AS 2020 in case of delayed end of studies
Due to the temporary closure of some university infrastructures (such as libraries and laboratories) in connection with the Covid-19 pandemic, some students were forced to postpone the end of their studies (from the spring semester 2020 to the autumn semester 2020).
If the closure of the infrastructure is the obvious reason for the delay, the students concerned may, with the confirmation of the responsible professor, apply for an exemption from the tuition fee at the Office for Admissions and Registration by 30 September 2020 at the latest. The basic registration fee is not affected and remains due.
Last update on 02.06.2020
Further easing of the rules on staff attendance and the organisation of events
Following the Federal Council's decisions of 27 May on the next steps in the easing of measures to combat the pandemic, the Rectorate has adopted new guidelines which enter into force on 8 June 2020. In particular, there is greater flexibility in terms of staff presence at the University, the opening of the premises to members of the academic community, internal meetings and the organisation of events.
Last update on 19.05.2020, 12:00
Claims of the AGEF for examinations
Response from the Rectorate and faculties to the demands sent out on May 13 by the Co-Chair of the Student Council. The Rectorate and the faculties would like to thank the student representatives in the various faculties who have contributed to finding solutions that take into account the different interests at stake.
Last update on 13.05.2020, 15:00
What should I do if an employee has symptoms of COVID-19?
As a supervisor of employees with symptoms, it is your duty to send them home immediately and ask them to complete the CoronaCheck online self-test. Depending on the result to the test, the person will be asked to contact a physician for a consultation. If the rules of the University attendance plan have been followed, the person with symptoms should not have been in close contact with colleagues. However, it is important to clarify the matter so that, if necessary, the colleagues concerned can also be asked to quarantine themselves until the test results are available.
Last update on 05.05.2020, 15:00
Easing of preventive measures and gradual reopening of University sites and activities
In view of and in compliance with the decisions of Federal Council taken on 29 April 2020, the Rectorate has decided a certain easing of the prevention measures in relation to COVID-19 and the opening respectively a gradual resumption of sites and activities at the University from 11 May 2020. It is nevertheless a question of remaining prudent and vigilant.
Teleworking remains the preferred way of working. However, activities that require the physical presence of staff members at the various university sites will be able to resume from 11 May 2020; all other work should continue to be carried out remotely. The objective here is to avoid a resurgence of the epidemic.
Last update on 30.04.2020, 18:00
The open day, Explora 2020, is postponed for one year
The current situation due to Covid-19 brings with it many uncertainties for the coming weeks and months, which will have a significant impact on the entire university community. Under these circumstances, it makes more sense to postpone the open day, Explora, by one year and not to hold it on 25 September 2020 as planned.
The start of the academic autumn semester 2020 will, in itself, represent a major organisational challenge with many concerns. Moreover, the distance and hygiene conditions would certainly be too restrictive to guarantee the convivial and festive spirit that the University is trying to give to this day. For all these reasons, it seems difficult to organise this festival in good conditions.
Last update on 21.04.2020, 10:30
Press briefing on courses, IT and research
There will be no more classroom teaching at the University of Fribourg until the end of the spring semester 2020. Teaching and most exams will be conducted online. A large number of researchers are also working on projects related to the coronavirus and the damage it causes.
Link to the press release in French and German
The entire press briefing can be found on the State of Fribourg's YouTube channel.
Last update on 17.04.2020, 10:00
No classroom teaching until the end of the semester
In consideration of the decisions made yesterday by the Federal Council on COVID-19, the Rectorate has decided to continue the suspension of classroom teaching until the end of this semester. The regulations concerning examinations communicated last week are not affected by this decision and continue to apply.
Last update on 08.04.2020, 10:00
Semester examinations will take place
On Monday, 6 April, the Rectorate approved the principles for all faculties regarding examinations and performance records for the spring semester 2020. The main points of this general framework can be summarised as follows:
- All students can take their examinations. The usual examination period of May/June will be maintained in principle, with the modalities of many examinations being adapted, although selective exceptions cannot be completely ruled out from today's perspective.
- The faculties will take into account the more difficult conditions of examination preparation and may also provide for alternative solutions for special constellations in individual cases. They will also consider the special situation of students who have been mobilised.
- Facilitated possibilities for the withdrawal of examinations will be provided for.
Further details can be found in the guidelines (FR/DE) of the Rectorate and in due course on the websites of the faculties SciMed, Lettres, IUS, THEO, SES.
Last update on 08.04.2020, 10:00
MS Teams becomes Unifr’s institutional platform
The Directorate of IT Services (DIT) has deployed Microsoft Teams as the solution for the entire university community. MS Teams becomes the institutional platform for video conferencing and online collaboration.
MS Teams can be accessed from https://www3.unifr.ch/it/fr/ms-teams.html, or by connecting directly to teams.microsoft.com with your university login (email address @unifr.ch and password). A quick start guide (in three languages) is available on the corresponding page of the IT services catalogue.
Last update on 27.03.2020
Organization of Unifr in times of the Coronavirus
Over the past two weeks many challenges have had to be met by the academic community.
Last update on 26.03.2020, 16:00
Army / Civil Protection
Applications for leave of absence submitted by students against the background of the Covid 19 pandemic for the spring semester 2020 due to a marching order of the Swiss Armed Forces, a draft of the civil protection or an official draft of another public institution will be handled as follows with immediate effect and until further notice.
Last update on 20.03.2020, 08:00
Pandemic: SNSF provides flexible solutions for researchers
As the Covid-19 pandemic makes it more difficult to do research, the SNSF is supporting scientists in every way it can. For example, it has moved the submission deadline for project funding proposals to 8 April 2020.
Further information and ongoing updates are posted on the portal for researchers.
Last update on 16.03.2020, 15:00
Telework is compulsory, access to the University premises prohibited
The University of Fribourg is introducing telework for all employees of the University. Access to the university buildings is prohibited. The following exceptions are reserved:
- specifically designated persons with a view to ensuring the absolutely necessary activities, in accordance with a pandemic or continuity plan submitted to the Administrative Directorate.
- those units which consider the presence of staff to be necessary for an activity they consider essential, but for which no pandemic or continuity plan has yet been drawn up. In such cases, sante@unifr.ch should be contacted to draw up such a plan and obtain permission to enter the university buildings.
- In addition, the following exceptions are granted:
- the presence of lecturers for the purpose of recordings in connection with e-learning in the rooms provided for this purpose;
- persons who, for compelling reasons, need access to their offices for a short period of time (in particular to obtain the materials necessary for teaching or teleworking). Prior registration via sante@unifr.ch is mandatory.
Guidelines of the Rectorate on prevention in relation to COVID-19
Last update on 13.03.2020, 16:00
Classroom teaching suspended as of Monday, 16 March
In view of current developments in connection with the coronavirus COVID-19, the authorities today decided on far-reaching measures. In particular, from Monday, 16 March 2020 and until the end of April, there will no longer be any attendance events in the area of university teaching.