How will the coronavirus affect in-person exams during the 2020/2021 winter semester?
The infection rates in Germany and Thuringia remain high – too high. This has led to the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar –following a successful in-person phase in November and December – to move teaching to a completely digital format for the rest of the 2020/2021 winter semester. The end of the lecture period is typically followed by an exam period in February and March. How this will be safely and effectively is currently being planned by the Presidium, heads of faculties, the Crisis Unit, and the Koordinationsgruppe Corona (corona coordination group), taking all necessary measures into account. The responsible committees are continually assessing the situation on a daily basis in order to adapt and possibly adjust the measures currently in place.
This could mean that in the worst-case scenario, in-person exams (written exams, for instance) are postponed at the last minute to a later date. No exams, however, should be cancelled. Under no circumstances should this semester become a »lost semester« for any of the students.
Generally speaking, all instructors are being asked to find digital or alternative formats to evaluate students’ performance. Although it may require a great deal of creativity and ingenuity, this is possible in many distance exam situations. Nevertheless, some exams cannot be carried out in digital formats for legal, content-related, or organisational reasons, and thus require students to physically attend the exam. Thus, a number of winter semester exams will have to take place in-person.
Exam rooms, specifically the Falkenburg Sports Hall, are currently being prepared for this purpose. The Koordinationsgruppe Corona is currently measuring out distances in what is otherwise the site of sports courses and other leisure activities to determine which exits and entrances can be used safely. The team is also addressing the question of whether sufficient ventilation can be provided for those present during the exams. Estimates have shown that the Sports Hall can accommodate approximately 100 students sitting an exam for an extended period of time. [Update from 2 February: The maximum number of seats per room has been significantly reduced once again since this article was written due to the emergence of mutation variants of the virus. Editor's note] It may be necessary to rent other venues in Weimar, such as the Weimarhalle, in the summer. Extending the exam period and making use of all weekdays as well as Saturdays from morning to evening is also being considered.
Wearing FFP2 masks will be mandatory for those taking exams while entering and exiting the venue. FFP2 masks will be available for those who do not have one. The removal of masks at the test site, for instance while taking an exam, is optional. It is essential to avoid congregating and forming groups before or after the exam, despite how difficult this may be given how rarely students are able to see one another. Distancing and mask regulations must be observed.
A handout summarising all measures and regulations in a clear and understandable way will be provided to all instructors in January so that everyone is able to adjust and properly prepare.