"I don't regret signing up"

The new university semester began on Monday. There is a live transmission For all modules via Zoom, so that students can also follow the lessons from home.

Corona has led to a new everyday life at the universities. In Rotkreuz, where the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts runs its Department of Informatics and parts of the Department of Economic Affairs, new rules have been in force since Monday.

The lessons take place in the Hybrid Model. This means that presence and online formats are combined. A mask requirement also applies in all interior areas. This is more relaxed than, for example, at the Cantonal School Zug, however. No mask has to be worn once a fixed place has been taken up where the distance of 1.5 metres can be maintained.

We talked to two students about their semester start in the sparsely-staffed learning rooms of the university.

Talking to the lecturer from home
Estefania Otero comes from Steinhausen, is 24 years old and is studying Information & Cyber Security in the 3rd semester.

"Most rooms can now only be used for a few students due to the distance regulations. That's why all modules are transmitted online via Zoom. If you are following the module at home and have a question, you simply speak into the microphone and interrupt the instructor for a moment. This is unusual, but it works quite well. Some instructors also create a doodle where you can register for the classroom lessons – a good idea!

Because certain modules take place only late at night, I find it quite convenient to participate from my own four walls. You can thereby go shopping or do the laundry beforehand. Many colleagues also have a relatively long journey of up to one and a half hours. But I’m relieved to finally be back on site – so that I can maintain contact with my colleagues. Having to do without the exchange was very exhausting during the last semester, especially during the learning phase. It is a pity that we haven’t been able to organise any events from the Student Union until now. It's all very complicated. However, we welcomed the fellow students on Monday with drinks from sponsors."

Estefania Otero (left) and Alvaro Keller study at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, located in Rotkreuz.

Three monitors at home instead of one on site
Alvaro Keller, 22, from Oberwil, began his bachelor's degree in business informatics on Monday.

"For a long time I didn't know if I should register for my studies – after all, I didn't want to start "distance studying". I didn't know exactly what was coming. Now I feel good - if you want to meet, it's fine. I’m very happy to have met many new students and have no regrets about having signed up. I find it very pleasant that the lecturers always inquire whether we anything is still unclear - because they can't see the questioning faces under the mask if we don't understand something. Even if you’re attending a seminar at home, you don't feel excluded. The lecturers are also paying increasing attention to directing the camera, so that you can see the electronic wall panel.

For certain subjects, such as programming, it is actually more convenient to work from home. There I’m perfectly equipped with three monitors, keyboard and mouse. At university, on the other hand, I only have my laptop, and space is limited.

I wouldn't mind not having to wear a mask in the corridors. But let's be clear: caution is better than forbearance."

No positive cases in schools so far
The schools started in the canton of Zug almost four weeks ago. Until now, there has been no positive corona cases among teachers or pupils. Students occasionally had to be sent home because they had symptoms. Individual children have had to be quarantined.

This is what the Education and Health Directorates stated on request in a joint response. Their conclusion so far has been positive: "The protection concepts have proven themselves, and the lessons are taking place in the "new normal". The Office of Municipal Schools controls both the protection concepts and their implementation. There were twelve complaints regarding protection concepts before and during the school start. For example, when a protection concept was reviewed, it was not clear when the concept was communicated to school members and parents. Or it could happen that a concept did not provide sufficient information on cleaning or on the quarantine requirements for return from risk countries. The concepts concerned have now been revised.

There has been no criticisms of the implementation of the measures so far, however.