Coronavirus Updates

Are classes being held on WU Campus?

No, starting March 11 all teaching activities on WU Campus are suspended until end of September 2020. This means that the courses of the summer university are also online, any exceptions are communicated in the Directory of Classes.

Teaching is held in distance-learning formats. This also applies to final presentations, project meetings, and the like. We expect you to participate actively in distance learning and to complete the alternative performance components just as carefully as performance components in classroom teaching. This means that you will have to inform yourself regularly about new performance components, keep up with your courses in independent study, and comply with any assignment deadlines.

Are the WU buildings open?

Since July 1, 2020, you have access to WU's buildings. The campus is open Monday to Friday from 7:00am to 8:00pm. Please continue to take a face mask with you, as it is still necessary to wear it in the WU buildings if it’s not possible to maintain the general safety distance from other people.

What's going on in the library?

The lending service for borrowing books is still in place, but it will be temporarily unavailable during the library break from July 20 to 31. As of August 3 you can use it again.

The Central Library (including the Language Resource Center), the Library for Law, and the Library for Social Sciences will open for studying again as of August 3, but the number of people that can be admitted to the libraries will be limited. Please note that it will be necessary to reserve a seat in advance.

For detailed information, please see the WU University Library website.

Are study areas and independent study zones, project rooms and PC practice labs then available again "as normal"?

You can use the study areas and independent study zones again since July 1 Monday to Friday from 7:00am to 8:00pm. To ensure compliance with the prescribed minimum safety distance, the number of available seats is reduced, however. Using them we’d like to remind you to be mindful and responsible in dealing with the current situation.

A limited number of project rooms (listed in ROOMS) will be available to you again starting September 1. We expect that booking project rooms as usual will be possible again when the winter semester starts (October 1, 2020). Using them we’d also like to remind you to be mindful and responsible in dealing with the current situation.

The PC practice labs in the LC building will be available again starting on August 3, exclusively during summer break opening hours. The PC practice labs in the TC building will remain closed for the time being. You can find more detailed information on the IT Services website.

The Language Resource Center will also be open again with restrictions from 3 August. Details can be found directly on the website.

Are exams being held?

The examinations of the summer semester are held online and lecturers are doing their best to provide alternative performance components to replace those elements that would normally be held in a classroom setting (e.g. presentations).
Please keep yourself informed in time about registration deadlines, technical requirements, preparation and completion of the online exam! Special notes on the examination week can be found on the website of Großprüfungswoche Online.

In exceptional cases, we will also offer alternatives to online exams. Your course instructors will inform you about the specific exam dates soon.

What types of online exams will WU be holding?

All information about online exams at WU can now be found on the Online Exams website.

Are there test runs for written examinations in the online examination environment?

Basically, we offer you the opportunity to test changes and innovations within the online testing environment on MyLEARN - however, test runs cannot be offered on an ongoing basis. Details and dates can also be found on the online exams website.

I only need one last exam to graduate and wanted to complete my program before the end of the extended enrollment period. Now this exam isn’t being held, what should I do? 

With the COVID-19 University and College Ordinance, the extended enrollment period for the summer semester 2020 was extended from April 30, 2020 to June 30, 2020. Thus, for example, the following point is possible until June 30, 2020: 

• Completion of studies without paying tuition fees for the summer semester 2020

 

You definitely need to re-register for the 2020 summer semester to make sure that you are still enrolled after the end of the extended enrollment period. Tuition fees and/or ÖH Students’ Union dues need to be paid by June 30, 2020, and can be paid online – see here for more information.

Where can I find further information on grants or study law issues in the current situation?

Please use the collection of FAQs of the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research (currently only available in german language).

How does borrowing books at WU Library work since May 6?

We offer a limited range of services for borrowing books from the Central Library (LC) and the Library for Social Sciences (D4). The books must be reserved via the WU library catalog and can only be collected at the library front desk after receipt of the notification. Detailed information can be found on this website.

There will be a break from 20 to 31 July, as the library will be completely closed for maintenance work. From 3 August you can use the lending service again.

The WU buildings are generally open from July 1. We also recommend that you bring a face mask with you, as it is still necessary to wear a mouth-and-nose mask in the WU buildings if it’s not possible to maintain the general safety distance from other people. This is the case, for example, in waiting areas, when entering and leaving libraries, service facilities or examination rooms.

How is the D3 print collection be available to WU students since May 6?

As of May 6, 2020 three color scanners are available to WU students in the Library for Law (D3). The scanners can be used on fixed days and without exception after prior reservation. Please inform yourself directly on the website of the Library for Law about all details. 

This service will be discontinued when the library opens on August 3.

Where can I find further information for users of WU's library?

Please visit the website of WU's library for further information on the extended lending period of borrowed books, returning of books, how to access electronic ressorces (as databases, ebooks, journals) from off campus, and chat advice for online research.

Can public areas (reading areas) and project rooms in the library be used?

The Central Library(including the Language Resource Center), the Library for Law, and the Library for Social Sciences will open for studying again as of August 3, but the number of people that can be admitted to the libraries will be limited. Please note that it will be necessary to reserve a seat in advance. For detailed information, please see the WU University Library website.

If you don't want to study on site but want to take the books with you, please continue to use the lending service, which will be available again after the break (from July 20 to 31) from 3 August.

The project rooms within the library remain closed until August 31 and can only be used again in September. We expect that booking project rooms as usual will be possible again when the winter semester starts (October 1, 2020).

I left some documents in my rental locker. How can I access them while Campus WU is closed?

Due to the current situation, you’ll have to make a personal appointment to pick up any belongings left in your locker. Holders of a rental locker are asked to contact us by email. Despite the current situation, the rental lockers will remain reserved for their current holders until the end of the rental period (June 27, 2020).

Are the service units on Campus WU open?

We started in early May to offer some limited services. Please note the conditions and holiday opening hours listed on the websites of the individual units: 

• Library: a limited range of services for borrowing books starting on May 6, no service during the library break from July 20 to 31, open from August 3

• Restricted SSC opening hours, since May 11, but please continue to contact us by e-mail to obtain information or advice.

• The IT Services Support Center is - exclusively by appointment - open again at limited times.

• Since May 11, the WU ZBP Career Center has been personally available again for short general inquiries.

• The International Office is also available to you again – for more information, please see the IO web page. 

 

What hygiene and safety measures must still be observed in WU Campus buildings?

We recommend that you bring a face mask with you, as it is still necessary to wear a mouth-and-nose mask in the WU buildings if it’s not possible to maintain the general safety distance from other people. This is the case, for example, in waiting areas, when entering and leaving libraries, service facilities or examination rooms.

What limited services will be offered at the SSC from May 11?

The different units are represented at different times in the Study Service Center and only certain services are available. You can find all information directly on the Study Service Center website. 

• Study Regulations & Credit Transfer: official notifications, need-based scholarship grants

• Admissions: admission/re-registration, student IDs, leave of absence

• Pick-up of your graduation documents is only possible by appointment. You will find all relevant information and instructions on this website for Master's graduates. 

• Appointments in the doctoral office are also only possible by prior appointment. 

 

How can I get my transcript, enrollment confirmation, etc.?

Many important administrative procedures are accessible from home by using the Online Services for Students. In addition to re-registering for the semester, you can also download digital documents (transcript, enrollment information sheet, enrollment confirmation, etc.).

How can I pay the ÖH dues/tuition fees online?

You can also re-register for this semester via online bank transfer, click here for more information.

With the COVID-19 University and College Ordinance, the extended enrollment period for the summer semester 2020 was extended from April 30, 2020 to June 30, 2020, so you need to pay your fees by June 30, 2020. Thus, for example, the following points are possible until June30, 2020: 

• Completion of studies without paying tuition fees for the summer semester 2020

• Change to a new curriculum (e.g. Bachelor WISO12 to WISO19)

 

Many important administrative procedures are accessible from home by using the Online Services for Students. In addition to re-registering for the semester, you can also download digital documents (enrollment information sheet, enrollment confirmation, transcript, etc.).

I signed up for graduating in absentia with pick-up on April 14,  2020, how do I get my certificate?

Due to the COVID-19 situation, however, Campus WU and the Study Service Center are closed until further notice. This means that it is currently not possible to issue your certificate and diploma scroll and to make the documents available for collection.

We will notify you immediately as soon as your documents are available for pick-up.

Specific information for incoming and outgoing exchange students can be found on the International Office website.

For questions regarding programs of the WU Executive Academy, please get in touch with the respective Program Managers. Click here for the contact details.

What can I do to prevent a new spread of the coronavirus?

Stay informed using reliable sources on current protective measures, regulations, and recommendations, and follow them. These include personal protective measures (e.g. washing hands frequently and correctly, observing respiratory hygiene, social distancing, and wearing a face mask) as well as measures affecting our community as a whole (e.g. reducing social contacts and, if necessary, quarantine measures).

I am uncertain and have questions about the coronavirus. Who can I contact?

If you have general questions about the coronavirus, please call 0800 555 621 – This hotline operates 24/7.

I suspect that I have the coronavirus, what should I do?

If you are experiencing symptoms such as fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, stay at home and call the 24/7 hotline 1450. 

Links & hotlines (in alphabetical order)

Federal Ministries

• Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research

• Federal Ministry of the Interior

• Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health Care and Consumer Protection

 

Health (Please only call if there is an emergency, not if you have general questions)

AGES Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety- coronavirus hotline	0800 555 621
Ärztefunkdienst Wien (Medical Service Vienna) - plus: link to other Austrian federal states on website	141
Health advice over the phone - if you have symptoms and suspect that you have the coronavirus	1450
Ambulance - for medical emergencies	144
World Health Organization (WHO)

Domestic violence (services are anonymous and free of charge)

Women's Refuge Vienna	057722
Women's hotline against violence	0800 222 555
Police - for acute emergencies	133
Vienna emergency hotline for women (24/7)	01 71 719

General support and mental health

Federal Association of Austrian Psycholgists	01 504 8000 E-Mail	Mon - Sun, 09:00 am - 08:00 pm
Crisis Intervention Center Vienna	01 406 9595	Mon - Fri, 10:00 am - 05:00 pm
Psychosoziale Dienste Wien - Mental health emergency number	01 31330
Austrian Red Cross/O3 counselling on the phone	116 123	Mon - Sun, noon - midnight
Psycho-social Services Vienna	01 4000/53060
Psychological Counseling Center Vienna	0664/73 517 125 E-Mail	Office hours and details (in German only)
Team Österreich (If you need help temporarily and do not have neighbors or family to help you)	0800 600 600	Mon - Sun, 07:00 am - 07:00 pm
Pastoral care on the phone	142	24/7
City of Vienna - service number (if you are in a risk group, need help, and do not have family/neighbors/friends to help you)	01 4000 4001

Website for voluntary alternative civilian service (for voluntary, former "Zivildiener")

Website for information on the Austrian militia or extending your military service

Federal Student Aid

This information applies only to Austrian citizens and is available only in German. Please see the German version of this page.

Community service of at least 100 hours in the interests of public safety, preventative health care, teaching, or supply security performed in the period from March 1 to September 30, 2020, can be submitted for credit as a free elective in the bachelor’s programs Business, Economics and Social Sciences and Business and Economics.

The community service elective is worth 4 ECTS credits and appears on your transcript as “successfully completed” (“Mit Erfolg teilgenommen”).

This elective will not be included in the calculation of your total grade for free electives. To receive the credits, the completed form must be submitted by September 30, 2020 (a scanned version is sufficient) and sent to pruefungsorganisation@wu.ac.at from your WU email address.