Welcome to a new semester of study! I wish you a good start to your studies and every success in your learning so that you may reach your goals. Please also take advantage of the University of Lucerne’s wide range of additional offerings: public events organised by each faculty and the library, opportunities for interaction outside class, the planning of an exchange semester with the help of the International Relations Office.

‘Ghostwriting’ leaves no room for interpretation
There are discussions currently underway within the field of university teaching in Switzerland about students who choose to pay others to write their term- and final papers on their behalf. This practice is euphemistically referred to as ‘Ghostwriting’. There is no room for interpretation here: students who behave in such a way, compromise first and foremost, their own learning progress. Furthermore, it is a form of deception and guilty parties are at risk of sanctions such as the annulment of credits or complete expulsion from university. If a student is found to be guilty of such practices after the completion of their studies, they risk having their whole degree annulled and also risk criminal prosecution. It is simply not worth engaging in such practices.

Teaching Evaluations
A further issue relates to quality assurance in the field of teaching. I would be grateful if you could complete teaching evaluations, so that we can make further improvements in this area and identify any needs for additional training. Many thanks in advance for your willingness to participate!

(Prof. Dr. Markus Ries, Prorector Teaching and International Relations)