Esteemed students,

A new semester and new opportunities! I would like to welcome you to the lectures of the autumn semester 2019 and I look forward to the upcoming semester’s activities. University staff have created great studying conditions for you, and thus we all hope that you will approach your studies with lots of energy and maximum motivation.
I regard the University of Lucerne as dynamic and multi-faceted – a small cosmos that is constantly growing and developing.

New language courses for students in autumn semester 2019

New language courses for students will be offered in coordination with SOL. During the autumn semester 2019, two courses will be organised: Italienisch A1 (Italian for Beginners) and Academic Writing B2. Registration deadline is the 18th September.
Until 18th September, registration is also open for the semester course Deutsch für Fremdsprachige B2/C1 (German for non-German Speakers).

'Open Door' at the Rector’s Office

Once per semester, the rector will open his door at a specified time. The next opportunity will be Tuesday, 5th November from 9-11am, room 4.A40. The rector will be available for questions, and welcomes your concerns, wishes and suggestions. Prior registration is not necessary.

Master’s Information Evening and Master’s Week

The master’s information evenings for each of the four faculties and the new Department will take place on Tuesday, 29th October 2019. Furthermore, anyone interested in the master’s programmes offered by the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences can also take part in Master’s Week, which runs from the 28th to the 31st of October. During Master’s Week students can attend any of the regular master’s lectures offered by the faculty, gain information on any of the master’s programmes offered, and receive individual support and advice. The same applies to the Department Health Sciences and Medicine. More information

Graduate Academy

The new Graduate Academy is open to all (post-) doctoral students and sees itself as a contact point for our university’s junior researchers. The course offer “Generic skills” supports (post-) doctoral students on their way to a future career – be it in academia or outside. It is open to – and free of charge for – all researchers, post-docs and doctoral students at the University of Lucerne and its partner institutions. See the course program: www.unilu.ch/graduateacademy/courseprogram

Career Services

The new service centre supports and assists students as they prepare for their careers, whilst also promoting faculty- and university based opportunities! The objective of the newly created Career Services, which is part of the Student Administration Office, is to provide students with events and activities related to career entry, as well as training in the job application process and in career planning.

Tuition fees for Master Studies (1st semester)

You have completed your bachelor's degree and are continuing your studies at the master's level and in the same subject. Your fee bill does not reflect this change in degree level. Please pay the bill anyway. The examination fee of CHF 70.00 for the first semester in your master's program will be invoiced after the Bachelor diploma report has come out. More information

Application deadlines for student exchange

If you are interested in taking part in an exchange, please take a look at the website of the International Relations Office (IRO) and contact the mobility coordinator within your home faculty in good time. Deadlines for all exchange programmes
SEMP-Programme (within Europe): 1st March 2020 for autumn 2020 and spring 2021
Partnership-Programme (outside of Europe): 1st March 2020 for autumn 2020
CH-Unimobil-Programme (within Switzerland): 15th November 2019 for spring 2020

Lockers: Key rental from Infodesk

On the 1st basement floor, there are 644 lockers available for rent. In order to arrange key rental, please fill in the form Antrag Schliessfach first and then go to the Infodesk on the ground floor of the university building.
Costs and further information

Electrical outlets in lecture halls 5 to 8

During the summer break, lecture halls 5 to 8 on the ground floor were equipped with additional electrical outlets. The tables were fitted with power strips. Please note that for safety reasons, connections between different rows of tables, or directly connecting to floor outlets, is not allowed (escape routes).

Workshops by students for students

Students are often expected to possess interdisciplinary competences: use of 'Office' software, presentation skills, good graphic design skills and many more. Visit our free of charge workshops run 'by students for students'. More Information (Teaching Development Centre)

Are you interested in teaching your own workshop next semester? Send your proposal to the Teaching Development Centre using the form on the Website.

Winteruniversiade 2021: Be part of it!

From 21st to 31st January 2021, Lucerne and Central Switzerland will welcome around 5,000 guests from all over the world who will be here for the 30th Winter Universiade. Over 1,500 athletes in ten sports will compete on snow and ice.
We are looking for volunteers to support the different delegations. Students of all three of Lucerne’s universities can apply to be hosts to welcome, accompany, and assist guest students. List of tasks and application form

Health week 11th-15th November

"Stress reduction through rest and relaxation" will be the focus of the health week for students and staff of the University of Lucerne. From 11th to 15th November you can attend several "relaxing" presentations, there will also be an informational booth during lunch breaks, a lecture entitled “Sleep Well!”, and more.  www.unilu.ch/gesundheit

Measles: Information from Lucerne’s Department of Health

Canton Lucerne’s Department of Health kindly requests those persons who never had the measles to get themselves vaccinates against measles. More information, instructions and Letter Dept of Health Lucerne

Join in the singing with the Schola Gregoriana Lucernensis

The "Schola Gregoriana Lucernensis" choir (female and male voices) arranges four choral concerts per year. The repertoire for the recital during Holy Mass in the Jesuitenkirche will be rehearsed in three rehearsals (Friday evening, Sunday afternoon). The first event will be on Sunday, 10th November, at 5 p.m. If you are interested in participating, please contact the director of the choir for further details: bernhard.hangartnerremove-this.@remove-this.hslu.ch

HSCL: sport activities on offer

The Autumn 2019 Sports programm is online: There are 139 weekly training opportunities, 58 courses/camps, as well as other events and services. New in the programme are the event Catch Night, the course Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, and the trainings GRIT, Shuffle Dance, TRX and Ultimate Frisbee.

Psychological Counselling Center Campus Lucerne

The Psychological Counselling Center Campus Lucerne (PBLU) offers comprehensive advising services to both new and returning students in a timely, uncomplicated and solution-oriented manner. The existing team is being strengthened by Dr. phil. Sibylle Matter, a specialist in psychotherapy, who joined PBLU recently.
We recommend that students contact us as soon as possible in case of private or study-related problems, crises, and uncertainties. Often, challenging situations can be defused at the very start. That way, by the time examinations and performance assessments are due, you’ll feel ready for the challenge. www.pblu.ch

horizonte – Chaplaincy for students

The two chaplains are gladly available if you feel like having a personal conversation. The topic “Vision” will be the thread that weaves through the autumn semester. For more informationen see Website or Facebook and Instagram

Best Teaching Award

A lot of factors contribute to a good and enjoyable study experience, and having excellent instructors is one aspect that is absolutely essential. For this reason SOL organises a vote every year for the 'Best Teacher'. The 'Credit Suisse Best Teaching Award' recognises outstanding performance in education, training and in developing the University of Lucerne’s students.
Last semester you had the opportunity to choose your favorite lecturers via e-voting. Now the second round is on: The winner of the Best Teaching Award will be chosen from among your favorites by a committee comprised of students
More information will follow shortly. Contact: sol_politikremove-this.@remove-this.stud.unilu.ch

Sunday opening times for students

The library will have special opening times on Sundays:

8th/15th/22th December and the 5th/12th and 19th January – from 9am to 5pm.
University of Lucerne and PH students can gain access via the night entrance, and with a valid CampusCard. More information (pdf, in German)

Importing student data into the library system

The data of all newly enrolled students is automatically forwarded to the ZHB’s library system, as long as consent was given for this data transfer during registration.
Import student data into the library system (pdf, in German)

Installation of Seat Navigator in December

In summer 2018, the seat occupancy system "Seat Navigator" was tested at the ZHB location in the Uni/PH Building. The system displays in real-time, which reading and workspaces are free (green), occupied (red), or vacated for a short break only (yellow). The majority of surveyed persons was in favor of introducing the system permanently. Now the time is here! The Seat Navigator will be installed in December 2019 at the following ZHB locations: Uni/PH Building, Sempacherstrasse, and at the Lucerne Business School. We are exited!

Midday library tours

These midday library tours give an introduction into how the library in the Uni/PH building works. The tours take place on Wed-Fri 18th-20th September and Wed-Fri 25th-27th September 2019, from 12:15-1 pm. Meeting point: Infodesk of the library, 1st floor. Prior registration is not necessary. www.zhbluzern.ch

"Knowledge+"

"Wissen+" is being offered to students, lecturers and researchers, in fact to anybody interested in information literacy in the Digital Age. Events are announced at: www.zhbluzern.ch/veranstaltungen/kurse/

The New York Times now available online

One of the largest and most influential daily newspapers in the world is now up-to-date as a website and app. The New York Times is accessible on the ZHB/Uni/PH network as a direct link and via DBIS. 
Contact for further information: e-medienremove-this.@remove-this.zhbluzern.ch

Neptun: Hardware at reduced prices

'Projekt Neptun' offers a selection of Apple, Lenovo and HP-laptops, tablets, printers and screens at significantly reduced prices. The devices are available for purchase from now until the 30th September 2019. More information www.projektneptun.ch

Demonstration Day: On the 19th September from 10am to 2:30pm the Neptun team, as well as representatives from various laptop manufacturers and shops will be with us in the university building (foyer area) to demonstrate their devices and to answer your questions.

Mobility Carsharing

All students of Swiss Universities with a valid Swiss driver’s licence can benefit from special conditions.
More information

Health insurance collective agreement

The University of Lucerne has a collective agreement with the Concordia health insurance scheme. This enables students at the University of Lucerne to obtain special deals on additional insurance. Contact Concordia directly to receive an individualised offer.
More information

Social Finance Survey among Switzerland, Japan and China

The purpose of the survey is to investigate current and prospective usage trends relating to social finance using technology (e.g. mobile phones) to deliver financial services (FinTech), along with young consumers’ willingness to use such social finance. The study also investigates awareness of social financing options and the image and reputation of social financing among young people. The Universities of Lucerne, Zurich, Sapporo and Kagoshima are participating. Thanks for your support. For one of the pariticpants, an iPad will be grated.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LTG32Z3

Semester Info in German or English

Distribution of the Semester Info is done in either German or English.
German version

If necessary, you can change your language within UniPortal (German or English). The language you opt for will then apply to all of the bilingual communication that is sent out by the University of Lucerne.

Next edition: 10th Dezember 2019

The Semester Info provides you with official announcements and information from the Executive Board of the university at the beginning and end of each semester. The faculties will contact you directly with information about lectures and your course of study.