Dear students,

The autumn semester 2020 has finally stared! The motto is 'as personal as possible, as digital as necessary'. We are delighted that we can once again be a university in presence mode, after the predominantly digital spring semester. We all missed the direct personal exchange in lectures, out in the corridors or over a coffee.

Support for the hybrid semester

The 'Hybrid Teaching' task force set up by the Teaching Development Centre offers students support for the hybrid fall semester. Visit www.unilu.ch/go-hybrid for current webinars on all study topics, instructions on the owl and for tips on social exchange in digital times.

Language courses for students during autumn semester

In coordination with the SOL, language courses for students are beeing offered. The English course Speaking and writing B2/C1 will take place over lunch, French B1 and Italian for beginners A1 and the semester course German for speakers of other languages  B2/C1 will take place during the regular teaching times. Registration deadline is the 16th September 2020.

Master’s Information Evening and Master’s Week

The master’s information evenings for each of the four faculties and the department will take place on Tuesday, 20th October 2020. 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 19th to 23th 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 of Health Sciences and Medicine. More information

'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, 3th November from 9-11am, in room 4.A40. Bruno Staffelbach will be available for questions, and welcomes your concerns, wishes and suggestions. Prior registration is not necessary.

Improving equal opportunities

In November 2019, the University of Lucerne received a petition in which numerous students participated with suggestions for improving equal opportunities. University management examined the issues and concerns raised and decided on eight measures. Three of these directly affect students.

Diversity strategy

With the Semester Info dated 19th Mai we invited you to participate on our survey and help us counter discrimination and promote diversity in everyday university live. www.unilu.ch/diversity
The University Executive Board has approved the draft of the diversity strategy submitted by the Diversity Working Group. This completes the first stage of the diversity strategy process. The second stage, which has just begun, gives members of the university community the possibility to bring in their proposals and opinions in group discussions. The goal of these group discussions is to determine a series of diversity measures as a response to the results of the online survey and the written feedbacks by university organisations. These measures will constitute the implementation plan of the diversity strategy, which will be completed by the end of the year as the final step in the project.

Canteen open

After a long break the canteen is open again at the usual times. Under the heading Protection concept for the autumn semester you will find the protection concept. 

Enrolment of new students in the fall semester 2020

Due to the current COVID-19 situation, the Student Administration Office now also offers new students the opportunity to complete their personal enrolment by mail. Instead of appearing in person at the counter, you can send in your documents by recorded delivery. Please enclose a pre-franked reply envelope addressed to you (also recorded delivery). The enrolment period ends on October 9, 2020.

Semester fees

Please take note of the fact that your semester fees’ invoice needs to be paid fully and in time, in order to ensure the continuation of your enrolment status.

Current contact details

Please make sure that your current address, telephone number and private e-mail address are entered into the UniPortal. You can make changes there directly at any time.

International Week

The annual 'International Day' which showcases our exchange partner destinations near and far will this year be an 'International Week'. It will take place in November in a new digital guise. Make sure you follow the University of Lucerne’s official social media pages where you will find further information in due course.

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 2021 for autumn 2021 and spring 2022
Partnership-Programme (outside of Europe): 1st March 2021 for autumn 2021
CH-Unimobil-Programme (within Switzerland): 15th November 2020 for spring 2021

Discovery semester for refugees needs mentors

In the academic year 2020/21, the University of Lucerne will again offer 'taster studies' for refugees. Participants can attend up to four lectures per week as ‘audit students’. We are looking for motivated and committed students who are open to exciting encounters and exchanging with the refugees. Within the framework of the current possibilities, smaller events and excursions will be organized and language tandems formed. Depending on the faculty, social credits can also be acquired. We would be pleased to hear from you; registrations are possible at any time by emailing: mobilityremove-this.@remove-this.unilu.ch.

Become a part of ESN Lucerne!

The Buddy Programme for international exchange students at the University of Lucerne, organized by the Erasmus Student Network Lucerne (ESN), is looking for motivated and committed students who want to accompany the 'Incoming Students' on their Swiss adventure. Registrations are possible at any time directly via ESN luzernremove-this.@remove-this.esn.ch or via the International Relations Office mobilityremove-this.@remove-this.unilu.ch.

Workshops by students for students

Introduction to PowerPoint, quoting in seminar papers, introduction to R: Students offer workshops for students. The registration for the workshops can be done via the link below.
Do you want to offer a workshop yourself? Send us your idea via the form on the website. Students of the KSF can also earn social credits by doing so. More Info

Lockers: Key rental from the 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

HSCL: sport’s activities on offer

There are 122 weekly training opportunities, 58 courses/camps as well as other events and services. You will find all information on the HSCL website. Due to COVID-19, all sports’ offers requiring registration and all sports with close physical contact are conducted in the form of unchanging groups.

Psychological Counselling Center Campus Lucerne

The Psychological Counseling Center Campus Lucerne (PBLU) regularly offers workshops for students. The dates of the Workshops on demand and details of the new offer Virtual Reality in counseling can be found on the website. Appointments for all forms of counseling can be arranged at any time via inforemove-this.@remove-this.pblu.ch  or via the contact form. As usual, the team is also available for individual consultations; register via www.pblu.ch.

horizonte – Chaplaincy for students

The new semester theme is: 'A brave new world'.

For personal talks and consultations the chaplains are available to students free of charge and confidentially. For more information see Website or Facebook and Instagram

Prevention of Sexual Harassment: confidants

The three Lucerne universities offer a joint service for persons affected by sexual harassment. Any form of sexual harassment at a place of work or study is unacceptable and will result in appropriate measures and sanctions. Anyone affected can expect to receive quick and competent support from one of the four designated persons of trust.
More information

Study on Online Lectures and Meetings

The Chair of Digital Marketing at the Faculty of Economics and Management is currently planning a study on teaching in the context of COVID-19. Specifically, the study aims to understand students’ perception of online lectures and meetings in times of COVID-19. All participants have the chance to win attractive prices (iPhone 11, iPad Pro). The study will be conducted via Zoom.
You can sign up for the study using the following link: https://ww2.unipark.de/uc/UNILU_CH/f94b/
The registration will be open from 15th until 21st September. Thank you for your participation

LSUE for PhD and MA students: Call for applications

After the COVID-19-related postponement of this year's LSUE, we are pleased to announce the start of the call for applications for the LSUE 2021, taking place from 10th to 15th June 2021. The International Summer Academy addresses moral issues and ethical questions and challenges across scientific disciplines in a sustainable and systematic way in global context. www.unilu.ch/summer-university-en

Sunday opening times for students

The library will have special opening times ond Sundays and public holidays: 6th/8th/13th/20th December and 10th/17th January – from 9am to 5pm. University of Lucerne and PH students can gain access via the night entrance, and with a valid CampusCard.

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. Importing student data into the library system (pdf, in German)

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/Thu 16th/17th September and Wed/Thu 23rd/24th September, Thu 15th October and Thu 19th November from 12:15-1 pm. Meeting point: Infodesk of the library, 1st floor. Face masks are compulsory. 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 via: www.zhbluzern.ch/wissenplus

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 until the 9th March 2020. More information via www.projektneptun.ch
Demonstration Day: On the 17th 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

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: 9th December 2020

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.