Esteemed students,

The autumn semester, just like the calendar year, is nearing its end. The turn of the year is traditionally the time to finish various work and to take stock. In student terms this means the end of the semester’s lectures and the ‘taking stock’ is done by means of assessments and exams.
Do we even need exams and assessments at all?

Library Workstations

The library on Sempacherstrasse has been closed since the 18^th November and will remain closed for at least two years. The temporary solution that has been set up at Murbacherstrasse 21 offers collection and return services as well as an advisory service, however there are no workstations available there. Students who previously studied at the Sempacherstrasse library can use the library within the University/PH building (Frohburgstrasse 3) as well as the University of Applied Sciences – Economics’ library at Frankenstrasse 9.
During the exam revision period it is to be expected that the library in the Uni/PH building will be far busier and that occupancy of the workstations will be higher.
The ZHB together with the University, the PH and the HSLU are making concerted efforts to find other possible study places. We thank you for your understanding.
(Simonetta Barnetta, Head of User Services)

UNESCO Summer University in Lucerne: Ethics in a Global Context

Pre-applications are now open for the 1^st session of the "UNESCO Summer University: Ethics in a Global Context” held on June 4-8, 2018 at the Institute of Social Ethics ISE at the Faculty of Theology of the University of Lucerne.
Students (BA, MA, PhD, postdoc) from around the world and from a variety of disciplines can apply to take part in the Summer University. They do this by demonstrating their interest in present and future ethical issues in a global context and by having specific plans on how they can achieve a positive effect by implementing the skills learned at the Summer University in their individual situation and academic work, not to mention what they would bring to the global and interdisciplinary network of people involved in the fields of science and research.
The participants will achieve an internationally recognized certificate.
Please send an email to: iseremove-this.@remove-this.unilu.ch if you are interested to participate in the "UNESCO Summer University: Ethics in a Global Context".
More Details
(Juliette Wyler, Coordinator UNESCO Summer University Ethics in a Global Context)

Lockers: Key return

Have you been renting a locker this semester? Please return your locker key by (latest) Wednesday 31^st January 2018 to the Infodesk. Please note: your locker must be fully emptied; please leave the door open and close the lock.
Costs and further information

Confirmations in PDF form: Matriculation and Exmatriculation

In future you will be able to download your confirmation of matriculation as a PDF document. The PDF is ready for download as soon as you have paid your semester tuition fees and the payment is visible in our system. Equally, you can download your confirmation of exmatriculation as a PDF document (up until 90 days after the end of the semester).

Here’s how: Log in to Uniportal and go to the section 'For students' > Confirmations

Please note that from FS 2018 confirmations of matriculation will no longer be sent automatically by post.
(Susanne Vogt-Lamberts, Head Student Administration Office)

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: 20th February 2018

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.

German course for non-natives in the spring semester 2018

This semester course is particularly suitable for students from Italian- or French speaking Switzerland, however other foreign students and exchange students are also very welcome to join.
The course will run for 6 blocks, on Wednesdays from 4:15pm to 7:30pm. Alongside the language lecturer, university students will actively participate. This will allow for a more intensive classroom supervision and a good German language immersion.
Furthermore, there will be student events organised to further practise your German, including film evenings with subsequent discussions, thematic city tours etc.
Registration is already open. Further information, course fee and registration
(Wolfgang Schatz, Secretary General)

Sunday opening times for students

The library will have special Sunday opening hours on the following Sundays:  17^th December and 7^th/14^th/21^st January – from 9am to 5pm.
University of Lucerne and PH students can gain access via the night entrance, and with a valid CampusCard. More Info (in German, PDF)
(Wolfgang Schatz, Secretary General)

Workshops by students for students

Introduction to PowerPoint, Prezi or Zotero, tips on using the internet – many student workshops have already been organised. For the spring semester 2018 we are again organising workshops for students by students: why not try your hand at teaching!?

How does it work? You prepare your workshop, put together a handout and conduct your workshop twice. You are free to choose your preferred times and a room will be provided. Please contact zentrum.lehre@unilu.ch with your proposed title, a short description and your preferred workshop times. More Info (in German)
(Bernhard Lange, Head of Teaching Development Centre)

Parking area in front of the post office

The post office manager kindly asks you to refrain from walking across the parking area in front of the post office 'Luzern 2 Universität'. In the winter months there have often been incidents involving pedestrians and vehicles using the parking area. The danger of being hit by vehicles reversing out of their parking spaces is even greater in the dark and when it is raining.
In the interest of your own safety, we therefore ask you to either use the pavement along ‘Frohburgstrasse’ or the pathway alongside the university building.
(Patrik Meier, Head of Facility Management)

Application deadlines for student exchange

SEMP-Programme (Swiss-European Mobility Programme, exchange within Europe): 1^st March 2018 for the autumn semester of 2018 and the spring semester of 2019
Partnership-Programme (exchange outside of Europe): 1^st March 2018 for the autumn semester 2018
CH-Unimobil-Programme (exchange within Switzerland): 15^th  April 2018 for the autumn semester 2018

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.
(Catrin Scheiber, Head of International Relations Office)

Student Administration Office

23^rd December until 2^nd January 2018: the Student Administration Office will remain closed.
General enquiries will be answered via studiendienste@unilu.ch 
We will be back on Wednesday, 3^rd January.

Infodesk

23^rd December until 7^th January 2018: the Infodesk will remain closed.
We will be back on Monday, 8^th January.

IT Services

23^rd December until 2^nd January 2018: the IT Helpdesk will remain closed.
E-Mails to helpdeskremove-this.@remove-this.unilu.ch will regularly be checked, however, we cannot guarantee an immediate handling of inquiries.
We will be back on Wednesday, 3^rd January.

Building

24^th-26^th December: building closed
27^th-30^th December: normal opening hours (7am-9:30pm; Sat 07:45am-15:30pm)
31^st December until 2^nd January: building closed

Library

27^th-30^th December: normal opening hours (7:30am-9:30pm; Sat 07:45am-3.30pm)
Sunday opening times for students: 17^th December, 7^th/14^4th und 21^st January, from 9am to 5 pm. More Info (in German, pdf)

Cafeteria

Until 22^nd December: normal opening hours 8am-4pm
27^th-29^th December: open from 9am-3pm; 30^th December 9am-1pm.

The 'Kaffeebox' will be closed from 22^nd December until 18^th February.

U-Change: 2nd Call

Project proposals can be submitted up until the 28^th February via www.u-change.ch. The funding programme 'U Change – Student initiatives for sustainable development' (2017-2020) finances student projects and structures for supporting student project work. It allows for independent project work, supports the development and implementation of student ideas and business plans, as well as further sustainable development initiatives. The project compliments university education. A key aspect of the funded projects is the collaboration with other students, with business, the public sector or NGOs.
(Wolfgang Schatz, Secretary General)

One week school holiday programme for children of students and staff

From the 16^th to the 20^th July 2018 a holiday programme for children of kindergarten and school age will again take place.
More Info, the programme and registration for the children of students and staff will be available from March 2018.
(Ariane de Rocchi, Office of Equal Opportunity)

University Sport Lucerne (HSCL): Winter sport offers

From the 8^th January until the 7^th February 2018, the winter holiday training (FTW18) will take place. During this time you will be able to take advantage of an attractive sports programme with 50 weekly trainings and numerous other courses. For dates and information on these offerings, please visit our website: Winter sport offers (German version).

We wish you a Merry Christmas and hope to see you in the New Year!
(Benedikt Nann, HSCL)