Posted in 2020

Dear students,

The recent measures to reduce the spread of the coronavirus have major consequences for society, TU Delft and our own private situations. We have asked our teachers and support staff to find as many ways as possible to continue lectures and other educational activities online. This is a huge undertaking, even for a technical university with an excellent reputation in the field of online education. At the moment, this transition to online education has our full attention.

Keep studying!

This extremely unusual situation requires flexibility and inventiveness. We are doing our utmost to ensure that education can be offered online as far as possible, so that any delays in studies are kept to a minimum. We urge you to do the same.

Keep an eye on Brightspace for the current state of affairs regarding your education. On the TU Delft homepage, you will find recent developments and information on the (practical) measures that TU Delft is taking, such as improved travel advice, access to buildings, advice for students who are abroad, etc. If you have any questions, please contact your study advisor.

Many questions – some awaiting answers

We are in a period of great uncertainty and this gives rise to a lot of questions, a lot about exams, such as: Will my exam take place? What about the binding recommendation (BSA)? Will the academic calendar remain unchanged and will the current registration dates still apply? Is there a financial support scheme? Can I start my master later if I have a study delay in my bachelor? And what if I want to continue studying at another university? What will happen to on-site and lab experiments that cannot be continued at this stage?

We are trying to provide clarity on these and other questions as far as possible, and as quickly as possible, but at the moment we still do not have all the answers. Unfortunately, in some cases we will not be able to prevent study delays. We have asked teachers to come up with solutions – where possible – for the students who are unable to meet their education obligations as a result of the preventative measures.

We have consulted with the Chairs of the Examination Committees about not being able to take interim examinations and partial tests. They have indicated that they will endeavour to limit the effects resulting from the measures. The Examination Board has already sufficient powers to offer solutions in the event of a study delay. We are also investigating what we can do about other consequences deriving from study delays, for example with regards to visa requirements, scholarships and housing rent.

We advise you to regularly visit both Brightspace and the homepage.

Need help?

• Do you find it hard to concentrate because of the hectic pace? Or are you worried? Maybe our ‘Gezondeboel’ e-health tool is something for you: https://www.tudelft.nl/en/gezondeboel
• Are you having trouble studying at home? Perhaps the ‘Study Skills Toolkit’ can be of help: https://www.tudelft.nl/en/student/counselling/essential-study-skills/
• Or do you have a question about your career? Take a look at our ‘Career Toolkit’: https://www.tudelft.nl/en/student/counselling/managing-your-career/
• Would you like to use our consultation hours with psychologists and academic counsellors? Then fill in the consent form and email it before 11:00. See: https://www.tudelft.nl/en/student/counselling/adjustments-with-regards-to-the-coronavirus/

Finally

It is impressive to see how everyone at TU Delft is dealing with the many challenges, the uncertainty and the emotions that this situation entails. We see many of you doing your best to continue with your studies while trying to slow down the spread of this infectious virus. We are also proud of the students who use their Delft inventiveness and can-do mentality to help others.

We express our gratitude, respect and admiration for you. Keep studying, take good care of your own health and of each other.

The Executive Board of TU Delft

Professor Tim van der Hagen, Rector Magnificus / President of the Executive Board
Professor Rob Mudde, Vice President for Education
Nicoly Vermeulen, Vice President for Operations

If you are a Dutch student currently abroad, an international exchange students at TU Delft, or an international degree student, please read the latest travel advice on the TU Delft website.

Today’s update regards the accessibility of university buildings and information on the requirements for the Thesis defence (conferral ceremony) for the coming period. Read the full text on the TU Delft website.

Keep an eye also on the Delta live blog for lots of news on our community – from creative solutions and interviews, to useful tips and virtual events – to keep you informed, share a smile and help us get through together this exceptional and trying time.

From 16 March 2020, until at least 6 April 2020 the Education and Student Affairs building (30A) on the Jaffalaan 9a will be closed due to the COVID-19 (Corona). Services for (coming) students are available via e-mail and telephone from Monday until Friday from 09:00u – 17:00u (CET).

E-mail: contactcentre-esa@tudelft.nl
Telephone: +31 (0)15-2788012

This afternoon, the Cabinet announced further additional measures to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

All current measures at TU Delft remain in force and are extended to 6 April; nonetheless the university remains fully committed to offering as much education as possible online.

In addition, as per the new measures, all on-campus catering will be closed with immediate effect.
At the risk of stating the obvious, on the insistence of the Cabinet, we request that everyone keeps an appropriate distance from one another, with a  distance of 1.5 m as a guideline.

All latest updates and information are regularly published on the TU Delft website.

As announced, TU Delft is taking far-reaching measures to prevent the further spread of the coronavirus. The health of our students and employees is our priority. At the same time, we feel a great responsibility to continue to educate our students.

The latest update on the TU Delft website regards:

• All education being offered online as much as possible in the coming period (a dedicated site is now live to support lecturers in implementing this)
• An updated travel policy whereby, until further notice, students are not allowed to (book) study-related trips – read the full details on the website.

TU Delft is busy implementing extended measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus and a lot is happening within the community. Follow the ‘Delta’ live blog to keep up to date.

The latest news on the adopted measures and further developments will continue to be published on the TU Delft website.
There you can now find new FAQs and information about:

• incurring extra costs due to the exceptional circumstances of the current situation
• whether students can still come to campus (see Question 3)
• what do about attending PhD conferral ceremonies (see Question 10).

In addition to the extended measures previously announced (see update of 12 March at 19:00), please note that from tomorrow, 13 March 2020 until at least 31 March 2020, there will be no on-campus education at TU Delft; this includes exams. 
In the coming period, education will be offered online as much as possible. Further instructions will follow. You are advised to keep an eye on Brightspace.

Due to the latest measures adopted by TU Delft to oppose the spreading of the coronavirus, the interactive theatre performance TIME OUT, scheduled on 17 and 18 March, has been cancelled.

For information and tools to help you deal with various challenges you can encounter in your busy study life, including tips on stress and self-management and on who to contact for further advice, please visit the Career & Counselling page on the student portal (scroll down the page to see the full range of options).

Read the latest update related to the coronavirus; this contain the extended measures TU Delft is taking following the Dutch Government’s decisions and guidelines announced this afternoon.