Older updates concerning coronavirus

Basic rules as of August 30

• As of August 30, a maximum group size applies of 75 persons, excluding lecturers and assistants, per separate space. We will drop the distancing rule only for educational and research activities where it is impossible to keep 1.5 meters distance.
• The 1.5 meters distance continues to apply for other activities inside buildings.
• Outside educational spaces, so in offices, corridors, and other hallways (large open spaces, e.g., the entrance hallway of a building), we wear a face mask when moving around and we keep 1.5 meters distance.

Additional information regarding measures as of August 30

Previous updates on this website have described what the announced relaxations and restrictions as of August 30 will mean in concrete terms. About a number of issues, such as how to deal with ceremonies, such as graduations and promotions, clarity is expected no later than August 27. Once this is known, the information will be updated in the FAQs on this corona website and communicated through other channels.

Vaccination

Have you not yet been vaccinated for COVID-19? We want to encourage you to get vaccinated in order to create a safe working and learning environment. We would like to draw your attention to the possibility to get your jab without an appointment at several GGD vaccination centers (Municipal Health Service). For more information, check out Walk-in vaccination center.

Working on campus

We still work from home as much as possible. Therefore, only go to campus for necessary work, such as teaching. Are you coming to the campus? Then do a self-test beforehand.

Face masks

In campus buildings, wearing a face mask will again be mandatory when moving as of August 30. We urge staff and students to do so now.

Mainly open, but safely and responsibly

The Dutch government has announced that we will be able to receive our students on our beautiful green campus again in the new academic year without social distancing in class. However, a number of additional preconditions apply for in-person education to take place in a responsible manner, such as a maximum group size of 75 students. We are very pleased with this important step for the education and welfare of our students and staff.

Below, we explain what the announced relaxations and restrictions as of August 30 will mean in practice. About a number of issues, such as how to deal with graduation ceremonies and promotions, clarity is expected next week. As soon as this information is available, it will be adjusted on the FAQ's on this corona website.

Education

For education, this means that classes, practicums and lectures with a maximum of 75 students will physically take place on campus. We will organize as many educational activities as possible on campus. In cases where that is not possible, the lecture will take place online.

What this means for the way in which your courses will be taught, will be communicated via Canvas. Additionally, students are advised to check their schedules regularly for any changes, as this new situation will entail timetable changes.

A safe working and learning environment

Face masks

In campus buildings, wearing a face mask is again mandatory when moving. 

Walking routes

There will be walking routes in the buildings again. Disinfection columns will continue to be available.

Self-testing

Self-testing remains important. Self-tests can still be ordered and delivered to your home at no cost through zelftestonderwijs.nl. We ask you to take a self-test at least twice a week, or before coming to campus. Self-tests can also be picked up at the counter in Academia building, the Mailroom in Koopmans building, and the counter in Meerkoldreef.

Vaccination

Have you not yet been vaccinated for COVID-19? We want to encourage you to get vaccinated in order to create a safe working and learning environment. We would like to draw your attention to the possibility to get your jab without an appointment at several GGD vaccination centers (Municipal Health Service). For more information, check out the Walk-in vaccination center.

Campus

Study places

We are looking into how the study places can be made available within the new guidelines. Non-scheduled classrooms can be used as free study places, without reservation. The student meeting rooms are available again at normal capacity (up to a maximum of 75) and can be reserved through Libcal. The study places are available during the opening hours of the buildings. 

Opening hours

Buildings will open as before, this means that all buildings (with the exception of Olympia, Restaurant and Library) will be open from 08:00 to 22:30 hrs.

• Restaurant: 08:30 - 20:00 hrs.
• Olympia: 08:00 - 24:00 hrs. Weekend 10:00 - 21:00 hrs. 
• Library: 08:00 - 23:00 hrs. Weekends 10:00 - 23:00 hrs.

Restaurant

The Restaurant is open from 08:30 to 20:00 hrs and has a maximum of 75 seats. The catering locations in CUBE and Cobbenhagen will reopen on August 30. Here too, a maximum of 75 seats will be made available.

Grand Café Esplanade

The Grand Café will reopen as of August 16, under the catering regulations.

Events

When organizing events on the campus, we would like to draw your attention to the website. For education-related events, such as the Opening Academic Year on 30 August, the new guidelines mean that a maximum of 75 people can be seated in a room, regardless of the size of the room. Contact Conference & Event Support if you want to organize something. They will be happy to think along with you and they know the current guidelines.

Update following the press conference of August 13, 2021

We were thrilled to watch this evening’s press conference. The Cabinet has announced that we will be able to receive our students on our beautiful green campus again in the new academic year without social distancing in class. However, a number of additional preconditions apply for physical education to take place in a responsible manner. We are very pleased with this important step for education and the wellbeing of our students and staff.

We are working out how the changed measures will pan out in practice for Tilburg University’s students, prospective students, and staff. Information about this will be published on this website and through various channels, so please keep an eye on our social media channels.

Working on campus 

Urgent advice to work from home 

Due to the strong increase in the number of people testing positive for COVID-19, the urgent advice to work from home as much as possible applies again as of July 15, 2021. This means that employees of Tilburg University will work from home as much as possible until further notice, unless this is really not possible.  

The starting points are:  

1. In principle, you work at home, unless the work requires physical presence. This is the case with: 

• Providing or supporting physical education, recording digital education, and testing; 
• Performing site-specific (lab) research; 
• Performing business critical processes and processes that are necessary to maintain overall business operations; 

2. The facilities we have for working safely on campus, we also want to offer as much as possible to people for whom working from home is difficult for various reasons. For example, the lack of a home workspace where you can work well or feelings of loneliness or monotony. 

Does your work require you to be physically present on campus? If so, the following applies: 

Prior to coming to campus: 

• Coordinate your presence on campus with your supervisor. You do not need to register your presence.   
• Ask you to take a self-test and only come to campus if it is negative. The self-test is voluntary. 

During your presence on campus: 

• Do you follow the national general (hygiene) guidelines of the government and the RIVM,  
• Observe the additional Corona Guidelines of Tilburg University.  
• Keep a record of who you have had contact with in case you are asked to participate in a GGD contact investigation. 

Order self-tests  

Under no circumstances should you come to the campus if: 

• You have symptoms that fit corona or if you have tested positive for corona; 
• Your roommate has symptoms that fit with corona or your roommate has tested positive for corona; 
• You have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for corona;   
• You have a positive result from a self-test; 
• You are returning from a risk area designated by the Dutch government and a duty of home quarantine applies. 

At its press conference of June 18, 2021, the government specified more corona measures that will be relaxed as from June 26, 2021.

Working on campus as from June 28, 2021

The government’s recommendation to work from home as much as possible will change: as from June 26, 2021 staff currently working from home may return to work at the office up to half of their hours, provided 1.5 meters distancing can be observed. The basic rules – such as staying at home and getting tested when Covid-19 symptoms are showing – must still be followed. If 1.5 meters distancing cannot be observed at the office, staff are recommended to continue to work from home as much as possible.

• As from June 28, 2021, a maximum occupancy rate of 30% will apply to each floor of all campus buildings, provided 1.5 meters distancing can be observed. We call on management to monitor that 30% occupancy rate.
• If you want to work on campus, please make arrangements with your manager beforehand. You no longer need to register to work on campus, but if you want to come to campus, we call on you to self-test beforehand. Self-testing is voluntary and home test kits can be ordered free of charge at www.zelftestonderwijs.nl/.
• No more than one person is allowed in any office space where workstations cannot be positioned at 1.5 meters distance. If you share an office and you and your colleague(s) must be at the office at the same time and you cannot observe the proper distance, please reach out to your manager for alternative office space.
• Meetings should continue to be held online as much as possible.

Frameworks and guidelines for hybrid working are at an advanced stage. More information will be made available before the summer.

Campus measures as from June 28, 2021

• One-way traffic in buildings and on campus will cease to apply, but please continue to observe 1.5 meters distancing at all times and please negotiate narrow passageways quickly.
• Face masks need no longer be worn in any public campus areas and in any corridors of campus buildings, but we respect those who wish to continue to wear face masks.
• Face masks need only continue to be worn in spaces where 1.5 meters distancing cannot be observed. For example, should you need to work in situations where 1.5 meters distancing cannot be ensured, such as close physical proximity in labs, the rules for contact professions apply: face masks must be worn and visitors must register. If you have questions, please contact your manager or the Health & Safety officer.
• At high-frequency contact locations, such as service and reception desks, safety screens will remain in place, but staff need no longer wear face masks.

Events as from June 28, 2021 

• INDOOR events are allowed, provided the number of persons present does not exceed the room capacity at 1.5 meters distancing. In view of the 1.5 meters distancing measure and the maximum number of persons allowed per square meter, functions and get-togethers in the foyers are not yet allowed.
• At events, singing and the use of wind instrument as forms of entertainment are allowed. Requests are to be made through Conference and Event Support (CES) by e-mail, or by telephone at +31 (0)13 - 466 8552.
• Groups up to 70 persons are allowed to congregate OUTDOORS at 1.5 meters distance. Please contact CES for information about options and points to consider (also for possibilities for groups with more than 70 persons).
• At walk-through degree certificate award ceremonies, a maximum of four (4) guests are allowed to accompany each graduating student. Outdoors, more guests are allowed to congregate, provided they do so at 1.5 meters distance.

Good news! On June 18, the government announced relaxations in the approach to the coronavirus as of June 26. We are working out what the new measures will mean for Tilburg University’s students and staff in concrete terms. Information about this will be published on this website and through various channels. Keep an eye on our social media channels.

On May 11, the government announced relaxations in the approach to the coronavirus as of May 18  (provided that infection rates will increase). We are working out what the new measures will mean for Tilburg University in concrete terms. Information about this will be published on this website and through the channels of the Sports Center.

It is now possible for students and staff from our university to order free home testing kits via the website www.zelftestonderwijs.nl. Doing a home test is not a precondition for individual students or lecturers to be admitted to the classroom. However, Tilburg University does encourage using home tests.

You only administer a home test if you do not have any corona-related symptoms and plan to come to the campus. Do you have any corona-related symptoms or does your home test show a positive result? Then stay at home and make an appointment with the Municipal Health Service (GGD) to have yourself tested.

You can find more information on home tests in the FAQs on coronavirus on campus under “Home test kits”.

As of April 28, due to relaxations from the government, more is possible on campus. This means, in addition to the expansions for education as communicated in the April 21 update, among other things:

• A maximum of 30 guests are welcome at study-related meetings of study associations. We ask students to take a home test before coming to our campus for this events.
• For PHD defenses and inaugural and valedictory addresses led by the Beadle, 30 guests are welcome. We ask visitors, as well as our staff and students, to take a home test themselves before coming to our campus.
• Graduation ceremonies are possible according to the "walk-through" variant on the weekends. The student will hear from their study program what his or her graduation ceremony will look like. Each student may bring two people. We ask visitors, as well as our staff and students, to take a home test before coming to our campus.
• The restaurant (Mensa) will be open for take-away lunch from 11:00 - 14:00 hrs. No seating will be available.
• With the elimination of curfew, there are once again opportunities to expand hours for sports. Look for current opportunities in the reservation app or on the website.
• Please check our website for adjusted opening hours of our buildings.

We are doing our level best to ensure that students can come to campus one day a week for educational activities such as seminars and supervised group work. Capacity will be used to the fullest extent possible within the parameters set by the government. As the safety measures currently in place (including the 1.5 meters distancing measure) will continue to apply, capacity for the time being will remain limited, but we are doing everything that can be done. Students will be informed through Canvas about the activities that will take place on campus.

Study together 

To enable as many students as possible to engage in on-campus education together, unscheduled education areas will be made available for unsupervised group work, provided the basic corona measures are observed at all times: maintain 1.5 meters of physical distance to others, wear a face mask when moving around, and disinfect hands. Unscheduled education areas need not be booked in advance. Students may occupy study places that carry green markings on showing the corona proctors their Tilburg University cards on request. Lecture room cleaning will be intensified. Group work areas and places for independent study can be booked via Libcal. Education areas, study places, and group work areas are available for use to all students on all days. For more information, please go to study places.

Home test kits

Supplementing the current safety measures, COVID-19 home test kits will be made available to students and staff free of charge. This additional safety measure will enable students and staff to take corona tests at home before participating in face-to-face on-campus education. Use of home test kits is voluntary and unsupervised. Individual students’ or lecturers’ access to educational activities is not conditional on their taking a home test. Tilburg University recommends using home test kits. “The sooner we can return to campus life, the better,” chair Dahran Çoban of student organization ISO agrees. “That is why it is important that all students use these home test kits, because every day of on-campus classes is a day gained.”

Home test kits can be ordered via a nationwide portal, which students and staff of Tilburg University can access through their Tilburg University accounts. Ordered home test kits will be sent free of charge to the specified address. The home test kit order option on the nationwide portal are available at www.zelftestonderwijs.nl. More information on using home test kits can be found under ‘home test kits’ in the FAQ section.

At its press conference on Tuesday, April 20, the government announced relaxations in the coronation measures in force. A positive decision was also made about the planned opening of higher education. We are very happy that we can offer our students some perspective with this. As of April 28 (the university will be closed on April 26 and 27 due to King's Day), there will be more possibilities for our students. Students will be informed through Canvas about the activities that will take place on campus. Also see the update of 14-4 on this website about on campus education.

Supplementing the current safety measures, COVID-19 home test kits will be made available to students and staff free of charge. Use of home test kits is voluntary and unsupervised. Students and staff can request free self-tests, which will then be delivered to their homes. More information about the self-tests and the ordering process can be found starting April 21 at www.zelftestonderwijs.nl and on this website. More information is already available on the central government website.

At its press conference of Tuesday, April 13, 2021, the government announced that the corona measures currently in place will remain in force up to and including April 28, 2021. The decision on reopening higher education has regrettably been deferred, yet we hope that next week the government will decide to allow campus to reopen for educational activities as of April 28, 2021 (the university is closed on April 26 and 27, 2021 on account of King’s day). This decision is dependent on the epidemiological situation as it is at that time. We will continue our preparations to be ready when we may once again open our campus.

Specifically, these preparations concern the following aspects:

• We are doing our level best to ensure that students may come to campus one day a week for educational activities such as seminars and supervised group work. Capacity will be used to the fullest extent possible within the parameters set by the government. As the safety measures currently in place (including the 1.5 meters distancing measure) will continue to apply, capacity for the time being will remain limited, but we are doing everything that can be done. Students will be informed through Canvas about the activities that will take place on campus.
• To enable as many students as possible the opportunity to study together, unscheduled education areas will be made available for unsupervised group work, provided the corona measures in place are observed at all times. Students may occupy study places that carry green markings without having to book them in advance, but while on campus they must be able to show the corona proctors their Tilburg University cards on request.
• Supplementing the current safety measures, COVID-19 home test kits will be made available to students and staff free of charge. This additional safety measure will enable students and staff to take corona tests at home before participating in face-to-face on-campus education. Use of home test kits is voluntary and unsupervised. Individual students’ or lecturers’ access to educational activities is not conditional on taking a home test. More information on availability, order procedure, user instructions, and guidelines regarding the home test kits will be published as soon as possible via a number of channels, including the Tilburg University & corona website. More information is already available on the central government website.

If and when campus reopens, the following guidelines for staff working on campus will apply:

• Staff in principle work from home, unless their duties necessitate their physical presence on campus. These duties are:
  • Providing or supporting face-to-face on-site education, recording digital education, and examination;
  • Conducting on-site laboratory research;
  • Executing vital operations as well as processes needed to maintain overall operations.
• Those on-campus facilities in place to create a safe working environment we aim to offer first and foremost to staff for whom working from home is challenging, for example because they lack a proper home office or because they experience feelings of loneliness or monotony.
• When the COVID-19 home test kits have become available to students and staff, staff may for additional safety take such a test at home before coming to campus. The rule remains that staff who experience complaints should on no account come to campus before they have been tested for corona at an official municipal (GGD) corona test site and the result of that test has come back negative.
• It follows that the nature of the work and the physical presence it requires together with the wellbeing of the member of staff concerned are decisive in determining whether working on campus is possible or necessary. It also follows that staff who have already been vaccinated do not come first in being allowed to come to campus. And finally, it implies that staff whose duties necessitate their physical presence are expected to come to campus. More information about working on campus can also be found in the FAQs for employees on the corona website.

At the press conference of April 20, 2021, we hope to be given a definitive decision on the intended reopening. More information about the deferred decision and the potential reopening can be found on the VSNU website. Keep up with developments at Tilburg University via the Tilburg University & corona website.

In weeks 22-28 (May 31-July 18), some Tilburg University exams will be administered at the Ireen Wüst ice skating rink in Tilburg. The reason for moving to this location is to ensure that in person exams can be administered safely, taking into account the distancing rules.

In total, the ice rink can accommodate approximately 700 students, divided into three zones, allowing different exams to be administered simultaneously. For more information on protocols, walk routes, and facility issues (e.g., the quality of the light, the temperature, toilet facilities) will be communicated via this website as soon as possible.

The location of your exam is stated on the exam notification.

During the press conference on Tuesday, April 13, the government announced that the corona measures in force will be extended until April 28. The decision on reopening Higher Education has unfortunately been postponed. Nevertheless, we hope that next week the decision will be made to open the campus for educational activities from April 28 (the university will be closed on April 26 and 27 due to King's Day). We will continue to prepare for this so that we will be ready when it is possible and allowed again. More information about the postponed decision and possible reopening can be found on the website of the VSNU, Association of Universities in the Netherlands (in Dutch only). Follow the developments at Tilburg University via the Tilburg University & corona website.

In line with what was announced at the outgoing cabinet’s press conference of March 23, 2021, measures in place at Tilburg University regarding on-campus education will for now not be relaxed. The good news is that they may well be as of April 26, 2021. Using the government’s guidelines, including those on preventive testing and self-testing, we will do our level best to come up with a proposal offering students on-campus education at least one day a week. Check this website for updates.

We are keenly aware of the immense social impact of distance education. That is why together with our collaborative partners we have been exploring how we may expand facilities within the parameters set by the government. For example, in the LocHal library in Tilburg, as of last Saturday every day 100 workstations will be available for studying. And we are happy to announce that as of April 1, 2021, all bookable study places that allow for keeping a distance of at least 1.5 meters will once more be available. This measure concerns individual study places and student meeting rooms. These can be booked by all Tilburg University students through the Libcal system. More information, such as a link to the booking system and the booking rules, will be published on the corona web page of Tilburg University shortly.

We are also happy to note that our students have not been idle either; many wonderful initiatives have recently been launched. Details on some of these can be found on the web page We Are Tilburg University.

We endorse the national Heart for Students campaign (in Dutch) and we hope to bring you more news soon. In the meantime we urge you to stay connected and to look out for each other!

One year ago, COVID-19 reached our country. A year ago, also on the government’s invitation and in close alignment with our fellow universities, we began instituting measures on campus to counter the spread of the virus, which eventually led to an almost completely digitally functioning university. Many people, including you, have been working hard to accomplish this.

We know that online education is hard on you, and we are doing everything we can to achieve the highest possible level of on-campus activities within the limiting possibilities. We have been in constant discussion about this with the government at VSNU level.

It is, therefore, very disappointing that now that the government has announced small relaxations of the coronavirus measures, they do not concern the essence of the university: education and research in actual encounters. Students and staff yearn for the restrictions to be eased. We are concerned about your welfare. We regret the government's attitude, and together with the VSNU, we appeal for the return of on-campus education as soon as possible, within the coronavirus rules of course.

There has been some relief, however, by expanding opportunities for outdoor sports, and we will facilitate where we can. We continue to offer study spaces to students who cannot study well at home. If you cannot manage at home, check this website to see how you can apply for this.

Furthermore, we continue to push, with the other universities, for more possibilities for on-campus education and ask the government in the near future:

• Quickly return to the social distancing situation (one and a half meters) from before December 16. We are investigating, with the other universities, what is possible in order to be able to offer physical education as much as possible again in the new academic year. We must set a course together so that we can then phase out the social distancing in lecture halls.
• Increased focus on promoting students' mental well-being.
• Allowing universities more room to offer self-study opportunities. All universities showed last year that we are able to organize that safely within the social distancing guidelines and based on registrations.

We are doing everything in our power to support you during this difficult time. Hang in there. There is a glimmer of hope. Stay healthy, look out for each other, and do not hesitate to contact us if you need to.

The Executive Board

Wim van de Donk
Jantine Schuit
Paulina Snijders

The government has declared small relaxations of the corona measures, but unfortunately they do not as yet apply to the essence of the university: teaching and research. Students and staff yearn for the restrictions to be widened. We regret this attitude of the government, and together with the VSNU we call for the return of on-campus education as soon as possible (in Dutch only), of course within the corona rules. 

In the short term, we therefore urge the government to:

• Let the universities quickly return to one and a half meter situation of before 16/12.
• Pay more attention to promoting the mental well-being of students, now that fortunately the opportunities for sports have been expanded.
• Accept pilots to work in phases towards September 1, to loosen the one and a half meter by, among other things, quick tests.

More information on the expansion of opportunities for the Sports Center can be found on the Sports Center website. 

Extension of measures

On February 2, the government announced an extension of the current corona measures until March 2, as well as some relaxations, such as the reopening of primary schools. These relaxations do not entail any changes for Tilburg University. The measures that are now in force will also be extended at Tilburg University until March 2. All applicable measures can be found on this website.

Classes in the second semester

The second semester of the 2020-2021 academic year is about to start: a moment when we had hoped to provide more residential instruction and to welcome more students to the campus. However, given the government’s corona measures, it is not possible to provide classes on the campus.

This means that, at least in the first block of the second semester, classes will be offered online for all students. In our view, meeting face-to-face is an important part of academic education and, as soon as the situation allows us to get together on campus, we will supplement our online delivery with physical activities on campus.

In the second semester, exams will take place in the same way as in the first semester: both online and on campus. All exams that take place on campus will simultaneously be offered online for those students who cannot come to the campus because of COVID-19-related restrictions. We will continue to monitor the developments and follow the rules at all times and we guarantee that classes will be provided taking into account the government’s rules. Safety must always come first.

BSA standard for academic year 2020-2021 reduced

In view of the corona crisis, Dutch universities have chosen to reduce the standards for the binding study advice (BSA) by between 10% and 15% for the current academic year. This means that first-year students can continue to the second year of their program with fewer ECTS. Read more in this article.

This also applies at Tilburg University. We acknowledge the increasing pressure on the wellbeing of our first-year students and have therefore decided to lower the BSA standard from 42 to 36 credits for this academic year. This means that first-year students who started their studies in 2020-2021 must obtain 36 credits this academic year for a positive binding study advice (BSA) in order to be admitted to the second year of their program.

What this means for other students who are affected by the BSA standard will be decided as soon as possible and communicated on the FAQ for students web page.

Please visit the page on Binding Study Advice for more information.

As of January 20, 2021, the on-campus Restaurant (mensa) is temporarily closed. 

At its press conference of Tuesday, January 12, 2020, the government announced its decision to extend the corona measures currently in place until February 9, 2021. Although we all feel the need to meet on campus, the government’s decision leaves Tilburg University with no choice but to extend its measures, too.

Specific measures are in place for higher education. The measures stated below apply to Tilburg University. These measures took effect on Wednesday, December 16, 2020 and will remain in force until at least February 9, 2021.

Education

• Until February 9, 2021 there will be no classes on campus. 

Exams

• Exams continue as planned, including on-campus exams.

Study places

• Students are requested to study at home. For students who have difficulties studying at home, a limited number of 200 library study places remain available, on pre-registration only. Other study places are closed. To find out if you are eligible for a library study place, please contact studentsupport@tilburguniversity.edu, stating your student number and reasons for applying. 

Research and support activities

• Research must be done from home (with the exception of laboratory work), unless it can only be done on site.
• Labs are open only when necessary, provided basic rules can be guaranteed.

Events, meetings and ceremonies

• Events and meetings only take place online.
• PhD defense ceremonies and inaugural speeches are in principle online and in any case without a live audience in attendance.

Catering

• The restaurant remains open for takeout sandwiches & meals. The seating areas are closed.

Sports

• Indoor sports are not permitted and changing rooms are closed.
• Outdoor sports can only be played with a maximum of 2 people at a distance of 1.5 meters.

Campus

• All buildings remain open for exams and necessary support activities.
• The library remains open for borrowing materials and for printing. Check the website for current opening hours.

Employees

• The office buildings are still only available for necessary work. We will maintain the registration of this. Support activities are performed from home as much as possible, unless they necessitate on-campus presence and/or for compelling personal circumstances. In all cases, prior supervisor approval and registration of the visit to campus with the Corona Coordinator are required. Teachers only work on campus to record digital lectures in the studios available for that purpose.
• We appreciate the concerns of staff who as a result of the closure of their children’s elementary schools and childcare facilities are either unavailable for work or are available for reduced working hours only. These members of staff are requested to explore solutions by spreading and/or adjusting working hours and to make arrangements in consultation with their manager. The working hours these members of staff are unable to work qualify as full-pay leave. This leave need not be applied for.
• Lecturers and education support staff are considered key workers. Consequently, just as last spring, their children can go to childcare, elementary school, and out-of-school care.

Details of all measures can be found in the FAQ sections on this website.

On December 14, 2020 the government announced new, stricter corona measures. With Christmas drawing near, we would have liked things to be different, but the coronavirus is once again spreading rapidly. The unfortunate effect of the new measures is that the Netherlands goes into its strictest lockdown to date.

Specific measures are in place for higher education, and from Wednesday, December 16, 2020 until at least  Monday, January 18, 2021 the following measures apply to Tilburg University:

Education

• Until Sunday, January 17, 2021 there will be no classes on campus. 

Exams

• Exams continue as planned, including on-campus exams after Wednesday, December 16, 2020.

Study places

• We ask students to study at home. For students who have difficulties studying at home, a limited number of 200 library study places remain available, on pre-registration only. Other study places are closed. Students can contact: studentsupport@tilburguniversity.edu stating their student number and reasons to see if they are eligible for a workstation in the Library. 

Research and support activities

• Research must be done from home (with the exception of laboratory work), unless it can only be done on site.
• Labs are open only when necessary, provided basic rules can be guaranteed.

Events, meetings and ceremonies

• Events and meetings only take place online.
• PhD defense ceremonies and inaugural speeches are in principle online and in any case without a live audience in attendance.

Catering

• The restaurant remains open for takeout sandwiches & meals. The seating areas are closed.

Sports

• Indoor sports are not permitted and changing rooms are closed.
• Outdoor sports can only be played with a maximum of 2 people at a distance of 1.5 meters.

Campus

• All buildings remain open and close at 7 pm.
• The library remains open for borrowing materials and for printing.

Employees

• We appreciate the concerns of staff who as a result of the closure of their children’s elementary schools and childcare facilities are either unavailable for work or are available for reduced working hours only. These members of staff are requested to explore solutions by spreading and/or adjusting working hours and to make arrangements in consultation with their manager. The working hours these members of staff are unable to work qualify as full-pay leave. This leave need not be applied for.
• Lecturers and education support staff are considered key workers. Consequently,, just as last spring, their children can go to childcare, elementary school ,and out-of-school care.
• Support activities are performed from home as much as possible, unless they necessitate on-campus presence and/or for compelling personal circumstances. In all cases, prior supervisor approval and registration of the visit to campus with the Corona Coordinator are required. 

Details of all measures can be found in the FAQ sections on this website.

New measures; exams continue as planned

On December 14, the cabinet announced tighter corona measures.

Within these new measures, exams may continue as planned, both online and on campus, and also after next Wednesday.

We are working on specific implementation of all measures for Tilburg University. Information on this will be published on this website.

In response to the press conference of November 3, several extra measures have been taken at Tilburg University. The measures are mainly aimed at keeping movement to and from the campus to an absolute minimum. The measures mentioned below will take effect on November 5 at 08:00 hrs and will continue in any case until November 17.

Campus and publicly accessible areas

• The university library remains open to the use of a limited number of self-study workplaces for students and employees of Tilburg University.  These self-study workplaces must be reserved in advance. Access is only possible upon presentation of a valid Tilburg University card.
• The self-study rooms remain open on weekdays and weekends. Group rooms where 4 people could make reservations are reduced to a maximum of 2 people. If no reservation can be made (via screenshot), please leave the pitch.
• Additional checks are carried out by stewards on compliance with measures and the 1.5m distance in the self-study areas.
• Only meetings that are necessary for the daily operations of the university can continue to take place.
• It is allowed to gather with a maximum of 2 people from different households outside on campus.
• The Brabant collection will be temporarily closed.

Sport

• For the next two weeks all group lessons at the Sports Center will be cancelled. Sports can only be played individually at 1.5m distance or two individuals playing a duel (e.g. tennis). Group lessons are removed from the timetable and the enrollment module.
• The fitness area remains open.
• Sports memberships will be extended by 2 weeks to compensate for the cancelation of group lessons.

Graduation ceremonies and promotions

• To limit travel movements as much as possible, the graduation ceremonies scheduled for the next two weeks will be postponed. The students concerned will be informed personally.
• Promotions will take place in the next 2 weeks without an audience. The following people may be present at promotions: (co)promotors, the beadle, the PhD student, and AV technicians. The PhD students concerned will be contacted personally as soon as possible.

The additional corona measures that took effect on November 4, 2020 have not been extended. As a result, the measures that now apply are the ones that were in place two weeks ago. The information on the website and in the Frequently Asked Questions has been modified accordingly.

Education in the second semester

We are aware of the fact that circumstances in these corona times are uncertain and that the situation and the government’s measures can change quickly. Still, we are working hard on scenarios on how to provide the education in the second semester of this academic year. We go on the principle that education takes place as much as possible on campus, for students who want to come to the campus and are able to do so. The other point of departure is always: safety first. Classes will only be offered within the frameworks and guidelines set by the government.

We guarantee that all education in the second semester will also be offered online. Since we think that meeting physically is an important part of academic education, educational activities will be organized on campus if the situation permits.

Tilburg University strives to ensure, in the second semester, that the space available is used as efficiently as possible to allow more students to participate in educational activities on campus than in the first semester. 

Our priority is face-to-face education for first-year Bachelor’s students. We are very much aware of the fact that second and third-year Bachelor’s students, too, would love to meet each other on campus. We will therefore make every effort, wherever possible, to create opportunities for on-campus activities also for these students.

We will pro-actively respond to developments and measures at all times and guarantee that education activities always comply with government guidelines. Also in the new circumstance, the motto continues to be: ‘On campus if we can | Online because we can’.

Supplementary regulations for on-campus exams

Given the recent corona developments, Tilburg University has decided to adopt supplementary regulations for students who now prefer to do an exam online rather than on campus.

These regulations apply as long as the government’s COVID-19 risk level is 4 (severe). Students who, in connection with the government’s COVID-19 measures, prefer to take an exam online can register for a proctored online exam.

New measures; on-campus education and exams continue as planned

At its press conference of October 13, 2020, the cabinet announced tighter corona measures. This is a difficult message for everyone, but it is necessary that the rapid spread of the virus be contained. We do understand this does not ease the situation for staff and students. Even so, we are glad that despite the many restrictions in place on-campus education can continue as planned. We renew our call for students and staff to abide by the corona measures, because that compliance will allow us to continue to use what limited capacity is available for on-campus education.

Specifically, the following measures are in force:

• On-campus educational activities and exams continue as planned, at 1.5 meters distance. Education is exempted from the maximum group size of 30 people. We continue to accommodate large groups both in education and during exams. All rooms have been set up to meet the 1.5 meters distance requirement.
• Students, staff, suppliers, and visitors moving in or through indoor spaces must wear face masks. In class, during exams, and when seated at a study place or workplace, face masks may be removed, provided the 1.5 meters distance is observed.
• The on-campus study places remain available by reservation.
• PhD defense ceremonies and graduation meetings may be organized as small-scale events. The same restrictions apply to gatherings such as certificate award ceremonies and inaugural lectures.
• Staff work from home, unless working on campus is absolutely necessary. Staff only come to campus for on-site work, such as teaching. Staff who cannot work from home due to personal circumstances may come to campus in consultation with their supervisor. Staff moving in or through on-campus indoor spaces must wear face masks.
• Other on-campus facilities not related to education comply with the measures announced yesterday:
• Grand Café Esplanade will close and is looking into carry-out options.  The restaurant (Mensa) remains open. 
• The Sports Center can be used only (1) if the 1.5 meters distance is observed, (2) by individuals or groups of no more than 4 people, and (3) upon registration. Competitive events are not allowed. Showers, changing rooms, and canteens are closed. Except during exercise, face masks must be worn in the Sport Center’s indoor spaces. Associations will be informed separately about the specific measures that apply to them.

Following announcements made by the Dutch Cabinet during the press conference on August 6, the organization of TOP Week is in consultation with the City of Tilburg, Tilburg University, and other relevant organizations on the activities during Tilburg University’s welcome week. Any changes to the program will be communicated as soon as possible at the TOP Week website: www.top-week.nl/en. In addition, the University will also consult with all study, student, and sports associations on their introduction week activities. Information on this subject can be found on the websites of the associations concerned.

Extension opening hours buildings for employees per July 6

As of Monday, July 6, the opening hours of offices for employees will be further extended.

• Simon building                    08:30 - 20:30 hrs
• Dante building                    08:30 - 20:30 hrs
• Montesquieu building    08:30 - 20:30 hrs - The Montesquieu Learning  Center closes at 17:30 
• Koopmans building          08:30 - 20:30 hrs
• CUBE                                        08:30 - 17:00 hrs

Other buildings are open from 08:30 - 17:30 hrs. Contact security (+31 (0)13 - 466 3000) for presence after 17:30 hrs.

As a result of the relaxation of the corona measures announced on 24 June, 64 extra study places will be available on campus as of July 1. Please note that the number of study places is still relatively limited, so reservation is required.

You can reserve a study place by calling the Facility Service Desk at (+31) (0)13 - 466 3700 between 9:00 and 11:00 hrs. You can reserve a study place for the next working day. This place will then be available to you all day long. Upon arrival you need to report to the desk of the building where you have reserved a workspace (Library or Montesquieu) with your Tilburg University Card. 

If you come to the campus to study, please follow the advice of the RIVM:

• If you have any symptoms: get tested and stay at home until the results are known.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water.
• Cough and sneeze into your elbow.
• Use paper tissues to blow your nose and discard them after use.
• Do not shake hands.
• Stay 1.5 meters (2 arms lengths) away from other people.
• Work from home as much as possible.

The up-to-date situation with regard to the measures at Tilburg University and the planning for the new steps can be found on our special web page Tilburg University & corona. 

On June 24, the Government announced new easing measures concerning the corona crisis as of July 1. At Tilburg University, we are looking into the opportunities these measures are offering us, for opening up the campus and making physical meetings possible. The up-to-date situation with regard to the principles at Tilburg University and the planning for the new steps can be found on our special web page Tilburg University & corona.

In the context of these new governmental measures, the following actions are being taken at Tilburg University:

• Investigate how we can optimally use the easing of measures (also with regard to the use of public transport) for scheduling on campus education activities in the new academic year
• Investigate what is possible after July 1 with regard to meetings on campus
• Expand the number of study places on campus and introduce a reservation system
• Prepare further opening of the Sports Center

In line with the national protocol of the VSNU (Association of Universities in the Netherlands), the office buildings will open from July 1 for use up to a maximum of 20%. Opening hours of the buildings will be adjusted in accordance with the coming holiday period. The buildings will be open from 8:30 to 17:00 hrs.

Information on the elaboration of the these points will be published on this website as soon as possible.

Education in the academic year 2020-2021 will start on 31 August. Our campus has limited access due to the coronavirus. The government is monitoring closely how the coronavirus is developing, and will relax the intelligent lockdown measures step by step, as soon as circumstances permit.

We guarantee that we will offer ALL our education online for the first semester. However, in our opinion, physical proximity among the university community is an important part of academic education. Therefore, we strive to provide some small-scale classes (e.g., seminars) on campus if possible.

To help smooth the transition to higher education, priority will be given to first-year Bachelor’s students who are able to follow some components of their program on campus. These components will most likely be combined on 1 day per week. We encourage students to make use of this opportunity.  Should the corona measures announced by the government prevent you from coming to campus, online education options are available.

How many small-scale educational activities will also be available for new (pre-) master students and our current bachelor and (pre-) master students depends very much on the possibilities given to us by the Dutch government and the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment. These have a direct effect on our maximum capacity of the campus and public transport. These capacity calculations are currently being made.

More information can be found on our special web page Tilburg University & corona.

On May 19, the Government announced new relaxations of the corona measures. The universities have made agreements about the implementation, which have been recorded in the Protocol for Resuming Activities at Universities. This protocol sets out, among other things, the basic principles that universities adhere to when resuming activities and which activities have top priority in the coming weeks.

Because we all feel the need to see each other and because the social connection and contacts are so important, we at Tilburg University are also looking at what is possible within the set frameworks in the coming period. This perspective will be worked out in a Roadmap (Spoorboekje).

As of June 1 and June 15, Tilburg University has implemented relaxations on the basis of this Roadmap. There will be no switch to large-scale physical on-campus examinations and the current forms of (alternative) online examinations and associated examination schedules will be continued. However, there has been some increase in office spaces and study spaces for special target groups. This went well, and we have all shown that we can increasingly use the campus in a responsible, conscious, and safe manner.

As of July 1, the following expansions of measures are adopted, which will apply until September 1:

• Office buildings will reopen for use up to a maximum of 20% of the normal occupancy per floor, for necessary work and as far as 1.5 meters distance can be guaranteed.
• PhD defense ceremonies are allowed in the Auditorium with a maximum of 10 guests. No catering/reception.
• Reopening fitness and virtual lessons at the Sports Center (more information via the website of the Sports Center).
• Reopening of the 2nd phase of the horeca and retail (more information will follow).
• Teacher training courses (especially aimed at online education) are again allowed in groups of a maximum of 10 people.
• Meetings allowed for employees of up to 12 people on request in the Reitse Toren Building. A maximum of 10 rooms available as a pilot project (reservations via Webroombooking). Students cannot book rooms.

All relaxations are organized in accordance with the guidelines of the Government and the RIVM. Further information on how the above will work in practice can be found in the FAQs, which are updated on a daily basis.

The motto in these uncertain times remains: “On campus if you can, online because you can.”

To determine the impact of the coronavirus on foreign exchanges, the VSNU (Association of Universities in the Netherlands) has established a framework based on governmental guidelines. Within this framework, Tilburg University decides whether the exchange can proceed according to plan. The considerations are: a negative travel advice by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the decision of the partner university to cancel the exchange or in case a student withdraws from the exchange program.

Since students are not allowed to travel to countries with code red or orange, Tilburg University will check the status of destinations in EEA countries at the partner institution two weeks before the start of the academic year and, if necessary, cancel the travel. This assessment has now been carried out for destinations outside the EEA. Therefore, exchanges outside the EEA countries are canceled. The students involved have been informed.

All students have the right to withdraw from the exchange program at any time.

All students selected for an exchange in fall 2020 are offered alternative scenarios. Certain deadlines may apply to this. If students sign up for one of the alternatives, the student should withdraw from the exchange program for procedural reasons. The International Office will approach students for follow-up steps from 25 May.

For incoming exchange, the university plans to assess whether foreign exchange students can be welcomed on 1 July 2020, based on the framework conditions such as safety and sufficient on-campus education.

On May 19, 2020, the government announced corona easing measures. The Dutch universities have drawn up a Restart Protocol that outlines how they will implement these measures. The protocol includes restart principles as well as activities that are key priorities in the coming weeks.

Following these principles, Tilburg University will draw its own roadmap. We will take great care in doing so, because safeguarding the safety and health of our students and staff comes first. As we are social creatures in need of connectedness, we will of course also encourage social contacts and togetherness to the extent allowed by the easing measures.

On June 1, 2020, we will take the first step towards opening up our campus and in doing so we will adhere to the following principles:

• We will all continue to work from home as much as possible until and unless the government indicates otherwise.
• Office buildings will reopen up to 10% of normal occupancy per floor for necessary activities and insofar as a 1.5 meter distance can be guaranteed. Staff will be informed by management.
• Labs will reopen for restricted use in keeping with the guidelines. Lab coordinators will be consulted to work out details.
• Boards of study associations will be informed about conditions of use of offices in the Esplanade and Tias buildings.
• The catering in Esplanade will partly reopen and focuses on picking up lunch on order and food on reservation. The terrace will also open. All this within the guidelines that apply to the catering industry.
• The Auditorium will reopen for PhD defense ceremonies, with attendance being restricted to the PhD candidate, (co)promotors, the beadle, the chair, and an AV technician. The promotional committee members participate via videoconferencing and the audiences can watch a live stream.
• Outdoor work areas on campus will be extended for outdoor meetings. Participants must maintain a 1.5 meter distance.
• Events and social gatherings such as drinks parties remain prohibited. Conference & Event Support, formerly known as Conference Desk, will help organizers search for external venues.

For universities the easing measures also imply that as of June 15 they may resume offering on-campus education on a small scale. Large-scale on-campus examinations are out of the question and the current forms of alternative/online exams as well as the revised exam schedules remain in force.

• Extending on-campus study areas for special groups of students is being considered.
• Online on-campus exam options for special groups of students are being considered.

Additional information on the implementation will follow.

All easing measures will comply with the guidelines issued by the government and the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM). Information about the practical impact of the principles outlined above will follow.

Our motto in these uncertain times remains unchanged: ‘On campus if we can, online because we can’.

The VSNU (Association of Universities in the Netherlands) posted a corona-update today (Dutch only, English version will follow), that includes the joint guidelines on exchange. Tilburg University's policy, based on the national guidelines, will be further developed in the coming days and will be published on this website as soon as possible.

The corona crisis and the measures taken to prevent the further spread of the virus have deeply affected and influenced each of us in our daily lives. As education, research, and office work were no longer allowed to take place on campus and events and meetings were cancelled, our world has rapidly shrunk. In the meantime, we have been working in this new reality for several months now and are entering a new phase.

In the press conference on May 6, Prime Minister Rutte reported, “The ‘first outbreak phase’ of the coronavirus is behind us. We are now entering the phase of transition to the one-and-a-half-meter society.” The easing of a number of the measures in the form of a Railroad Timetable (Spoorboekje, Dutch only) was announced.

The VSNU and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science are working together on a protocol that provides a framework for restarting activities in higher education, in accordance with the principles of the 1.5-meter society. Based on this protocol, Tilburg University will develop its own Spoorboekje with regard to opening up the campus and starting up activities. This perspective will be communicated via this website.

The most important principles here are to follow the national guidelines and the Spoorboekje and to guarantee the safety and health of our employees and students because, although everyone will be happy with easing the measures, it also brings uncertainty. And, no matter how much everyone longs for clarity, easing the measures will continue to be subject to the developments surrounding the virus and the resulting national policy. At the same time, in order to strengthen social cohesion, it is important to examine, within those frameworks, what scope there is for meeting each other on campus. That is what we will do.

Here are a few things we can already clarify. Fully in line with the announced easing of the measures of May 6 and organized according to the guidelines of the RIVM, the following changes:

May 18

• We offer limited study space in CUBE for special target groups of students. 

We offer limited study space to students who are in a distressing or unsustainable home situation due to special (family) circumstances. Students can register for this with reasons at studentsupport@tilburguniversity.edu. If you cannot bring your own laptop and need a PC, please mention this.

These are circumstances that you have already reported to a Dean of Students, see also study delay.

• Part of the outdoor sports facilities will be reopened. Associations will be informed about this. Members will be informed about the possibilities via the website.

May 25

• Library reopens for visitors (search/loan/return). Self-study remains closed. Look for the specific information in the FAQs.
• Offer of outdoor sports will be increased with group lessons (registration required). Members will be informed about the possibilities via the website.

Further information about the Tilburg University Spoorboekje and the period from June onward will follow in the week of May 18.

We stand together in this crisis. Take good care of yourself and watch out for each other!

Within the frameworks set by the RIVM (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment) and the government, Tilburg University is working on scenarios to allow its academic education to continue on campus as much as possible in the academic year 2020/2021. In our opinion, physical proximity among the university community is an important part of academic education.

Tilburg University takes the following as points of departure.

• We strive to provide as much small-scale classes (e.g., seminars) on campus as possible.
• Large-scale education (e.g., lectures) will take place online.
• For the time being, students can also take all classes online (international students, students who are ill, have flu-like symptoms, or cannot travel by public transport, etc.).
• We prioritize a safe and inclusive university community at all times, online and on campus.

As regards research, we are investigating the following options.

• Opportunities for academic research in labs.
• Opportunities for researchers to resume their work on campus.

The University will further elaborate these points of departure and publish the results here. In doing so, we also link up with the national approach adopted by the Dutch universities in response to the new government guidelines to gradually resume the usual education and research activities: On campus if we can, online because we can.

Since the corona measures are being relaxed, libraries can reopen. We hereby inform you that the University Library will continue its limited services until May 25. You can pick up books and materials for which you have received a notification e-mail on working days from 10:30 to 13:00 hrs. on the ground floor of Koopmans building (K7). You can also pick up your Tilburg University card if you have received an e-mail that your card is ready.

From Monday, May 25, services will again be provided from the Library building. From that day, services will be expanded in phases. The independent study facilities in the Library building will remain closed until further notice.

Online proctoring policy

The government's corona measures have a major impact on education at Tilburg University and on the way in which exams can be administered. An essential part of good education is sound testing, that fits in as closely as possible with the educational program and with the way in which students have prepared themselves so far, and that also includes anti-cheating measures. In recent weeks, therefore, an investigation has been carried out into whether and to what extent remote testing and invigilation are possible, whether it is useful to use alternative forms of examination for some courses, and whether it is justified and necessary in exceptional cases to opt for online invigilation using online proctoring.

In consultation with the chairs of the Examining Boards, the Tilburg University Executive Board has decided to use online proctoring for a limited number of examinations. This university-wide policy came about after careful consideration of the results of a test with an online examination using proctoring software, the concerns of students about their privacy and their possible study delay, and the legal obligation of the Examining Boards to guarantee the reliability and validity of the interim and final examinations.

The university had previously stated that online proctoring can only be used if no alternatives are available. This policy will be continued and has been further concretized as follows for the coming examination period starting on May 18, 2020.

• Online proctoring will only be used for key courses recognized as such by the Program Director with knowledge-oriented exams crucial for or close to the moment of graduation. Based on this criterion, each School assesses itself whether and which exams should be administered with proctoring, after having established that there are no alternatives that guarantee the value of the diploma and taking into account privacy concerns.
• The functionality of online proctoring, and thus the amount of data collected, is limited as much as possible. Update May 22: Tilburg University did not enable the option in Proctorio to analyze/signalize head and eye movements. Although video recordings are made during the examination, Proctorio does not record the corresponding head and eye movements for the purpose of detecting possible fraud. If, for example, you look away from the screen, Proctorio will not explicitly inform the proctor of Tilburg University about this.

  Moreover, the data will only be accessible to authorized Tilburg University proctors and will only be viewed and inspected to prevent fraud. After one month, the data will be destroyed.

• All students can use a mock exam to see if the proctoring software works on their hardware. In this way, students can ensure that adequate hardware is available for the actual examination. If a student does not have the proper hardware, we will try to find a solution to the best of our ability. However, we urge everyone to make sure that the limited resources that are available for this actually benefit students who really can't get the necessary hardware in any other way.
• Of course we act within the relevant legal frameworks, including privacy legislation. We will apply proctoring as little as possible and minimize the invasion of privacy by only applying the necessary functionalities that are relevant for safeguarding the value of your diploma. By applying this method, we can safeguard the value of the diploma and at the same time administering online exams to large groups of students. Nevertheless, individual students may object to the application of proctoring. For this group of students, an opt-out arrangement applies.

The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and the Association of Universities in the Netherlands (VSNU) published new information for higher education today (information in Dutch only).

We are working on specific implementation for Tilburg University. Information on this will be published on this website.

In response to several questions that have arisen about online examinations, the Association of Universities in the Netherlands (VSNU) has issued a statement (in Dutch) and the rector magnificus Klaas Sijtsma has granted an interview to Univers.

On Tuesday, April 14, the Proctorio remote proctoring program was piloted at Tilburg University for off campus examinations for specific exams. After an exam has been taken, Proctorio can be used to establish whether fraud was committed during the exam. Proctorio was piloted at a trial examination of the Philosophy of Law B course, in which 368 students took part. The results were positive, just like at other universities. Therefore we have decided  to use Proctorio for specific examinations,

Students are obviously and understandably concerned about the impact of this form of remote examinations on their privacy.  Some students are critical and have questions, with good reason and we understand these concerns. In the meantime we have answered several questions from the parties in the University Council in an extra meeting.

Just as other universities, the corona crisis compels Tilburg University to organize education online and therefore the option of online examinations was explored adhering to two principles:

• The first one is that we wish to do all we can to prevent students from incurring undue delays in their progress towards completing their degree programs. This semester requires a large number of exams to take place, and if these cannot be held, it will lead to major problems with registration next year.
• The second principle is that we wish to safeguard the reliability of examinations and of degrees awarded by the University. Ruling out fraud is necessary to safeguard the value of exams and awarded degrees. In addition and throughout this process, we are working very closely together with the chairs of the Examination Boards of the Schools who monitor the regulations regarding education and examinations. We are working together with other Dutch universities, using their knowledge.

We wish to point out that we do not monitor exams through Proctorio while they are being taken; Proctorio generates a fraud estimate for each participating student after the exam has been taken, and this estimate enables us to investigate whether fraud was committed during the exam. The usual procedure via the Examination Board applies. The fraud indication could be, for example, that the proof of identity was incorrect or that there was someone else in the room. That would need further investigation. Student data are only available to proctors appointed by the university. These data will be automatically deleted after a programmable time period. To explore the options Proctorio offers, the pilot test was run with Proctorio at maximum settings. On this basis we make choices that minimize the invasion of privacy while maintaining the value of the diploma and preventing study delay.

Students watch online lectures from home and employees work from home as much as possible. Now that the government measures concerning working from home have been extended and the VSNU (Association of Universities in the Netherlands) has published guidelines relating to access to buildings, the Executive Board has decided to further limit the access to campus buildings for safety and sustainability reasons. From Wednesday April 8, only employees who have to work on campus will be able to do so, on floors 10, 11, and 12 in Koopmans building. They must have their supervisor's permission to work on campus. Borrowing books and materials from the Library continues to be possible. From April 8, students and staff will be able to pick up/return borrowed books and materials from the Library on weekdays from 10:30 to 13:00 hrs. on the ground floor of Koopmans building. Recording video lectures in lecture rooms can, of course, also go ahead as usual. Employees and student board members can still pick up things from their offices on weekdays between 9:00 and 11:00 hrs. 

More information about the limited access to buildings can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions.

The corona crisis and the measures taken to prevent further spread of the virus, have profoundly touched and affected each and every one of us in our daily lives. The government called on everybody to observe social distancing and the university has adapted itself in a few weeks time to digital education.

We are aware that these are difficult times for you and we are very grateful to all our students and employees, for their flexibility in dealing with this situation. We can also imagine that this sudden and surreal situation is hard and may cause, stress, and sadness: the corona crisis has an impact on us all.

Stay connected

With worldwide self-isolation and closures, we need to be in contact, stay connected and take care of each other more than ever. We would like to take this opportunity to draw your attention to the new web page about mental and physical health for both staff and students.

We have collected tips and advice to help you support and manage your wellbeing in this difficult period. What activities can you still undertake? How can you remain in contact with your study mates and colleagues? Are there any online events? And where can you go if you should not feel so good? If you need help, that is quite normal and there are possibilities for that.

We stand together in this crisis. Take care of yourself and look out for each other!

Following the new government instructions given on 31 March, Tilburg University is also extending the measures already taken up to and including April 28. This means that students and staff are requested to study and work at home. The educational activities take place at a distance until the end of the academic year. An overview of the measures taken by Tilburg University can be found in the earlier updates on this website and in the Frequently Asked Questions.

Mentally and physically fit during the corona outbreak

All of the Netherlands is affected by the coronavirus outbreak. It is an extraordinary situation, in which everybody will have to find a new rhythm. The measures recently introduced by the central government mean that all education by Tilburg University will be provided online until the end of this academic year. This means, for example, that you will no longer meet your fellow students during lectures or on our campus. We can imagine that this is a difficult and stressful time full of uncertainty. The new measures require a great deal of flexibility from everyone and you may feel that you are on your own.

Together or on your own

Many students are at home with family or live in digs with fellow students. There are also students who are far away from home and their families. We can imagine that this sudden and surreal situation is hard on them. Worry, stress, and sadness: the corona crisis has an impact on us all. We have collected tips and advice to help you support and manage your wellbeing in this difficult period.

What activities can you still undertake? How can you remain in contact with your study mates? Are there any online events? And where can you go if you should not feel so good? If you need help, that is quite normal and there are possibilities for that.

Need more help?

If you need more help after having read the tips and advice, you can always make an appointment with the student psychologists, a program coordinator, or a Dean of Students. You can also contact the Tilburg University social worker.

Looking after your mental health? Go to Student and Health during the corona crisis.

In line with the general measures taken by the central government, the Tilburg University Executive Board has decided to offer education online until the end of the academic year. This means that lectures and exams will take place online or in alternative ways. The exams will start from week 21 (May 18) and week 22 (May 25), depending on the study program, the examination schedule will follow. The way in which the exams are going to take place is something we are working on very hard right now. More information will follow as soon as possible.

We follow the new guidelines for meetings and events, these have all been cancelled until June 1. If, in the meantime, government regulations are adjusted, we will assess what activities – in addition to online lectures and exams – can take place on campus.

We realize that the situation created by the coronavirus (and the necessary measures against it) is very unpleasant for all our students. Not only does the situation cause a lot of practical inconvenience, it also raises questions for many students about the progress of education this academic year. Hereby, you will receive an update on the progress of the education, including examinations, in the coming period. The basic principle for this is to do as much as possible to prevent study delay and to complete the education before the end of the academic year.

Education

• The education will start as originally planned and scheduled, if necessary this education will be provided online (whereby the existing timetable is and remains the starting point).
• In order to create space to catch up on the examinations planned after March 12, the education in block 4 (or the rest of the semester) will be one week shorter.

Examinations

• All examinations scheduled after March 12 will be rescheduled from either May 18 or May 25 (this differs per program). A new exam schedule, based on those dates, will follow as soon as possible.
• Students will be informed later on the way in which the examinations will take place.
• Information about this and possible other changes regarding education and examinations will be communicated through Canvas.

It is good to know that in the background a lot of hard work is being done to support online education and to develop possibilities for remote assessments. We will inform students in good time about developments in this area.

The above guidelines apply from March 20, 2020 – 17:00 until further notice.

• Students who meet the BSA standard within the academic year 2019-2020 will receive a positive recommendation this academic year. 
• Students who do not meet the BSA standard of their study program because they have been delayed as a result of the national corona-related measures, will be granted a postponement. These students will have the opportunity to obtain a positive recommendation in the academic year 2020-2021.
• For students at Tilburg University, this means that students who are granted a postponement will receive a personal progress report at the end of the academic year. In this way, we ensure that we carefully advise students on the next step in their study career.

To make sure that we have an overview of who is on campus, access to buildings will be controlled from Friday morning, March 20, at 8:00 hrs. The buildings will remain accessible only to those who need to be able to enter as a matter of urgency.

For employees, this means that they can enter with their Tilburg University card; make sure you have your card with you. If you haven’t, you can get in under supervision of Security staff. You can reach Security via the telephone number posted on all main entrance doors. Please make sure that you have the key to your office with you, as well as identification.

We urgently request employees to work from home as much as possible and to coordinate this with their supervisor. Employees can come to the campus to work only for matters that cannot be done from home (e.g., teachers who need to record online classes or lectures), and if they observe the measures published by the central government on March 12.

All important information relation to working from home has been brought together on this page. Do you want to know more about how you can work at home effectively behind your laptop or PC and avoid pain in your neck or shoulders? Then take a look at this document.

Please note that the limited access to the campus does not apply to the lending of books/materials from the Library by students and staff. You can use the Library’s lending facilities on workdays between 10:00 and 14:00 hrs. You can enter the Library without a University card. All study places are closed, everywhere on the campus.

In the light of the guidelines of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ guidelines, Tilburg University urgently calls on all its Dutch students and staff abroad to return to the Netherlands. We do so because there are currently no areas where there is no risk of spreading corona and because of the increasing travel restrictions imposed by more and more countries.  The university will assist you where possible and try to minimize as much as possible the negative consequences of your having to return. It is necessary for students and staff to register and sign up on BijzonderebijstandBuitenland.nl

Together with the Dutch student or employee concerned who is currently staying abroad, we look into the situation and strive to find the best possible solution, in coordination with the supervisor and/or director.

Outgoing exchange students from Tilburg University are asked to contact the Study Abroad & Exchange Office.

International degree students can contact the education coordinator of their School.

Employees are requested to contact the Human Resources Division  via e-mail: hrpolicy@tilburguniversity.edu

Dear students and staff of Tilburg University,

These are exceptional times for the Netherlands and for our university. The coronavirus is now dominating our lives. In the past week, we have been compelled to take increasingly far-reaching measures in an effort to combat the spreading of the virus. In Brabant, the momentum was even higher than in the rest of the Netherlands. Since we have taken so many measures that deeply affect everything we do, colleagues have toiled long and hard to ensure the smooth operation of processes in research, education, and the support services. We are deeply grateful for the way in which everyone has collaborated to allow education activities to go ahead, facilities to be set up, and to continue working where this was not possible in other ways, and for your numerous other efforts!

The current situation is expected to last for weeks and will raise new questions for us each day. Our crisis team and our corona steering committee are working on them every day, as are so many of you. We know there are many questions about education, travel, working from home, et cetera. We are trying to answer them as well as we can and as quickly as we can. All questions and answers are on the website. That is the place where our communication efforts converge: it is the best place to go for information. Should you have questions or suggestions that we have not yet found an answer to, please contact our team via the website.

We also see that all kinds of initiatives are emerging to support people who are having a hard time. We are delighted to see how caring our community is for people who will really need our help at this time and in future weeks. In the coming weeks, we will also pay attention to the impact of this crisis in the medium term, for education and research, and for business operations. Behind the scenes, we are working hard on solutions, too.

Together we will be able to get through this difficult time. We hope that we will all do so in good health and, where this is not the case, that we will be able to support each other.

Take care and be well,

The Executive Board
Koen Becking
Klaas Sijtsma
Paulina Snijders 

We understand that the decision to close daycare centers and primary schools can have important consequences for many of our employees. In view of this exceptional situation, Tilburg University wants to be accommodating as regards the arrangements for emergency leave and special leave. We also appeal to you as employees to see what can be done by staggering or adapting your working times. If you can work only partly or not at all because you need to take care of your children, you will be given the opportunity to take 100% paid emergency and special leave for those hours until April 6, 2020. Please make arrangements with your supervisor on your work, your availability, any adjustments to your working hours and, if necessary, whether you will take the leave referred to above and, if so, when. You do not need to submit a leave request in the My Employee portal or via the HR Service Center.

The measures that were taken earlier and that can be found in earlier updates, have now been extended up to and including April 6, 2020.

Based on the new measures announced on March 15, the following new measures for Tilburg University enter into effect immediately.

• All catering establishments on campus will be closed.
• The study places in all buildings will be closed.
• PhD ceremonies will take place online as much as possible.
• Everyone is asked to maintain a distance of 1.5 meters from other people.
• For staff with school-age and young children who currently have no childcare options available, further guidelines will be published tomorrow. They can contact their supervisor to discuss solutions for the next few days.

Tilburg University advises its outgoing exchange students in red AND orange areas on the map to to consider returning to the Netherlands. All students who are currently residing in one of these specific regions will be informed by the Study Abroad & Exchange Office via email. In case students will have a study delay due to his or her forced return, the student will be eligible for Financial Support for Students (FOS) or in Dutch profileringsfonds under the current conditions.

Tilburg University students who are currently residing in other areas, and who want to come home due to the uncertain situation, regardless of the travel advice from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, are asked to contact the Study Abroad & Exchange Office for advice.

Our advice is to always carefully monitor the instructions from your host university and act accordingly. In addition, students are advised to register to the Dutch Ambassy in their host country

Should the travel advice of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs change or if we receive information that the situation has changed, we will inform the students who are in that particular region at that point and advise them.

All students who have been in one of the risk areas (red and orange on the map) are requested to stay at home 14 days after their return.

Risk areas (red and orange areas on the map) can be found on the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. Under ‘Reisadvies: kies uw bestemming’, enter the country that you want information on, in Dutch (use initial capital!) and click the blue button.

The Government decided today that educational activities are no longer allowed at universities and universities of applied sciences. The Executive Board has taken a number of measures that are effective immediately and apply up to and including March 31.

• All buildings close daily at 18:00 hrs. The restaurant (mensa) is open until 19:00 for take-away meals. During weekends all buildings are closed.
• There will be no more lectures on location, only online. Lecturers can make use of livestream possibilities in the lecture halls.
• All examinations on location have been canceled. Tilburg University will let students know as soon as possible how it will deal with the consequences of canceling examinations.
• Students can continue to make use of the library's lending function and takeaway facilities at our restaurants. A limited number of self-study places are available.
• PhD defenses continue with fewer than 100 attendees.

• The measure on working from home will remain in force up to and including March 31. Staff are only allowed to be on campus if there is no other way and always with the permission of their supervisor.

These new measures, which have come on top of previous ones, have a major impact on our primary process, which we very much regret. It requires a lot of flexibility from both our staff and students. Government policy is necessary to counter the risk of the virus spreading.

Please check the update above for the most up-to-date information

In response to the new policy announced today by the government and RIVM to prevent further spread of the coronavirus, Tilburg University is taking the following measures. These, as well as all previous measures, will be in force at least until March 31. The new measures take effect immediately.

• All buildings close daily at 18:00 hours. The restaurant (mensa) is open until 19:00 hrs for take-away meals. During weekends all buildings are closed.
• Lectures for up to 100 students will continue as planned, possibly online. Lectures with more than 100 students can only (and where possible) be offered online.
• Examinations will continue but will be administered in groups of fewer than 100 candidates. The examinations already planned will take place according to the examination schedule. The measure of not more than 100 persons in an examination room will be taken into account.
• The Restaurant (mensa) is only available for take-away meals. The seating area is closed. Other takeaways such as Cobbenhagen, CUBE, Starbucks, and Albert Heijn-to-Go are open.
• The library remains open for borrowing, but the study areas will be closed.
• No more than 100 students will be admitted to the self-study areas in other places on the campus.
• PhD defenses will continue, as well as small events, but with a maximum of 100 guests.
• Students are invited to study at home, but if that is not possible, they are welcome on campus.

Following the newly announced governmental measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the consequences for planned examinations and lectures will be mapped out as soon as possible and published on the website.

Tilburg University responds to the call of the health and other authorities to work at home, if possible, and online, in order to prevent the virus from further spreading. Working from home is mostly possible for the support staff and researchers. As far as education is concerned, the university, like all educational institutions, has an obligation to provide education.

The government's guidelines are that, also in this situation, the primary process of education must continue. Tilburg University complies with this guideline. Nevertheless, we can imagine that students and lecturers are worried. The RIVM issues guidelines for everyone: wash hands, do not shake hands with people and stay at home when you have health problems. If everyone adheres to these guidelines, together we can provide a safe educational environment.

For students who are unable to attend lectures because of health problems, we offer online opportunities to attend lectures.

In response to the call by the mayors of Noord-Brabant to all citizens to take responsibility in reducing social contacts, in order to limit the spread of the corona virus, the university made the following decisions:

• The university asks event organizers to critically consider whether or not to allow the event to go ahead. They can weigh up the number of participants, the necessity of the event and the risks of infection.
• The Executive Board of Tilburg University has decided to close the Sports Center from Wednesday, March 11, 2020 until Monday, March 16, 2020.

All previously taken measures remain in force.

In response to the call by the mayors of Noord-Brabant for all citizens to take personal responsibility in reducing social contacts and thus limit the spread of the virus, the university decided the following. The university asks event organisers to critically consider whether or not to allow the event to go ahead. They can weigh up the number of participants, the necessity of the event and the risks of infection. All measures, including those taken previously, remain in force until Monday.

Based on new government guidelines, Tilburg University is calling on its employees to work from home in the coming seven days wherever possible (up to and including Monday March 16). This concerns employees the nature of whose work permits this, for instance, office workers and researchers. If necessary they can consult by telephone. Working from home always happens in consultation with the supervisor/Managing Director of the relevant unit.

Lectures must continue as much as possible, so teachers and students will come to the university. Teachers should prepare to provide lectures online. The university will continue to be open in conformity with the instructions.

An employee of the support staff of the Tilburg School of Catholic Theology (TST) in Utrecht has been infected with the coronavirus. This has been confirmed by the Municipal Health Service (GGD) in Utrecht. The employee has been in contact with an acquaintance who had recently visited Northern Italy. The employee is currently in isolation at home. ‘Since the employee has not been at the university campus in Tilburg nor in the Bonifatiushuis building in Utrecht after he developed symptoms, there is no risk to employees and students,’ the GGD Utrecht has stated.

The employee became ill on Tuesday evening. On Wednesday, employees who had been in contact with him in the course of that Tuesday were requested to stay at home as a precaution. The workplace at the School where this person works has been thoroughly cleaned. The GGD Utrecht is now further investigating the contacts of the employee outside the university to prevent the virus from spreading further.

According to the regional GGD, educational and other activities in the building and on the campus can continue as usual since there has been no risk of infection. Tilburg University follows the advice of the GGD and the guidelines of the RIVM (National Institute for Public Health and Environmental Protection).

“The RIVM (National Institute for Public Health and Environmental Protection) advises inhabitants of the province of Noord-Brabant to minimize social contact if they have symptoms of a cold, coughing, or fever. This means: stay at home. For instance, work from home, do not visit other people or places where many people congregate. Should you have symptoms and still want to go out, try as much as possible to keep a distance from other people. This will reduce the risk of inadvertently spreading the virus. Call your doctor only if your symptoms get worse." 

Source: RIVM, March 6, 2020

We follow the RIVM’s advice. We request employees, students, and visitors not to come to the campus but to stay at home if they have minor symptoms, like a cold, coughing, or fever. Employees are requested to work from home and to report to their supervisor. Students with symptoms are requested not to come to campus, not even for lectures and exams. In that case, consult the Frequently Asked Questions below for how to proceed. 

Tilburg University is open. We are in close contact with the Municipal Health Service (GGD) and are following the guidelines of the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM). 

New Frequently Asked Questions (and answers) have been added at the bottom of the page.

In addition to the guideline for staff and students, potential visitors from high-risk areas (red and orange on the map) are requested not to visit the campus 14 days after their return. Events will take place in accordance with the guidelines of the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM).
The Executive Board requests event organizers to make this additional guideline known to potential visitors in a timely fashion. 

Until further notice, employees and students are not permitted to make business trips to the risk areas (red and orange on the map). Permission for any exceptions must be requested from the Executive Board via the Secretary of the University. 

All students and staff who have been in one of the risk areas (red and orange on the map) are requested to stay at home 14 days after their return.

Tilburg University is open. We are in close contact with the Municipal Health Service (GGD) and are following the guidelines of the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM). 

Another case of the coronavirus has been confirmed in Tilburg. The first concerns a man who now is in the Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital.