Teaching will take place in presence

"When the winter semester 2022/23 gets underway, we are again looking forward to face-to-face encounters on the campus in Bayreuth, in Kulmbach and all other outposts, even though it may be advisable to pack a jumper," says University President Prof. Dr. Stefan Leible. There are two messages in this statement, which sounds banal at first glance.

1. We are here for you! Students can expect face-to-face teaching as usual.

and

2. The University of Bayreuth is aware that the resource 'energy' must be used sparingly.

"Not only since Corona have we been aware of the advantages of our campus university," emphasises Leible. "That is why it is enormously important for us to send a clear signal: We will hold the winter semester in attendance and continue to provide our students with the best possible conditions for their studies!"

Even though the University of Bayreuth has come through the digital and hybrid Corona semesters well, students should not now have to do without analogue contacts because of the energy crisis. "It worries us that the price development for energy is currently incalculable," says Leible. "But we don't want to carry the energy crisis on the backs of the students. The university management sees it as a central task to shape the framework conditions so that teaching can continue to take place in presence."

Since the adoption of the sustainability strategy in January 2021, "affordable and clean energy" has already been a core point of the University of Bayreuth's strategic goals. Therefore, measures to reduce energy consumption were already taken at the University of Bayreuth before the start of the energy price tax. In addition, the university uses electricity from renewable sources to a large extent.

Nevertheless, it will not be easy for the University of Bayreuth to cushion rising energy costs, which is why further energy-saving measures have been adopted and are constantly being updated.

"What is also needed, however, is financial support for the universities from the state government," says Leible. "At the University of Bayreuth alone, we expect additional costs for energy of 3 to 5 million Euro this year, which are not covered by the budget. This cannot be cushioned with energy-saving measures alone, as otherwise we would have to shut down our entire research infrastructure. Politicians cannot want that either. What is needed, therefore, is a support programme for Bavarian universities so that research and teaching do not suffer from the energy crisis."