It's impossible to study all alone
Next week the RWTH first-year students launch into a new phase of their lives with the beginning of their studies.
Many of them know neither the city of Aachen nor any of their fellow students. That is supposed to change with the orientation week headlined by the slogan "It's impossible to study all alone". The concept was developed as part of the initiative "Excellent Teaching" and has been realized every year since 2011. The orientation week is organized by a team of student representative council members and university employees along with 1.500 student tutors and about 500 other volunteers.
On Monday, October 10, 2016, RWTH rector Ernst Schmachtenberg will welcome the approximately 7.000 first-year students in the Audimax. Due to the expected rush, this event will take place in three consecutive sessions. Afterwards the new students will be divided – according to courses of study – into small groups of 15 people. Each group will be looked after by two trained tutors throughout orientation week. Schedules will be created, first questions will be answered and new contacts will be made.
City Rally on Wednesday
Traditionally the first-year students report for the representative councils' city rally on Wednesday at 11am. During the rally they can test their mettle at around 150 stations in the areas of knowledge, skill and team spirit. Highlight this year is the so called Representative Council Mile on Templergraben Street: The different councils are represented here with stations, which are approached regardless of discipline. This way the new students can get an overview of the entire course offering at RWTH in a playful manner. During the entire rally glass bottles are prohibited at all places. The local residents as well as the retail trade in the proximity of the rally will be notified of the event beforehand.
Fund-raising campaign for social projects
There will also be two fund-raising campaigns during the city rally. So called coins will be collected for each task solved at the Representative Council Mile, which can be later turned into donations for Berlin's Kiron University. The initiative Viva con Agua will collect any packaging with deposit due and will donate the thus raised amount to sustainable water projects worldwide.
Closures of streets and parking lots
At the time of the welcome event for the first-year students on Monday, October 10, 2016, Schinkelstraße will be closed from 7am to 4pm. On Wednesday, October 12, 2016, Schinkelstraße will be blocked for thoroughfare from 7am to 8pm, Augustinerbach and the adjoining parking lot as well as Templergraben between Wüllnerstraße and Schinkelstraße will remain closed for cars from 9am to 6pm. The Talbot parking lot is available on both days.
Coordinating team contact information
The coordination center in the SuperC building of RWTH can be reached by phone at all times under +49 241 80 90807. The team also works closely together with campus security, public ordinance office and police.
Source: Press and Communications