The question of proportionality often torments me.

Especially on topics where I can understand both sides.

I've heard them often in recent years in connection with the pandemic policy.

On the one hand the risk of infection, on the other hand personal freedoms.

The issue of proportionality has returned to campus, but this time because we're in the midst of an energy crisis.

Because: The first universities and colleges are already talking about a possible return to online teaching.

The TU Berlin expects that its spending on heating and electricity will double this year and even fivefold in 2023.

The Executive Committee of the Goethe University in Frankfurt informed the FAZ: "Closing the entire university for several days or weeks in the event of ongoing energy shortages is conceivable." Other federal states are considering extending the Christmas holidays.

One might ask whether that is proportionate.

Does it have to be the universities that buckle first?

Does it have to be the students who bear the costs of a crisis again?

What is education worth to us?

The opinions of the students differ widely on social media.

Many are very upset and are demanding the federal government's promise to protect the universities despite the crisis.

"That's it with my psyche," writes someone.

"When the universities close again, I'll quit my studies and emigrate," writes another.

A nagging feeling of uncertainty

I was surprised to find that not everyone saw it that way.

Some users describe that online teaching is more convenient and effective for them than going to university.

In an interview with a physically disabled student, I find out that there are other reasons for sticking to distance learning.

Accessibility for example.

The Federal Network Agency has promised that schools and colleges are protected customers and would be supplied with energy in any case.

But it is unclear whether the universities will really remain open in an emergency.

The only thing that matters is “covering essential needs”.

So the power can also be turned off for protected customer groups.

Good news for us Düsseldorfers: The HHU rector has other plans.

In an interview with the Rheinische Post, she said that she would like to stick to face-to-face teaching as long as there are no other requirements.

But that does not mean that we are spared from restrictions.

In order to save energy, the opening hours of the library are now being reduced.

Four hours during the week and seven hours at the weekend.

Closures, reduced visiting hours, online university?

That's pretty stupid – off-peak times don't come for free.

People with children, family, nursing care or jobs urgently need these times.

So the library is getting pretty full from now on.

My fellow students are indignant and disappointed in the comments on the HHU post.

My plan to sit down in the library and study so that I don't have to heat the house at home will probably not work out.

Wouldn't it be better to heat the library building for everyone instead of everyone at home individually?

The HHU says: Heating the library in off-peak times for only a few visitors would be more expensive overall.

The nagging feeling of uncertainty remains.

A bit like in my first, second and third semester.

What does the crisis bring?

How does the government decide?

For or against us?

And even if the federal government would never really decide against us, it still feels that way.

There is no promise that the universities will remain open for us, come what may.

An education relief package is missing.

There is a lack of security.

We will probably wash our hands with cold water next semester, the hallways will be less lit, the temperature a bit lower.

What the hell.

But everything that goes beyond that is really stupid: closures, shorter visiting hours, online university.

When it comes to that again, I personally feel neglected.

There is no third chance.