It is clear to us all that we are living through events that are unprecedented in our lifetime and each day the situation changes. Many of you who have been living in College accommodation have returned home but I’m aware that many others among you remain living on campus.
In light of the government announcement on Monday 23 March, we have now closed the library and the Café on the Square however, the Union Shop remains open and will do so unless we are directed to close it. If you are living on campus please be assured that we will continue to support you despite these necessary changes.
This is a worrying and confusing time however, the restrictions on movement and gathering of more than two people who are not from the same household, which the government announced are vital to help slow and hopefully stop the spread of coronavirus. We all must play our part, both by adhering to the restrictions announced by the government, and continuing to follow guidance on hand washing.
Below are some important updates about campus accommodation including the fact that we are offering students the option to terminate their term three Halls accommodation contracts.
I would like to wish you, your family and friends, the very best of health. Please continue to check your emails and the student intranet regularly for further updates from the College.
Professor Paul Layzell
Principal
Early termination of accommodation contracts
End of year assessments will now be online and some students have indicated that, as a result, they do not intend to come back to campus this academic year.
If you do not plan to come back to campus either to study or to use your room as a quiet place where you can complete your end of year assessments online, you have the option of an early termination of your accommodation contracts. If you have paid for your accommodation in advance for the full year, we will reimburse you for term three and, for postgraduate students, term four also. If you pay for your accommodation per term, you will not be charged for your term three rent if you terminate your contract.
If you would like to take this option, please clear your room and any items from your kitchen or pantry and confirm you have left and are requesting the termination of your contract by emailing customerservicesroyalholloway.ac.uk. If you are not able to clear your room by the deadline of 27 April please inform Customer Services for options of alternative collection or storage.
Students on a 30 week contract
If you are in a position where you have to leave possessions behind in your room, please let Residential Customer Services know you are doing so when you check out. You do not need to visit your Hall Reception to check out, please just email customerservicesroyalholloway.ac.uk Please add the following information to the email title; Checking out followed by your hall and room number. This will confirm your departure but as requested above, inform us if you have left belongings in the room. You will be contacted by customer services to complete a form and confirm your details.
If you have any questions or issues regarding leaving your accommodation or extending your stay over Easter, please email customerservicesroyalholloway.ac.uk.
Union Shop
The Union Shop remains open, although it's important that if you use the shop, in accordance with the government’s guidance, you minimise the number of trips that you make in a day. We are committed to continuing this service, but we are making a number of changes to how the shop operates which we need your help with. Find out more.
Catered students
With the exception of The Hub and Kingswood, all catering outlets on campus are now closed until further notice. The Hub remains open for breakfast (8.30-10am), lunch (12-1.30pm) and dinner (6-7.30pm) every week day and for lunch (12-2pm) and dinner (5-7pm) at weekends. The Hub is now cashless – you can pay for goods with your College card or credit card, but cash is not accepted. If you are a catered student living in Halls, you will be required to sit apart from others.
Essential travel
Update 26 March - please note this information has now changed - the advice from the government is that students remaining at university in England should now stay where they are and not attempt to travel.
We have received confirmation that it is reasonable for students to return home to their permanent address, including parents collecting their children, and that this would be classed as essential travel under the new measures.