On Monday 22 February, the Prime Minister announced a ‘roadmap’ towards ending lockdown. Within the published guidance, universities are asked not to invite students back to campus where courses ‘can reasonably be continued online’, until a further review in mid-April, when further guidance will be given.
There are some exceptions and the guidance allows a limited number of students to return to campus to access laboratories, specialist facilities and performance spaces for timetabled face-to-face teaching, revision sessions, assessments and other activities. An initial, small group of students will resume face-to-face activities that require access to laboratories, specialist facilities and performance spaces from Monday 8 March. For some other students, a return to campus for face-to-face teaching may follow over the course of the coming weeks.
We are currently working through the detail of which courses can return to face-to-face, on campus, teaching and learning support from Monday 8 March and we will prioritise final year undergraduate and postgraduate taught students needing access to facilities.
If the return to campus on Monday 8 March applies to you, you will receive an email from your school this Friday (26 February).
For other students, the Government guidance is clear; you should continue to study online for the remainder of this term, staying at your current address until further dates are announced for restoring face-to-face teaching and learning support. As is currently the case, if you have a compelling reason to return to campus, you may do so. Reasons include; if you were better able to study from campus, or because you believe that studying from campus would improve your wellbeing.
Campus is open
Throughout the pandemic, we have worked hard to create a safe campus for all our students and staff. Students who are living on campus or locally can continue to access campus facilities such as study spaces, the Library and the SU shop.
To keep our campus covid-secure, we require everyone who is on campus, or living locally, to test on arrival and take part in twice-weekly lateral flow testing to enable us to play our part in helping to control the spread of Covid-19. Social distancing rules still apply and will continue to apply until further notice.
I recognise that depending on your circumstances (such as health), you may not be able to take advantage of any return to campus either from Monday 8 March or beyond. Please be assured that, when you are given the choice to return, if you are unable to, we will continue to support you in your studies.
Exams and assessments
Finally, I want to reassure you that there is no change to the plans for exams and assessments announced earlier this month. Exams and assessments will take place as planned, and the exam timetable will be published on Tuesday 23 March.
I hope that this provides a level of clarity following the Government announcement. If you have further questions following this message, we have added FAQs to the Information Hub that may help. You’re also welcome to join our weekly student Q&A at 5pm today (24 February).
Paul
Professor Paul Layzell
Principal