UNIVERSITY UPDATE: FACE TO FACE TEACHING

Dear students and colleagues,
 
I have taken the decision to bring forward the end of face-to-face teaching for all students for this term to tomorrow - Tuesday,  March 17 at 6pm.  This relates to ALL sites not already notified of closure. It affects ALL undergraduates, taught postgraduates and all those on professional programmes. Students on health programmes will receive an additional communication from their faculty dean. Research students should consult their supervisor.  Students who wish to stay until Friday may do so but face to face teaching will not take place from Wednesday to Friday inclusive.  The 24/7 areas of the libraries at Parkgate Road will remain open and there will be a reduced catering offer.   International students and others needing to continue in accommodation should confirm this to Hospitality and Residential Services (accommodation) by Friday. A separate email announcement will be made about Level 5 Work Based Learning.
 
This early finish will give teaching staff some time to move material on line to enable courses to complete their learning outcomes in due course.  Professional services staff will also have more opportunity to reconfigure their working practices. LIS are ready to support staff with their online operational plans this week.
 
Students are asked to be patient as we develop online resources and potentially alternative assessments.   The timing for your online engagement in the course may have to be flexible. Your schedule may not match that of your traditional term time so please keep an eye on your University emails and ensure we have your up to date contact details.
 
A decision on whether the University’s campuses will open on time for the summer term will be taken on April 6th.
 
I appreciate that there are lots of unknowns for all of us in relation to this coronavirus pandemic and we are working to give you clarity, where we are able to in this dynamic scenario.   Our priority is to help students to complete their programmes of study as safely and effectively as possible.
 
Thank you for your support for each other and our community.  
 
Professor Eunice Simmons
Vice Chancellor