Professor Andy Long recently wrote to colleagues outlining the university’s updated plans for students returning in January given the new nation-wide restrictions.

Dear colleagues,

I hope you are enjoying a good winter break and have had some time to relax and recharge, despite the increased national restrictions announced during the break.

As you may be aware, the government yesterday announced further restrictions for education settings, including universities, which will change the sector’s existing plans for students’ return to campus and how we will teach them. It was also confirmed that Nottingham and Nottinghamshire have now entered Tier 4 of the national restrictions.

These changes follow the increase in national transmission rates for Covid-19 (due, in part, to the advent of a new strain of the virus) and the introduction of further restrictions. While our campuses and classrooms remain Covid-secure environments, and education remains a national priority activity, the government is keen to reduce the movement of people into and across the country to minimise transmission risks. The letter regarding these changes can be found here.

Student Return Dates
The government has confirmed that in-person teaching, placements and assessments will continue as planned for students studying programmes in Medicine & Dentistry, Health & Social Care including Nursing & Midwifery, Veterinary Science, Education including initial teacher training, and Social Work.

There are also some exceptions for students undertaking courses as part of their employment, or with professional-body mandated teaching that cannot be rescheduled. Students on these programmes should return to campus on their previously agreed date between 4 and 18 January.

For all other programmes, the government has said that, until at least 25 January, teaching will still commence at the start of term but remain online. We are informed that the government will keep this under regular review, with the first such review scheduled to take place in the week commencing 18 January.

We will be asking that in both cases Schools confirm these arrangements with their students to avoid confusion. Sarah Speight, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Education and Student Experience, will write to Heads of School to clarify this.

I recognise that the challenge of teaching and supporting students both on and off campus is considerable, and that staff have made huge efforts to deliver high quality and engaging teaching both digitally and face to face in 2020. The Digital Learning Directors will continue to work with Professional Service colleagues to ensure that the Faculty Teaching plans can be delivered, and that staff know how to access advice and training.

As previously outlined, all assessments will be online between 11 and 29 January.

During the term, students will have the opportunity to be tested regularly and this will be strongly encouraged. The university will offer all students Covid-19 testing upon return to Nottingham, as well as for those who have remained in and around the city over the break. During the term, students will have the opportunity to be tested regularly. Together these measures will help identify and isolate any positive cases early and help to reduce onward transmission of the virus. Staff are invited to take a test through the University Testing Service at any time you require.

I have written to all students today setting out how these changes affect them and the support available. You can read a copy of this communication here.

Tier 4 Restrictions
Under the Tier 4 restrictions placed on Nottingham, residents should stay at home unless they have a “reasonable excuse” although exemptions apply for both education and work purposes.

Therefore, I would ask that staff work from home where they can but access our campuses where it is essential, for example to continue in-person research activities if the research work cannot reasonably be conducted from home or to deliver in-person teaching. I have also written to all PGRs confirming that these arrangements also apply to them.

Our sports provision will also change in line with the new restrictions.

And of course, we must all continue to follow the ‘hands, face, space’ steps we can take as individuals to help suppress transmission of Covid-19 – wearing a face covering, regular handwashing, and maintaining a safe distance all make an enormous difference.

Within our University the number of active cases of Covid-19 remains low and while this demonstrates that our Covid security measures are working, there is no room for complacency.

Thank you as always for your hard work, patience and willingness to support each other in these challenging times. Whether in-person or online, I look forward to recommencing our new term in January and I wish you a safe and happy 2021.

Best wishes

Andy

Professor Andy Long, FREng
Provost & Deputy Vice-Chancellor
University of Nottingham