Campus News

Plans to refurbish Florence Boot Hall set to commence

September 21st, 2021

Refurbishments and upgrades to the university’s Florence Boot Hall (FBH) on University Park Campus are due to commence from Monday 27 September 2021.

During this time, the accommodation will be closed to students, re-opening in time for September 2022’s new intake.

The works will involve a total refurbishment of the building, including overhauling the building fabric, installing new en-suite and shared bathrooms and updating the interiors.

The building will also boast significant sustainability upgrades, including new air source heat pumps, increasing wall insulation values and introducing triple glazing for windows.

Professor Todd Landman, Pro-Vice Chancellor for the Faculty of Social Sciences at the university, said: “We are delighted to commence the refurbishment of our heritage student accommodation Florence Boot Hall.

The project team has engaged in a meticulous planning process with wide consultation across the university community in line with our Estates Development Framework, our sustainability commitments, and our commitment to our students.

The newly refurbished hall will offer our students accessible, comfortable, digitally enabled, and modernised accommodation that also embraces the history and tradition of the hall.”

As part of our commitment to delivering excellent facilities to our students, two surveys were run in 2019 to gather student views on accommodation at the university – and after reviewing the feedback, the decision was made to upgrade the building.

As Florence Boot Hall was part of the Willoughby Hall Welcome Point last year, some staff members from FBH will join the Welcome Point West team during the closure, with other members of the team moving to other Welcome Points.

Florence Boot Hall will be the first of the on-campus halls of residence to be renovated under a wider refurbishment project as part of the university’s commitment to improving our on-campus halls of residence offering.

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Skies turn pink in Nottingham for Organ Donation Week

September 21st, 2021

Nottinghamshire University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust is helping to turn the sky in Nottingham pink this week and helping to save lives at the same time.

The initiative will see the Queen’s Medical Centre and buildings on the Trust’s City Hospital site – alongside well known Nottingham landmarks – lit up pink for Organ Donation Week which runs from Monday 20 September to Sunday 26 September 2021.

Nottingham buildings turning pink on Wednesday 22 September are the QMC, City Hospital, Kings Mill Hospital, the university’s Trent building, Nottingham City Council’s Council House and Wollaton Hall.

The Light It Up Pink initiative is inspired by the pink NHS Organ Donor Register card. Across the country, someone dies every day in need of an organ.

The aim is to inspire people to get talking about organ donation and encourage more people to share with their families their decisions around organ donation. As well as NUH, others taking part include Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Trust, the University of Nottingham, and Nottingham City Council

Around 350,000 people in the Midlands are already on the NHS Organ Donor Register, around 35% of the population. However, people need to tell their family to help ensure their family supports their decision, if they are approached about organ donation by a specialist nurse in hospital.

Last year NUH had the highest number of organ donors of any Trust, helping save or improve the lives of people desperately in need of a transplant across the UK.

NUH teams facilitated 46 deceased organ donors resulting in 157 lifesaving organs for transplant. This is despite organ donation rates across the UK falling due to the pandemic, where Covid-19 had a wide-reaching impact across the whole NHS and every aspect of UK society.

Steve Gill, Consultant in Intensive Care Medicine and Anaesthesia and fellow ODC member at NUH added: “This is a testament to the care and dedication of our teams across Adult and Paediatric Intensive Care, Theatres and our Emergency Department who managed to support the NHS Blood and Transplant service throughout the pandemic, to facilitate 46 organ donors”.

Ian Johnson, Consultant in Adult Critical Care and Clinical Lead on the Organ Donation Committee (ODC) at NUH said: “It’s always fantastic to see Nottingham buildings lit up pink for Organ Donation week, and we hope that it gets people talking and finding out more about organ donation.

“We know the pandemic has affected organ donation across the country, but for our teams to have continued to work with families to honour their loved one’s wishes around organ donation is just brilliant. We’re pleased that 232 people in the East Midlands received a lifesaving transplant last year. Sadly that means there are still 414 people locally waiting for a transplant.”

Sadie Harris, Specialist Nurse – Organ Donation at NUH adds: “None of our work would be possible without the selfless generosity demonstrated by our donors and their families, who have agreed to support organ donation following the sad loss of their loved one. We are always hugely grateful and humbled at their ability to see beyond their own grief, and give the gift of life to another family.

Dr Paul Greatrix, Registrar of the University of Nottingham said: “We’re delighted to light our Trent Building pink this Wednesday, in support of organ donation week. Hopefully it will encourage people to have a conversation and make their wishes around organ donation known.”

Family members will still be consulted before organ donation goes ahead, but they will be more likely to support your organ donation decision, when they already know what you want to happen.

This year, organ donation has also been added to the National Curriculum for the first time and family members, whatever their age, are being encouraged to get together to talk about their own donation decisions.

Anthony Clarkson, Director of Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation, for NHS Blood and Transplant said: “It’s brilliant that Nottingham University Hospitals, Sherwood Forest Hospitals and local partners are  showing support for Organ Donation Week.

“Please, tell your family you want to save lives through organ donation, because it could be the difference between life and death for someone else.”

Millions of people are already on the NHS Organ Donor Register. To find out more and register your decision, visit: www.organdonation.nhs.uk

Alternatively, users of the NHS app, can use this to record, check and update your details and organ donation decision.

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New Covid-safety resources for staff

September 20th, 2021

A new set of posters, lecture slides, and digital messages have been developed for staff to use in order to help ensure students are clear on the behaviours we expect from them.

In addition, the Estates team are continuing to add Covid-safety signage to entrances and busy areas of all buildings as well as across digital screens on campus.

The new suite of digital material is available to download now from the Safety on Campus Sharepoint site. Please make sure these messages are visible and clearly understood in your own teaching, research and working areas, as well as Faculties, Schools, and Professional Services areas, where appropriate.

In particular, new resources on the wearing of face coverings have been created – including posters for classrooms – which advise that face coverings are expected and recommended wherever these posters are displayed.

Academic colleagues taking part in online lectures are also being asked to display a new message explaining the university’s stance on in-person teaching this semester.

The new PowerPoint slide can be downloaded below and is intended to be displayed in the first few minutes of an online lecture while students are joining and waiting for teaching to begin.

The message lets students know that most large-group teaching, particularly lectures, will continue to be delivered online – while reassuring them that our intention is to resume most large-group teaching in-person from Semester 2.

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Covid: new system for international travel

September 20th, 2021

The government has announced a new clearer system for international travel will begin on Monday 4 October 2021.

The rules will see the current red, amber, or green system replaced with either red or rest of the world.

Testing requirements will also be reduced for eligible fully vaccinated travellers, who will no longer need to take a pre-departure test when travelling to England from Monday 4 October.

From the end of October, eligible fully vaccinated passengers and those with an approved vaccine from a select group of non-red countries will be able to replace their day two test with a cheaper lateral flow test.

Anyone testing positive will need to isolate and take a confirmatory PCR test, which would be genomically sequenced to help identify new variants.

Testing for unvaccinated passengers from non-red countries will include pre-departure tests, day two and day eight PCR tests.

Test to release remains an option to reduce self-isolation period.

You can read the full announcement on the Government website.

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What’s new in libraries for 2021/22?

September 20th, 2021

Here’s everything you need to know to get library ready this autumn term, including some changes to opening hours, study spaces and loan periods.

Visiting our libraries

Whether you’re a new or returning student, Library staff are excited to welcome you back to our eight libraries.

  • Explore our libraries! Pop in at any time for a quick tour. Simply wait at the Tour Meeting Point inside the library and a member of staff will introduce you to the library space and our services.
  • Don’t forget your University Card! From 11 October, you will need your card for access to our libraries. You’ll also need it to borrow books and use the printers.
  • Studying over lunch? You are welcome to bring drinks and cold food into our libraries, but hot food must only be eaten in café spaces.

Extended opening hours

Extended opening hours in our libraries start earlier than ever this year. From 18 October, six libraries will be open until 2am (Sunday – Thursday).

  • These hours will be in place throughout the autumn, spring and summer terms.
  • The new hours will provide improved access to library study space, facilities and resources across the academic year, rather than focusing on specific assessment periods.
  • For full details of opening times, please visit the Libraries website.

Safety on campus

Restrictions may have gone, but Covid-19 certainly hasn’t. It’s up to us all to help keep everyone safe. Please follow the university’s Safety on Campus guidance when using our libraries, including:

  • Continuing to wear a face covering in busy and enclosed spaces
  • Giving people space where possible
  • Washing your hands regularly and wiping down surfaces before and after use

If you are a returning student, you’ll notice we’ve removed most of the one-way systems in our libraries. However, there are some spaces where these are still in place, such as Hallward Library. Please continue to follow any one-way systems still in place.

Borrowing books and loan periods

With the relaxation of national restrictions, we are returning to our standard library loan periods from 20 September, with some improvements.

  • You can still use Click and Collect to place book requests. When you collect your book, you will need to issue it to your library account at the self-service machine.
  • Books can be returned to any of our libraries – to the book boxes outside or the self-service machines.
  • If you need access to any of our items by post – we now offer a postal loans service for students and staff.

Click and Collect hold time

In response to staff and student feedback, we are extending the amount of time that a book will be held on the requests shelf before being released to others.

From 20 September, you will have three days to collect your requested item. Part-time students and those eligible for enhanced library support will have seven days to collect their items.

High-demand loan period

  • If the item you are borrowing is in high demand, it will be issued for two days and will not be renewed.
  • In response to feedback, we are extending the high-demand loan period to four days for part-time students and those eligible for enhanced library support.

Returning a requested book

If the item you have out on loan has been requested, we will email you to let you know that it will no longer renew. You will have seven days to return the item.

Fines

  • From 11 October 2021, Libraries will start charging fines for overdue items again. We have been waiving fines since December 2020.
  • Our libraries are now cashless but you can pay your fines by card online.

Finding resources for your studies

NUsearch continues to be your one-stop shop for finding resources for your studies.

Library staff are here to help you with making the most of NUsearch. Get in touch or join one of our Ask Libraries: Discover our resources sessions.

We are continuing to offer our popular Scanning for Personal Use service this academic year. If you need to access a section of a book or journal, we can provide a scan by email (within copyright limits).

Study spaces

Drop-in study spaces are available in our libraries again this year – including group, individual and silent spaces.

If you want to be sure of a space or just have a favourite spot, you can book online via Click and Study.

Over the summer, we have refreshed some of the spaces at Hallward, Greenfield Medical and James Cameron-Gifford libraries.

Dedicated study spaces are available for students who are eligible for enhanced library support.

Printing and IT

PCs are available in all our libraries. We offer 15-minute short stay PCs as well as a range of drop-in and bookable spaces with PC access.

Computer rooms are available across all campuses, many of which are open 24/7.

Library laptop loans are currently unavailable. A long-term laptop loan service is available from Digital and Technology Services. Find out more about IT services

Help and support

Not sure where to get started? Attend your Faculty’s library induction or join one of our online sessions.

Our Library staff are here to help with any of your queries. Get in touch by live chat, email or phone. The live chat icon will show on our webpages when a member of staff is available.

You can also follow @UoNLibraries on Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates and top tips.

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Caution regarding phishing emails

September 17th, 2021

Digital and Technology Services have identified that phishing emails have been sent to a number of staff and students today (Friday 17 September). We are currently in the process of dealing with this issue.  

 Examples of the phishing emails are below:  

 Subject: Re: University of Nottingham 

screen shot of phishing email

Subject: SECURITY ALART 

Screen shot of phishing email

The link that is given in these emails has now been blocked and cannot be accessed from the university network.  

  •  I have clicked on the link in this email and entered details, what should I do?  

Please phone the IT Service Desk on 0115 95 16677 and tell them that you have entered details in the link that was given in a phishing email. You should also change your university password using the guidance on our webpage.   

  • I have received this email and clicked on the link, but have not entered any details, what should I do?  

Please delete the email. No further action is required.  

We ask all staff and students to remain cautious. If you are unsure about an email that you have received, please report it and delete it. Do not click on any links that are included.  

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Applications open for 2021 Confidence in Concept scheme

September 17th, 2021

Applications are now open for the 2021 Medical Research Council funded Confidence in Concept scheme, awards which are administered by the university.

These grants are designed to support discovery research to facilitate acceleration to early stage therapeutic / diagnostic development in any area of health and offer funding to support preliminary work, or feasibility studies, which establish the viability of the approach.

Who can apply?
Members of the University of Nottingham with prospective projects which are suitable for early stage translational research funding can apply.

Projects should aim to generate sufficient preliminary data to establish the viability of an approach before seeking more substantive translational funding (e.g. from the Developmental Pathway Funding Scheme (DPFS)).

To apply, visit the Workspace pages and follow the instructions.

The deadline for applications is Tuesday 2 November 2021 at 4pm.

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Brief road closure – A52 and Coates building

September 16th, 2021

UPDATE: We have been informed that due to an accident that took place at the aforementioned time this work was unable to go ahead and has been rescheduled to take place over night on Sunday 3 October.

The university has been informed that Saturday 18 September will see a brief period of road closure due to maintenance for the A52. This will impact access to University Park Campus via the Coates building entrance.

The road will be closed at 8pm on Saturday evening and is booked by Amey Highways who are handling the maintenance, until 6am the next morning (Sunday 19 September).

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Childcare services – spaces available

September 16th, 2021

There are currently full-time and part-time places available for both the Day Nursery and Playcentre at the university’s Childcare Services.

The service provides quality childcare, with several staff qualified to Early Years Professional Status and a number of staff who are graduates.

Both settings have been awarded ‘outstanding’ rating with Ofsted and are registered with Nottingham City Local Education Authority to provide 15 hours of free education per week. There is also an additional 15 hours per week extended offer for those who are eligible as well as free hours for eligible two-year-olds.

To be eligible for a place, parents must meet one of the following criteria:

  • A full-time registered student at the University of Nottingham, including an additional allowance of one year for final year PhD students writing up
  • A staff member on a permanent or fixed-term contract of employment with the university

For more information please visit the Childcare Services website, or contact childcareservices@nottingham.ac.uk.

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UoN goes for gold to support childhood cancer campaign

September 15th, 2021

The University of Nottingham is lighting its iconic Trent Building gold this week in support of Childhood Cancer Awareness month.

Childhood Cancer Awareness month (CCAM) takes place every September to highlight the signs and symptoms, diagnosis and treatments for children’s cancers with the aim of raising awareness and funds.

The Trent Building will be glowing gold on the evening of Thursday 16 September and will join iconic buildings across the region and UK who are lighting up gold during the month.

Research into Childhood Cancer is taking place at the university, with Dr Shaarna Shanmugavadivel leading the Childhood Cancer Diagnosis Study to understand how cancer is diagnosed in children and young people across the UK.

The project aims to help researchers to understand the journey that children and young people experience from the start of their symptoms until they receive their diagnosis of cancer.

To do this, experts will collect information about what symptoms they experience, who they go to see with these symptoms initially, and how long it takes before the diagnosis is reached.

Dr Shanmugavadivel said: “It’s fantastic that the university is supporting Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and lighting up gold. The misperception by the public and professionals that childhood cancer is rare means it is often not considered until the child has multiple symptoms at which point it is more likely to be at an advanced stage. Time is crucial; untreated, tumours grow bigger and can spread around the body requiring more extensive surgery and more intensive therapies to offer cure.

Early diagnosis is therefore key and this is why raising awareness of the signs and symptoms through campaigns such as HeadSmart and undertaking research to understand diagnostic delays is vital to help ensure better survival and long-term outcomes for children.”

Jane Icke, who works at the university, is backing the CCAM campaign as her daughter Alice has been treated for cancer twice – kidney cancer in 2014, known as a Wilms tumour, which returned in her lung in 2015. Alice was treated at QMC and is now almost 5 years in remission.

Alice Icke outside of Trent Building lit in gold

Jane said: “It took repeated trips to the GP with various symptoms before we got a cancer diagnosis for Alice. Her symptoms could have been many childhood illnesses which made it difficult to spot initially and it wasn’t until we took her with a very swollen tummy that we were sent to hospital.

Even then I never in a million years thought it could be cancer. Finding out your child has cancer is a devastating shock as are the treatments children face which are harsh and gruelling with many side effects. Alice had two major surgeries, countless rounds of chemotherapy which led to fevers and illness due to reduced immunity, blood transfusions and inevitable hospital stays.

She also had radiotherapy and finally high dose chemo followed by a stem cell transplant. To improve children’s chances of survival and to reduce the long term side effects of treatment there needs to be better awareness around the signs and symptoms of cancer in children, which isn’t as rare as people think, and more funding for the development of kinder, more targeted treatments.”

A number of Childhood Cancer charities are involved in CCAM fundraising activities including: CCLG, and Cancer Research UK.

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