As you will be aware, we are once again in a national lockdown. For universities this means moving most of our activity online until at least mid-February. We are continuing to work through the information from the Government, planning how we can deliver teaching online for most of our courses and how we support all our students.
I am clear that we need to continue to support your health and wellbeing. I am also absolutely committed to doing everything I can to make sure you can complete your studies successfully this academic year.
While there will be reduced or limited services available on our campuses in the coming weeks, the services you need will still be available to you.
Your studies, and Covid tests for students on campus
Specific information relating to your course will be available shortly from your faculty, including arrangements for placement students. If your course is resuming on campus you will be able to get tested quickly, and often, at our on-campus testing sites.
I have heard some concerns about the safety of having testing sites on our campuses. Please be assured that they are being carefully run, in conjunction with our local public health partners and meet all public health safety requirements. They are situated to ensure that there is minimal contact possible with other activities and facilities.
Our plans for examinations and assessments are unchanged and we will be updating our No Detriment Policy, which ensures that no student loses out because of the pandemic. We will provide you with further details as soon as possible. I am absolutely committed to supporting you in as many ways as possible. I am sure that you will all understand that as we only received the information about the lockdown on Monday evening at 8pm, the same as everyone else and we need a few days to work through the details and provide guidance.
Travel
The Government advice is to stay at home if you can, this includes travelling from home to university accommodation. If you are likely to experience any issues or problems in accessing your studies from home, please contact our Student Centre so we can provide you with the support you need.
Our inter-campus university bus service will be put on hold from next week (week beginning 11 January). You will be able to access support from our transport services if you need it, please contact travel@gre.ac.uk
Our libraries are open for essential use
They will remain open from 9am – 7pm on weekdays and 9am – 5pm on weekends. It is important that you follow our Covid-Safe guidelines when using these spaces. They will continue to provide spaces for quiet, socially distanced, independent study. We will also extend the loan dates for books to the end of February.
Accommodation
When you booked student accommodation with us at the start of this academic year, we made you an Accommodation Promise, which we will honour. This means that hall fees will be rebated for the period from 11 January until the date you return, up to 15 February if your course has moved completely online and you are not using your room. We will keep this under review as the Government reviews lockdown arrangements. Additional information will be circulated by Accommodation Services shortly.
Wellbeing and Financial support
Please remember that the university is here to support you, and our support services are available to you. These will continue both online and in-person during the lockdown. You can find the details of the Student Wellbeing Service and the Students' Union Advice Service on our website.
Financial support is also available, via the Greenwich Hardship Fund and we have also opened a dedicated hardship fund for continuing international and EU students. You can contact our finance advisors on studentfinance@gre.ac.uk for more information.
I know these are very challenging times, but we will get through them and the roll-out of Covid vaccinations is news to be welcomed.
Please be assured that the university will continue to do everything we can to keep you informed and updated. Please continue to check your emails, the portal, Moodle and our social media channels.
If you have any concerns, please get in touch with your faculty team.
Please take care and stay safe.
Professor Jane Harrington
Vice-Chancellor
