This is not a decision that has been taken lightly, but in the current exceptional circumstances, I believe it is in the best interests of our whole university community.
Staff should continue to attend work as usual, unless you are experiencing any health issues in which case please follow the latest government guidance and report absence in the usual way.
Face-to-face assessments and examinations that were due to take place from Monday 16 March will now need to be rearranged so they they can take place remotely.
All coursework-based assessments that were due to be submitted via Moodle will go ahead as usual. If appropriate, in some instances your faculty may choose to adopt some extensions. Where an assessment was due to take place face to face (such as presentations), faculties will work on creating alternative plans.
Colleagues across the university have been working for some time to prepare for this eventuality. While there may be some initial challenges that we may all experience, I'm confident that we can pull together to do the best we possibly can under unprecedented circumstances.
Please ensure that you are familiar with the latest advice from ILS about home working and attend the sessions early next week.
All our campuses will remain open and our libraries, IT and other student services can be accessed in the usual way.
I recognise that this is an anxious time for our students and staff and our primary concern is the wellbeing of you and your family and friends.
We will review this decision before the start of the new term on Monday 27 April. In the meantime we will continue to update the Coronavirus update page, the Coronavirus FAQs and the FAQs for staff.
The university is here to support our students and staff. If you have any concerns, please speak to your line manager.
Please continue to follow the up-to-date government advice.
Prof Jane Harrington
Vice-Chancellor
