Along with other Universities, students’ unions, and other higher education facilities around the world, The SU is responding to the evolving situation regarding the Coronavirus outbreak. As ever, our highest priority is the health and wellbeing of our students and staff, and any further action we take will be with this concern most firmly in mind. We recognise that these are exceptional circumstances – as a result of which we have been responding on a day to day basis. We will continue to update students via our website and social media channels as the situation changes.
Falmouth University Updates University of Exeter Updates
Safe Community CharterCampus services
Return to activities
Update from Amelia Banton, SU President Student Experience (19 March 2021)
Since the publication of the roadmap, I've been working with the Student Opps team and the Universities to understand how we can safely and legally return to activities in line with the Government Roadmap.
Last Friday, we contacted our sports clubs and societies to let them know what activity can happen when, starting with a return of outdoor sports on 29 March in line with NGB guidance, and societies in groups of up to six outside.
The most important thing about activities is that they happen safely, and we’ll be asking more information from group committees to ensure this is the case. We'll be asking for updated risk assessments, so, if you are on a committee, please help us to do this by working with the Student Opps team. We’ll also be making sure venues used by groups have their own Covid-19 secure plans to keep you safe and making sure that group event capacities are in line with government guidelines. All of these processes are in place to allow you to return to your group’s activity safely and bring student communities back together.
One of the hardest things about the pandemic has been the lack of human interaction and I have shared your frustrations this year as persistent lockdowns have hampered previous attempts to get your activities back up and running. I hope that in the months ahead you can all get back to the sports and societies that you love.
Support and resources
It’s been a rollercoaster ride this year, with lots of challenges thrown your way. But fret not - we are here for you. We’d like to take this time to introduce our ‘Together, Wherever’ campaign.
We know that with the current national lockdown your daily lives may have changed slightly (or quite a bit!) but we wanted to reach out and let you know that we are here - together, wherever.
Whether you are isolating in halls, in your student house or are a distance learner - we have tonnes of great resources available to help you stay connected throughout the next month. That might mean talking to your Student Rep for your course to give feedback on your academic experience, or finding out about student events that have moved online.
We’ll be adding to our campaign page over the following weeks with additional signposting to the range of student services available, as well as suggesting different ways to help you stay connected throughout lockdown.
#SUTogetherWherever Campaign
Accessing our Advice Service remotely
The Students' Union's Advice Service is open 9am-5pm Monday to Friday. Adviser appointments are available by phone or Microsoft Teams - you can book your appointment by visiting the Make an Appointment page. You can also email advice@thesu.org.uk with any other enquiries.
Online communities & opportunities
Following the postponement of in-person group activities, we are pleased to say that we are continuing to support all of the wonderful student activities that are now taking place online. Please take a look at the links below to see what activities you can still get involved in.
The mental and physical wellbeing of students and staff remains our main concern. We are continuing to work with the Universities during this time, ensuring all actions and decisions are made with the University Community in mind. Stay safe and look after each other. We thank you for your continued support as we adapt during this time. Please do keep an eye on this page for more information about our services.
Useful links & information
It continues to be the Universities’ policy to follow the PHE advice about Covid-19, along with guidance from the NHS and the FCO?in the UK. As previously outlined, The SU will take its lead from the Universities and follow its policy and guidelines wherever possible.
Please keep checking your University’s and our website and social media channels for the latest updates. If you have any questions, queries or concerns please contact us at info@thesu.org.uk.
UniWellbeing App
It continues to be the Universities’ policy to follow the PHE advice about Covid-19, along with guidance from the NHS and the FCO?in the UK. As previously outlined, The SU will take its lead from the Universities and follow its policy and guidelines wherever possible.