How do you think Covid19 will affect your institutions?

[dodi1978]

Just curious... my uni has already said that they will be postponing major capital investment projects, but want to avoid redundancies.
I am still worried about my job as a new degree programme, which is the only programme I am currently associated with, relies heavily on international recruitment. On the other hand, I think that online learning will expand massively and I've gor more experience in this than many others...

I don't know. Sigh. Ideas?

P.S How is working from home going, in particular if you have kids? For me, it's now Easter break for teaching and many of my other projects have dried up or been postponed. I am really struggling with the sudden change of pace and being a SAHM! My husband tries to do his normal working hours in daytime whilst I keep on top of things in the evening.

[Chemenger]

Convenor not conveyor.

[Chemenger]

I had very reluctantly taken back the role of conveyor of the board of examiners just before CV kicked off. What a mistake that was. I also coordinate UG recruitment activities, normally that’s just a few post offer visit days and open days, now there is tonnes of new online stuff to produce. All that and a head of department who cannot apparently ever bear to part with information, however crucial it is to other people. I usually handle it by cornering him in a corridor, now he simply never replies to emails. He’s been in a meeting every day with senior management (according to his calendar) yet there has been not one single item of information that has been passed on to the rest of us.

[Bezalelle]

it's not a huge job but that includes some time I've booked off for Easter

Don't do it. Speak to your union if unreasonable demands are being placed on you.

[damekindness]

I hear you @MaudBaileysGreenTurban same here and it's like being thrown into a whirlwind, while you're on fire while you get a series of conflicting instructions from your university, regulators and placement providers and then get shouted at by rightly worried students

Apart from that it's fine

[MaudBaileysGreenTurban]

I run a programme for undergraduate health students who are about to be sent onto the front line. It has thrown everything up in the air, and no-one knows when, where or how it's going to come back down.

And since all assessments have gone online exams that would have been OSCEs, practical exams assessed and marked within the space of a single day, have all had to become written assessments.

So, yeah, that's why I drink.

[worstofbothworlds]

And another load of marking. 4 week turnaround, it's not a huge job but that includes some time I've booked off for Easter (we were supposed to be going away but I've left the time as AL).

[worstofbothworlds]

I still have:
Grant deadline
Marking
Large admin task that is v woolly and was one of the reasons I went off work with stress and then reduced my hours
Ongoing research project but on hold as it involves contact with stakeholders. We are updating them and I suggested sending colleagues' reassuring and slightly related blog post but No this is Wrong as it's not directly related to our project. Thing is, I have personal experience of the life of a stakeholder and my other colleagues don't and I think they'd want reassurance.
Oh and two KS1/EYFS DCs at home and a keyworker DH.
Next?

[damekindness]

I think anyone on a fixed term or doesn't have a permanent contract is going to be at risk in mine. Those few lucky enough to remain will have workloads that will be impossible ( and my previous/current workload was verging on impossible anyway )

[WarmCinnamonZoflora]

we are cutting back the palate of unit offerings next term. I bet we do a lot more online from now too. I suspect the financial tightening we already had will get tighter. fewer staff hires and replacements if any. I really hope sabbaticals don't go. I am due one soon.

[Daca]

I think many of us are struggling. But from what I’ve seen in the news today, the whole regulatory environment might change:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-52086932
It is probably too early to predict the impact on individual institutions...