Hi all, my Dd has just received this from UEA. The vaccine can’t come soon enough for me. I’m optimistic there are better times ahead for our youngsters. I wish you all a happy & healthy new year.
Following the government’s announcement yesterday (30 December2020), the University has received further details in a letter from the Minister of State for Universities, Michelle Donelan MP.
In summary, government has asked universities to:
Limitthe number of students travelling and returning to campus to help reduce the transmission of the coronavirus;
Testthose students who do arrive back and those who remained on campus; and
Supportstudents to stay at home (or at their vacation accommodation) until their face-to-face teaching starts.
The return of students to our campus will be paused until at least the week beginning 25 January - other than those students on specific practice-based courses that require professional accreditation (principally in medicine and health, social work, teacher training and pharmacy).
This is a change to the staggered return of students which we had communicated on the 11 December2020.
Under the government’s new requirements, students are able to return to campus as planned for study activity if any of the following conditions apply:
Students who are on professionally regulated courses in MED, HSC, PGCEs in EDU, Social Work or Pharmacy
Students who are without access to appropriate study spaces or facilities in their vacation accommodation
Students who require additional support at UEA, including for mental health issues
Students who stayed at UEA over the winter break, including international students
Students who are required to undertake on-site learning or exams/assessments in order to qualify with professional accreditation
Researchers and research students who require access to specialist facilities that are only available on campus
International students who have already made travel plans that cannot be delayed
Please note there will be no changes to the online assessments already planned for January - which will continue as scheduled.
The government will be reviewing its approach to higher education again on 18 January2021.As soon as we have further information, we will email all students. We will still need to stagger the return of students to manage travel and ensure that every student can have the required two rapid Covid tests. This may mean that some teaching will need to continue to be online for students in early February (except for those in the programmes identified above).
I realise this news may prompt further questions and require some students to change their travel plans. I hope this email at least provides a degree of clarity and we will continue to keep you informed as further details become clear from the government. Please continue to check theMy UEA portalfor information on returning to campus and testing requirements.
Testing:
If you did book a rapid Covid test that you now need to change you can do so by using the ‘manage booking/change your appointment link that can be found in the booking email confirmation you were sent or via your Outlook calendar appointment.
If you haven’t yet booked your two rapid Covid test three days apart, please do so as soon as you arrive back at University, by following thisrapid testing link.
UEA is focussed on supporting you and ensuring you can meet the academic and practical requirements of your course during this unprecedented time.