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University Updates
Welcome to your regular update
This week in University Updates...
There's an update on The Festival of Discovery, information on exam resources and sign up details for the Virtual Summer Recruitment Fair!
Festival of Discovery
After the exams period, join us for a Festival of Discovery on our Exeter campuses from Monday 24 May – Friday 4 June. Organised with your Students’ Guild, the festival will offer exciting academic and social events for you to attend, as well as the chance to reconnect with your friends and academic departments.
Stay tuned for future updates, which will also be available on our webpage here. We’ll be working hard to keep you safe throughout by ensuring we adhere to the latest Government COVID-19 regulations and guidelines.
We know that not everyone will be able to attend the Festival in person, so there will be other opportunities to engage remotely, including Challenges Online. If you have scheduled teaching during the Festival (as for postgraduates whose programmes began in January), you’re still welcome to engage in the Festival as much as you’re able to.
Returning after spring break? Get COVID-19 tested and you could grab a free voucher
Thank you to those of you who have engaged with regular testing for COVID-19. If you have been away for the spring break, we expect you to get tested as soon as possible after you return and then regularly twice a week, every week. It’s even more important now because we’ve worked so hard together to control and minimise transmission in our University community and we want to ensure this continues as more students return and activities are able to restart.
To say thanks to everyone getting tested, we’re giving away vouchers and prizes at all of our test centres – book your test now, or drop into our new test pod in the Forum and you could grab a free coffee, treat or maybe a pizza to share with your household. If you are coming onto the campus irregularly, please get a test each time you come.
If you live in the St James’ Park area of the city, don’t forget, we have our test centre based in the Centre Spot Bar at Exeter City FC’s ground. This is open Monday, Thursday and Friday 1:30pm - 4pm, and there is no need to book.
Further information can be found on our dedicated student COVID-19 testing webpages. If you receive a positive test result, let us know via the form online.
IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19 THE TEST YOU NEED IS DIFFERENT
Remember, if you develop COVID-19 symptoms, such as a high temperature, new continuous cough or a loss of taste/smell, you must self-isolate and request a HALO PCR test through our Rapid Response Hub.
Good Luck with your Exams!
We would like to take this opportunity to wish those of you with examinations starting this week the best of luck. Last Thursday we sent an email detailing all of the information you need to know while completing your online examinations. You can find this information here.
If you experience any issues during a live exam, you should contact the Assessment Helpdesk, so that they can log the issue and give you urgent assistance. Please don’t contact your module tutors during a live examination. The Assessment Helpdesk is run by a support team who are able to respond to queries on all examinations whilst they are taking place and open.
You can contact the Helpdesk by calling +44 (0) 1392 72 6800 or emailing examshelp@exeter.ac.uk. The Helpdesk is open between 8am - 8pm BST from Monday to Saturday (except for Monday 3 May 2021 as this is a UK bank holiday) and 8am - 1:30pm BST on Sunday. The Helpdesk will close to new enquiries at 1:30pm BST on Saturday 22 May.
For more examination information, please read the Student Handbook for online examinations from this webpage, as well as the answers to frequently asked questions and useful guides.
Managing exam stress
We understand that the exam period is a stressful time for many of you. With this in mind, Wellbeing services have put together a webinar to help you manage exam stress. The session aims to give you tips on how you can deal with stress to better look after yourself and enable you to perform better as a result. If you need additional wellbeing resources, advice and support, you can check out our wellbeing webpages here. We are here to support you.
Do you have exams and deadlines approaching?
Remember Study Zone is here to offer advice and guidance in a range of study skills including revision strategies, exam strategies, academic writing and referencing. Look at our online guidance, drop-in to a Writing Café or book a 1:1 appointment.
Exehale – Opening in early May!
If you are looking for a quiet place to escape amongst the stress of exams and revision, come and discover Exehale, a new Wellbeing space in Devonshire House. Situated on the second floor, Exehale will provide a relaxing, welcoming and wheelchair-accessible space for all students with Wellbeing resources and a comfy chair to relax and recharge. We will soon be publicising the Exehale opening date and details of our website with opening times and programme of activities so keep an eye on the newsletter, Guild pages and social media. If you have any questions or enquiries about using the space, please email us at exehale@exeter.ac.uk.
Wellbeing Survey – we want to hear from you
As part of our ongoing effort to continuously improve our services and support, we would like to invite you to fill out our short survey on the Wellbeing Services at the University. This survey should take no more than 5-10 minutes to complete. All data collected in this survey will be treated anonymously. More information regarding data protection at the University of Exeter can be found here.
Have you used The Digital Hub?
We're looking for feedback on The Digital Hub. If you've used The Digital Hub at any point across this year we'd love to hear from you. Your feedback will help us to tailor and improve our offering for all students. Click the link here.
Not yet used the Digital Hub? Join the 20,000 other University staff and students that have! We’re here to help you make the most of digital tools regardless of whether you're studying remotely or in person: The Digital Hub.
Library update
To those of you who haven’t yet visited the Forum Library this academic year (and a reminder for those who have), you’ll notice things look a little different.
Watch this excellent video, created by Library Champion, Yudy Wu, to find out more.
Our second Big Conversation is now open
Our second Big Conversation, which will help to shape our 2030 Strategy, is live from today until Friday 7 May. In this Big Conversation we will be discussing some important topics including what we think our key priorities should be, how we want work together on our journey to 2030 and what values should underpin all that we do? Your unique username and password will be emailed to you again today along with the link you need to follow to take part. Please do take the time to get involved, you can share your own ideas or simply read, vote and comment on the ideas of others. For further information visit our website or email strategy2030@exeter.ac.uk if you have any questions.
Check your contacts
Did you know that you can view, update and add your emergency contacts and home and term-time address online via the Student Record System (SRS)? Please take a minute to check that your personal information is correct by logging in to iExeter through your mobile app or the website. Click on the Student Record & Registration (SRS) tile; then select the ‘Edit Emergency Contact information’ and 'Edit address' sections in the facilities box.
EU Settlement Scheme deadline
EU/EEA and Swiss students resident in the UK on or before 31 December 2020 must apply for a status under the EU Settlement Scheme by 30 June 2021 if they wish to remain in the UK without a visa past that date. Applying for a status under the EU Settlement Scheme also ensures that you will have the option to live in the UK permanently as long as you maintain continuous residence in the UK. Detailed information, and how to access specialist advice from International Student Support, is on our website.
Last chance to apply to be a Student Community Warden for 2021/22!
Do you want to be part of an innovative team, supporting students and working in the local community? Are you interested in a flexible, part time job that provides experience in working with community organisations?
We’re currently seeking to recruit Student Community Wardens to work with our Community Liaison Team throughout 2021/22.
To find out more about how to become a Community Warden visit our recruiting page on Handshake. If you haven’t already, sign up for Handshake here. The deadline for applications is tonight (Mon 26 April) at 23:55. Contact communitywardens@exeter.ac.uk for more information.
Success for All forum
As part of the Success for All strategy, your Students’ Guild VP Education, Penny Dinh, and the Associate Academic Dean for Students (Racial Equality and Inclusion), Dr Vrinda Nayak, created the Students’ Forum to bring together student representatives and leaders within the university community. This is a space for student leaders to feedback on:
- The University’s equality and inclusion initiatives and actions,
- Equality and inclusion issues that you may face in the curriculum, teaching and learning practices, and wider student experience.
To stay in the loop about the meeting and to raise any equality and inclusion feedback, make sure you contact your Equality Reps. We have over 111 Equality Reps across all courses on Streatham and St Luke’s campuses, and you can find out who they are by logging onto our website.
Provost Commission Extraordinary Session focussed on Gender Safety
Last week we held an extraordinary session of the Provost Commission focussed on gender safety. This was an outcomes focussed forum, where staff and students came together to discuss and prioritise actions on bystander training, consent, physical safety on campus and in the community, our policies and processes and how to ensure we set expectations of behaviour right from the outset of the student journey. We will be focussing on gender safety and the intersectionality of these issues within our wider EDI strategy over the next few months – please email Lizzie and Jen, Business Managers to the Provost on caughey.fook@exeter.ac.uk if you would like to be involved.
Your Students' Guild updates
At the end of each academic year, we host The Students’ Guild Awards to recognise the exceptional achievements of our student groups and individuals. This year it’s more important than ever to send in your nominations of who you think has gone above and beyond to make Exeter and the wider community a positive place. Nominations are now open!
If you’ve got exams coming up, we’ve got webinars, playlists and more to help you out. Head to our website for loads of resources including revision and exam skills and techniques to beat procrastination!
Sports and social activities
A sports activity programme is available throughout term 3, including fitness classes, rugby, football, ultimate frisbee and dodgeball. You do not have to be a member of the sports park or gym to get involved – view the timetable and book online.
Coming up at Mind Over Natter: Using poetry to cope with ad-verse-ity
Poet, writing tutor and lecturer, Anthony Wilson is joining us for Mind Over Natter this Wednesday to talk about the relationship between poetry and health. Sign up for free to find out how you can use poetry to reduce stress and anxiety. The talk is being held live on teams on Wednesday 28 May from 12.45-1.30. All students and staff are welcome to attend.
Nominate your Alumni Volunteer of the Year!
Our Alumni Volunteer Awards celebrate all of our amazing volunteers and say thank you to those exceptional individuals who do so much to support us all.
This is your opportunity to nominate those who have given their time and expertise to support students at Exeter throughout the last 12 months which have been challenging for us all. It may be through mentoring, mock interviews, careers talks, or society support.
The closing date for entries is Monday 10 May 2021. The shortlist will be announced later in May. Our judging panel (made up of alumni, student and staff representatives) will then meet to choose the winner in each category from the shortlist. Winners will be announced in early June as part of National Volunteers’ Week celebrations.
Nominating is quick and easy. Simply complete the short nomination form online telling us who you would like to nominate and why you think they deserve the award (in no more than 150 words).
University of Exeter Virtual Summer Recruitment Fair – Registration now open!
On Thursday 27 May 2021 we will be holding our first Virtual Summer Recruitment Fair.
We will be hosting a diverse range of organisations, offering part time and casual work, internships, placements and graduate opportunities, as well as postgraduate study. All University of Exeter students are welcome regardless of your year of study, subject or campus.
Activate your Handshake account and apply to work with us in Autumn 2021
If you haven’t already done so, now’s a great time to log into Handshake – our new careers portal. We’ve already created an account for you, you just need to activate it. If you don’t, you’ll miss out on jobs and opportunities, you won’t be able to register for our careers fairs, or network with top employers looking specifically for University of Exeter students. Also, you won’t be able to apply to work with us in an exciting, hands on role starting Autumn 2021. Search SCP 5508 for Streatham Campus. Activate your account, and don’t miss out.
Don’t forget to sign up to one of our upcoming skill sessions!
Each online session is designed to aid your professional development and give you the confidence to apply your newly acquired skills in the workplace. Attendance at many of the skill sessions will also count towards the Exeter Award. To find out what’s running this week and to book your place visit My Career Zone.
All of the following events will be held online:
Wednesday 28 May, 12.45-1.30,Mind Over Natter: Using poetry to cope with ad-verse-ity, sign up is free!
Don't forget to also keep your eye out on events and activities run by your Students’ Guild.
Tell us what you think of this newsletter:
Get in touch with your feedback or news stories at: studentcomms@exeter.ac.uk
