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University Updates
Welcome back to your regular University Updates.
This week in University Updates...
There’s info on how to protect yourself from scammers, the Access to Internships scheme, useful wellbeing resources and exciting events for you to get involved in.
COVID-19 vaccinations - more dates
We have more COVID-19 vaccination drop in clinics taking place over the next month. If you haven’t already had yours, you can drop into any of the clinics listed below. The clinics will offer the Pfizer vaccine - you can get your first or second dose at the clinic – if it is your second dose, your first must have been Pfizer and must have been at least 8 weeks ago. Bookings can be made two weeks prior to each clinic, please book here.
Upcoming clinics:
- Wednesday 13 October, 10am-3pm at The Stannary
- Wednesday 17 November, 10am-3pm at The Stannary.
Feeling unwell? Stay at home
If you are feeling unwell, make sure you get tested for COVID-19 – get a PCR test. If your results are negative and you have a non-COVID-19 cough or cold, stay at home if you can and don’t come onto campus to use study or social spaces. Keep wearing your face mask, using hand sanitiser and keep a sociable distance from others. This will help stop the spread of germs as well as the transmission of COVID-19.
Self-isolation - know the rules
If you’ve been in contact with someone who has tested positive, you’re at risk of contracting and transmitting COVID-19. You must self-isolate unless you’re exempt for the following reasons:
- you are fully vaccinated (UK Government/MHRA approved, and 14 days have passed since your second dose)
- you are below the age of 18 years 6 months
- you have taken part in or are currently part of an approved COVID-19 vaccine trial
- you are not able to get vaccinated for medical reasons
If you have had COVID-19 before, this does not mean you are exempt from self-isolating
Please do not travel during your self-isolation period. If you do wish to return to your family home during this time, please do not use public transport and ensure you wear your face covering in private transport to reduce the risk of transmission. More information on when to self-isolate and the support available to you if you need to can be found on our website.
Don't forget - if you're self-isolating and can't attend in-person lectures, report it
If you are unable to attend your in-person lectures because you’re self-isolating, you should report this via iExeter using the 'teaching and learning tools' tile. You should also speak to your tutor for advice on how to catch up on any missed classes.
Changes to International travel - a reminder
The rules for international travel to England have changed and are now based on a single red list of countries alongside simplified travel measures for arrivals from the rest of the world. For countries and territories not on the red list, the rules will now depend on your vaccination status.
If you are fully vaccinated you will now need to:
- book and pay for a day 2 COVID-19 test – to be taken after arrival in England
- complete your passenger locator form
- take a COVID-19 test on or before day 2 after you arrive in England
For red list countries, the rules have not changed and you will still be required to self-isolate in a managed quarantine hotel, regardless of vaccination status.
Remember if you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 then you must not travel but self-isolate and book a PCR test. If you receive a positive test result, you will be required to self-isolate for 10 days regardless of your vaccination status.
For a full list of FAQs and further details, please check out our dedicated Student travel web pages.
Layer up to keep warm
Keeping windows open or mechanically ventilating indoor spaces is one measure we’re taking to minimise the spread of COVID-19 on campus. The more fresh air that is brought inside, the quicker any airborne virus will be removed from an indoor space. Keep windows open during the day and close them when you leave to ensure security and retain heat. The heating is on but as the weather gets colder, please wrap up and wear extra layers to keep warm and healthy. For more information and advice visit the Coronavirus web pages.
Protect yourself against infections
Make sure you are protected against infections while you are at Uni:
Meningitis and Measles Mumps and Rubella: Check you have had the Meningitis ACWY vaccination and two Measles Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccinations. For more information, please contact Penryn surgery or your doctor
Flu (influenza) vaccinations are also free on the NHS for patients with certain chronic health conditions - please check the NHS website for eligibility and speak to your health centre about how to book an appointment.
HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) vaccinations: Women aged 25 years and under are eligible for the HPV vaccination - if you have missed any or all of the doses which protect against genital cancers and genital warts, contact the Student Health Centre or your doctor.
Beware of scammers
Unfortunately, criminals do target students to try to get money and/or personal details, so please be vigilant. Scammers often target international students particularly, and appear genuine.
If you’re contacted and it seems unusual, unexpected or just odd, please end the call/communication. You should then contact us so we can offer you advice on what to do next. If the person who contacted you is genuine they won’t mind you checking this and then getting back to them. Find out more on our web pages here.
Hate crime awareness workshop - tomorrow
A Hate Crime Awareness Workshop is being jointly run by the CCWP’s Chinese Lantern Project and the Devon and Cornwall Diverse Communities Team tomorrow, Tuesday 12 October 1-2.30pm via Teams. For enquiries and registration, please contact CCWP on 0808 802 0012.
SafeZone app
SafeZone is an app that helps us to help you whilst on campus, if you request it. The app is available for you to download and sign in to if you wish. You can find out more on our coming to campus pages.
FREE drink spiking test kits and personal alarm
While our campuses are safe places to live and socialise, for those who would like them we have free personal alarms and drink spiking test kits. They’re available from the Glasney Lodge, the Compass Helpdesk, Students' Union Office, the Security Information Building and the Stannary Bar. We also recommend you download the Safe Zone app.
Drink spiking is the act of adding unwanted chemicals or alcohol to someone’s drink. Remember - don’t leave your drink unattended and never accept a drink if you haven’t seen it being poured/opened, or accept a drink from someone you don’t know or trust. If you think your drink’s been spiked, get help straight away. Drink spiking carries a maximum 10 year prison sentence - adding something to a friend’s drink may seem like a bit of fun, but it can be very dangerous and could result in criminal charges. Find out more here.
Exam adjustments – apply NOW!
If you had exam adjustments in place at school or college, these DON’T automatically transfer to university. These adjustments likely included:
- extra time
- using a laptop
- taking your exam in a smaller room
- having a scribe
If you think this applies to you – or you aren’t sure – please get in touch with Accessibility as soon as possible.
The deadline for arrangements for the January 2021 exams is Monday 8 November and you need to have sent your supporting evidence to Accessibility before this date. We recommend applying for exam adjustments as soon as possible, so they are in place before any Mid-term exams you may have scheduled.
Religious Observance
We make every effort to avoid holding exams on religious days or festivals, where commitment to the observance of their faith would otherwise cause students to miss the exam.
If you will be observing a religious day or event during the January assessment period, from 10 - 15 January 2022, please let us know by completing the form, by Friday 22 October at the latest.
Student check-in
During some or all of your sessions, your lecturer may share a One Time Code for engagement monitoring. At the moment, each course chooses whether or not to monitor your engagement this way, so don’t worry if your modules don’t all follow the same procedure. Using check-in information allows us to review engagement for welfare purposes and helps ensure Tier 4 visa holders meet their attendance requirements. Read more to find out how it works.
How does it work?
Your lecturer will share the code with you during your session - you’ll need to log into iExeter, input this code and register your attendance. If you don’t have a device for accessing iExeter or you have difficulty using the system, don’t worry, try refreshing your sessions or let your lecturer know so they can log in on your behalf.
If there has been a timetabling change or update, it can take up to 72 hours to be reflected in the check-in system, so you might need to log out and back in again. If you have any questions contact the Digital Hub or visit us in the Library IT Suite.
We recommend you read the full guidance on student check-in, including troubleshooting advice and screenshots, within the Digital Hub SharePoint.
Why should we check-in to sessions?
Using check-in information allows us to review engagement for welfare purposes and helps ensure Tier 4 visa holders meet their attendance requirements.
Food and staffing update
Please read this message from Lee Hallam, Director of Commercial Operations, about the current situation with staff shortages and food supplies that are affecting our on-campus catering and shops.
Mind Over Natter: Getting productive and feeling good
Struggling to strike a good balance between studying too much or too little? Join the study skills team for Mind Over Natter on Wednesday 13 October 12.45 - 13.30 to learn some time management tricks which can help you achieve success and improve your wellbeing.
Join Sophie Wonnacott and Jennie Fox from Study Zone as they demonstrate how digital tools and a flexible approach to time management can help you take back control of your time. Find out more and register for free here.
Wellbeing workshops
Stress and Wellbeing Workshop
This course is designed to help you get a better understanding of what stress is, what causes stress and what keeps it going. Over the four sessions you can learn to manage your own stress better to enhance your wellbeing and overall health. You can find out more here.
The next sessions start on Wednesday 13 October 2021 1pm-2.30pm. Please click here to register your place: Stress and Wellbeing Booking Form
Settling into Uni life - online webinar
Uni life can be exciting but may bring challenges, especially in the pandemic. As many of us are on campus for the first time, or perhaps after a long time away, feelings may be mixed. This webinar is for everyone and is designed to help you identify and tackle some of the challenges associated with starting or resuming university life. It takes place on Zoom on Thursday 14 October from 2-3pm. You can join here.
Black History Month events
To check out our full list of events for Black History Month, including events from your Students' Union, please visit our webpage here.
Call For Education Incubator Student-Led Projects 2021/22
Anti-Racism (SLAR) and Gender Safety (GS) Projects
The Exeter Education Incubator is looking for teams of students who want to work on projects that make the University anti-racist, as well as teams of students who want to work on projects to improve Gender Safety issues at the University. These projects are run in conjunction with the Provost’s Office and build on the projects run last academic year, which are on our website here.
You will be able to bid for up to £5,000 to run your project from October 2021 to July 2022. The application form is on Twitter and will be available soon. The deadline for applications will be at 5pm on Monday 25 October.
If you would like to discuss an idea or have questions, please contact us at educationincubator@exeter.ac.uk.
Pay for student staff
We value our students who work here. Our Postgraduate Teaching Assistants are now known as Postgraduate Teaching Associates. Most have moved to contracts from casual work arrangements and new paid time allowances for preparation have been agreed.
Alumni Annual Fund - deadline approaching
Don’t forget the deadline to apply for funding from the Alumni Annual Fund is just under two weeks away, on Sunday 24 October. If you have a student project why not apply? To be awarded funding, projects must demonstrate they will enhance the experience across our community, benefiting current and future generations of students and making Exeter an even better place to study and live. A wide range of projects are supported every year, including equipment for sports societies, academic conferences, community projects, and society speaker events.
For more information about the fund, including how to apply, visit the Alumni Annual Fund webpages.
Student Art Pass
Art Fund, a charity which supports UK museums and galleries offers a Student Art pass. Until December this costs £5 for a year and gives free or reduced-price access to arts experiences across the UK. Find out more on their website
Free Sports Centre access for Flexsi Wellbeing Week
The Sports Centre would like to celebrate the inaugural Flexsi Wellbeing Week with you. Between Sat 16 and Fri 22 Oct, there will be free access to the gym/studio classes/sports hall and Multi Use Games Area facility.
What’s on offer:
- Gym Sessions
- Studio Classes
- Health MOT’s
- Badminton court - Sports hall - 1hr
- Basketball - ½ court – Sports hall - 1hr
- Netball - ½ court – Sports hall - 1hr
- Table Tennis table - Sports hall - 1hr
- 5-a-side - Multi use Games Area - 1hr
A profile is required to book your gym session /studio class: please visit fitnesscentre.fxplus.ac.uk
To book the sports hall activities or Multi Use Games Area, contact the Sports Centre Reception on 01326 370770. Bookings are subject to availability. Please note that Health MOT’s are drop in only. For further information, please contact the Sports Centre on 01326 370770 / fitnesscentre@fxplus.ac.uk.
Get tickets for Red Roses international rugby and you could win a signed England rugby ball
We’ve teamed up with the Exeter Chiefs to give rugby fans the chance of tickets/a ticket for the start of the Red Roses four-game Test series. The first match kicks off at Sandy Park, Exeter on Sunday 31 October at 2.30pm, when England Women face New Zealand. By buying your ticket using the special code, you’ll be entered into a prize draw to win a rugby ball, signed by the England team.
To get your ticket/s:
- Go to https://tickethub.exeterchiefs.co.uk – tickets can be redeemed online only
- Input code UNIREDROS311021 in promo code box at the top of the homepage
- Tickets available in North Terrace wings or centre for the Red Roses (Sunday 31 October)
- Click the area wanted and ensure to choose the correct ticket from the drop down list of tariffs.
Access to Internships (A2I)
Applications for this year's Access to Internships (A2I) scheme are now open. A2I can help you arrange your own paid internship in the UK. For those eligible, the scheme can provide information, support and funding. All funding is issued on a first-come-first-serve basis. The deadline for A2I for University-based internships is Friday 13 May 2022. For all other qualifying internships, the deadline is Friday 10 June 2022. For more information, including how to apply, please visit these webpages.
Career Zone employability schemes
When you think of the Career Zone, you probably think of careers advice, but actually, that’s only a small part of what we do. If you’re looking to develop your skills and experience, our Employability Schemes can add value to your time at Exeter.
Interested in a career in sustainability? Try ‘Green Consultants’, our award-winning programme. Thinking about teaching? ‘Aspirational Educators’ will help you get the necessary experience. Or perhaps you’d like an intensive training course with a week of paid work experience in a highly competitive sector? ‘Professional Pathways’ would be an ideal match. Find out more and get involved.
ESRC funded PhD studentships, entry now open
Are you interested in applying for a PhD? The South West Doctoral Training Partnership offers PhD students funding (and a stipend) to study in one of 17 subject pathways as well as offering a range of further funding for additional projects.
Applications for PhD Studentships for entry for October 2022 are now open. The application closing date is 12 (noon) GMT Friday 14 January 2022. Find out more on the South West Doctoral Training Partnership (SWDTP) website here. There will also be several information sessions for anyone thinking about doing a PhD.
Brush up on your skills
Don’t forget to sign up for one of our upcoming skill sessions. Each session is designed to aid your professional development and give you the confidence to apply your newly acquired skills in the workplace. Sessions include Time and Stress Management, Problem Solving and Leadership skills. To find out what’s running this week and to book your place, visit Handshake.
Every Wednesday during term 1, 3-4:30pm, ‘Adjusting to Uni Life session’. You can find out more here.
Tuesday 12 October, 1 - 2.30pm, via Teams. A Hate Crime Awareness Workshop run by the CCWP’s Chinese Lantern Project and the Devon and Cornwall Diverse Communities Team. For registration, contact CCWP on 0808 802 0012.
Wednesday 13 October, 10am-3pm, The Stannary, COVID-19 drop-in vaccination clinic, please book here.
Wednesday 13 October, 12.45 - 13.30, online, Mind Over Natter: Getting productive and feeling good. Find out more and register for free here.
Wednesday 17 October, 10am - 3pm, COVID-19 vaccination clinic, The Stannary, –please book here.
Wednesday 20 October, 12.00 - 13.00, via Teams. Celebrating Success, Overcoming Barriers as Black Researchers. Speakers will include three early career researchers: Ifraax Abdi-Osman, Tanimola Martins, Kaiyven Afi Leslie.
Wednesday 25 October, 6-7:30pm, Bioluminescent Baby – Collaborations in Publishing, online event via Zoom. Find out more here.
Wednesday 27 October, 12:00-13:00, via Teams, Being Black At Exeter, a fireside chat with CMH undergraduate students.
Saturday 30 October, 9pm -2am, Halloween at the Stannary, Tickets are on sale now.
Black History Month events: To check out our full list of events for Black History Month, including events from your Students' Union, please visit our webpage here.
Tell us what you think of this newsletter:
Get in touch with your feedback or news stories at: studentcomms@exeter.ac.uk