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University Updates
Welcome to your regular update
This week in University Updates...
There's information on the Festival of Discovery and further easing of COVID-19 restrictions. You can also find out about our upcoming wellbeing workshops, how to submit your nominations for the teaching awards and more!
Exceptional Circumstances application deadline
If you feel exceptional circumstances as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted on your examinations and/or other academic assessments during this academic year, you can now apply for this to be considered. The deadline for applications is Friday 21 May.
Exceptional Circumstances differ from Mitigation because either the situation has continued over a longer period of time and/or has been more severe, which has caused a cumulative impact on academic studies. In other words, students applying under this policy will have had exceptional circumstances and for a significant period of time (four weeks or more in total, which can be across the academic year), and believe these have potentially had an impact on a number of examinations and/or other assessments.
If you think this applies to you, you can now submit evidence and an application to be considered by the Exceptional Circumstances Committee.
You may only apply once. There will be a subsequent opportunity to apply for Exceptional Circumstances later in the year for the August Referral/Deferral period, near to the PGT programme end date, and for January starters. Further information on subsequent application windows will be made available via the Frequently Asked Questions in due course.
The process does not apply to Postgraduate Research Students (e.g. those on PhD and other research degrees), who should continue to access the support services and advice provided by the Doctoral College.
This policy is known as ‘Exceptional Circumstances’ and is one of the individual student adjustment elements of our No-Disadvantage Guarantee. Full details are available within the FAQs, including a link to the application form.
Keep testing for COVID-19 as part of your routine
As more students return to University and more activities are now able to restart, it’s important to keep testing for COVID-19 as part of your regular routine. Whether you’re testing at home or at one of our test centres, if you get a positive result you’ll need a confirmatory HALO/PCR test – contact our Rapid Response Hub and we can book this for you. You’ll have the results within 24 hours and if it’s negative, you’ll be out of isolation quickly. More information and FAQs on testing can be found on the website.
Book your tests - Penryn Campus
Remember if you develop COVID-19 symptoms – self isolate and contact the Rapid Response Hub
If you experience any COVID-19 symptoms, including high temperature, new continuous cough or a loss of taste/smell, you must self-isolate immediately and request a HALO PCR test through our Rapid Response Hub.
Further easing of COVID-19 restrictions
From today there will be a further easing of the current COVID-19 restrictions, including permission for all students to return to on-campus activities. However, please remember you will still need to book your study space. There are several other changes that we should all be aware of, and restrictions which remain which we must all follow. These include:
People will be able to meet indoors in groups of up to six, or as two households and outdoors in groups of up to 30 people
If you meet friends or loved ones you can make a personal choice as to whether to keep your distance from them, but still be cautious and respectful of their personal wishes at all times
Social distancing remains important with people who are not in your household or support bubble. The more distance you can keep from other people, and the less time you spend in close contact with them, the less likely you are to catch COVID-19 and pass it on to others
Pubs, bars and restaurants will be able to reopen indoors and indoor entertainment, such as cinemas and museums, will also be able to resume, where social distancing is possible
Hotels, hostels and B&Bs will allow overnight stays in groups of up to six, or two households.
At the University, fitness classes will resume from today and student sports club activity will continue.
With the Indian variant of COVID-19 now classed as one ‘of concern’ and with the risk from all variants still significant, please remain cautious and continue to be careful, in order to help keep everybody safe.
Please note that our COVID-19 safety policies remain in place, including face-coverings which must be worn inside University buildings and outdoors where social distancing is not possible. There have been no relaxations to the social distancing and safety measures in place across our campuses, and it is vital that we continue to follow these, alongside observing: HANDS. FACE. SPACE. FRESH AIR.
Students returning to our campuses for the first time are expected to get tested as soon as possible after returning and then regularly twice a week, every week. This is critically important now as we have all worked so hard to reduce transmission in our University community.
Festival of Discovery
As you near the end of your exams, we’d like to invite you to join us for the Festival of Discovery, on our Penryn Campus from Monday 24 May – Friday 4 June. With over 60 events on campus and more than 100 events you can join online, the festival will offer exciting academic and social events for you to attend, including keynote speakers, career support, society-led events, sport activities and entertainment, as well as the chance to reconnect with your friends and academic departments.
Bookings open this week. Find out more about the events and book your place here. For many events booking will be essential. Please remember to check your timetable before booking as some of your Department events may be timetabled.
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 can be found here.
Free wellbeing workshops
Sign up now if you're looking to:
enhance your resilience
improve your sleep
boost your wellbeing
beat the stress cycle
You can find out more and book your place on these free workshops here.
Campus Security
FX Plus Campus Security provides 24 hours a day security and aims to ensure a safe campus for you to live and work on, in an appropriate and friendly manner. We also provide students with a point of contact for welfare-related issues outside normal working hours. You can find out more, including how to contact us, on our webpage.
Use SafeZone when working on campus
Everyone who is working or studying on our campuses can download and install the SafeZone app. SafeZone supports staff and students, especially those who are lone-working, and helps those who need first aid or assistance from our security team. It’s available through the Play/App store – search for “SafeZone” published by “CriticalArc Pty Ltd”.
If you don’t have a mobile device and you are working on campus, we recommend you install the desktop version by searching ‘Software Centre’ in the start bar, finding ‘SafeZone’ on the applications page and clicking install.
We recommend you check in and out of the app whenever you are lone-working on campus. If you are checking in using the desktop application, we ask that you note “(DESKTOP)” before your room number. You can find out more about SafeZone on our web pages.
Online Module Change
Over the summer you will have the opportunity to request changes to your module allocation via the ‘Online Module Change’ process. The key dates are:
Business School Postgraduate January Starters 10 - 21 May
Undergraduate students returning in 2021/22 12 -19 July
Find out more on our Online Module Change web page.
Beach bonfire ban
You may not realise that there are by-laws in place which mean that open fires aren’t allowed on Falmouth’s beaches to keep them clean, safe and tidy for all users.
BBQs are permitted on Gyllyngvase, but only in the designated area to the left-hand side of the beach (look for the signs when entering the beach). This helps support the hard work that goes into ensuring that Gylly retains its valued Blue Flag status, by reducing the debris on its sands. Please make sure you dispose of BBQs or any other rubbish responsibly.
Million mile clean flagship week
Following a first big beach clean on Saturday at Watergate Bay, Surfers Against Sewage is holding another clean at their HQ in St Agnes on Wednesday 19 May at 10am. You can find more info on their Facebook event.
Parties and noise
As exams finish and social distancing rules are relaxed from this week, you may understandably be planning to socialise. Please continue to be mindful of your neighbours, particularly those of you living in private accommodation near our campuses and surrounding areas, as you may have neighbours with young families, or early morning work commitments.
If arranging a gathering, it is important to socialise safely and considerately. And remember - noise in the street can carry and have a big impact on all our community. Please consider those who need to sleep, particularly during the week.
G7 Summit disruption
The G7 Summit is taking place between 11-13 June and will host world leaders in St Ives, with Falmouth and Newquay Airport also providing support venues for the event.
Devon & Cornwall Police and Cornwall Council have launched a campaign around the impact of the G7 Summit on people in the affected areas, including the installation of security fences around key venues; road, rail, aviation, maritime and footpath closures and restrictions and some diversions; all of which are being put in place to ensure the safety and security of the event for both residents and the delegates.
Further information can be found online, and a dedicated G7 Summit website has been created to provide up-to-the-minute information so that you can stay informed.
Teaching Awards
Nominations for the Teaching Awards 2021 are open now! These awards celebrate the incredible work of staff members across our campuses, in a number of categories. Have you received inspirational teaching this year, or has your personal tutor gone above and beyond to help you succeed? Nominate them now!
Multi-factor authentication
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) has recently been introduced by Falmouth University. We are also planning to introduce MFA for University of Exeter accounts from Tuesday 25 May 2021. MFA protects your account by confirming your identity with an app notification, text message or phone call.
We have tried to make the experience as smooth as possible, however:
If you are an Exeter student accessing Falmouth resources (eg Penryn Library Search or a Falmouth SharePoint page) you will already need to authenticate – follow the on-screen instructions.
Soon, you will need to authenticate when accessing University of Exeter resources too. You will only need to do this when off campus, every 60 days.
You can use authenticator apps (eg Microsoft Authenticator) for both logins. If you do this you will see two accounts with @exeter.ac.uk in the app: keep them both.
If you need to change the method you use to authenticate for Falmouth resources, you should contact the FX Plus Service Desk.
For more information please check out this guide.
Secure your virtual meetings
Making sure your virtual meetings are a safe and secure space for all is important to help keep us all safer online. Here are some quick tips for securing meetings:
- Teams: You can admit or reject individuals from the lobby using the tick and cross symbols - Zoom: You can lock the meeting once all your participants have arrived
- Teams and Zoom: You can minimise disruption by preventing participants from unmuting themselves.
Visit the Digital Hub to learn more about securing your Zoom and Teams meetings, or book time with an expert to learn more about meeting security.
Decolonising Methodologies Summer School opportunity for MPhil and PhD students
The International Institute for Cultural Enquiry (IICE) is holding a 5-day summer school on Decolonial Methodologies from 28 June - 2 July 2021, with the support of the Exeter Decolonising Network (EDN). 15 places are available to doctoral researchers currently registered for an MPhil or PhD at the University (any campus). There is no restriction on your current discipline, but the proposed PhD topic should be linked to “cultural enquiry”.
Please visit our webpage for more info and the application form which should be emailed to culturalenquiry@exeter.ac.uk by 9am Monday 24 May 2021. Transport and accommodation will be provided for Cornwall participants. The course is free and lunch and refreshments will be provided. Any questions? Contact Professor Rob Gleave, Director of the International Institute for Cultural Enquiry via culturalenquiry@exeter.ac.uk.
Cornwall’s maritime churches
A new documentary series shows the mystery, beauty and history of Cornwall’s stunning maritime churches. The films show how the religious buildings played a central role in the county’s seafaring past. Historians and students at the University have spent the past three years researching how the churches show stories of smuggling, piracy and wrecking, and how religion and the sea have played a key role in Cornwall’s culture, identity and language. The documentary series, Exploring Cornwall’s Maritime Churches Project, is free for all to watch on YouTube. Find out more.
Food and drink on Campus
From today, you can order food and drink from the serving areas and sit in to eat in the campus outlets which are open. Opening times:
Deli Bar and Fox Café (9am – 4pm)
KOOFI (9am – 6pm)
For the most up-to-date information, check the FX Plus website.
Completing your studies in 2021? Review your HEAR soon
When you complete your studies this year, in addition to your Degree Certificate you’ll receive an enhanced, electronic transcript – your Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR). As well as providing details of your academic results, it will include some of your extracurricular/co-curricular achievements from your time at university. You’ll have the opportunity to review these activities and report corrections, omissions and exclusions. All eligible students will get an email inviting them to review their HEAR later this week, and you’ll then have until 6 June 2021 to review your HEAR. You can find more information about HEAR on this webpage.
All of the following events will be held online:
Every Tuesday, 2:30pm, Free online yoga sessions as part of your Students’ Union Together Wherever campaign. Sign up here.
Monday 24 May, 18:30 – 20:00, Vice-Chancellor, Professor Lisa Robers in conversation with author Sir Michael Barber. Please register here.
Tuesday 25 May, 18.30, BAFTA award-winning screenwriter and director Amma Asante MBE. Places are limited so follow the link for more info and to book.
Thursday 27 May, 5pm – 6:30pm, Panel Event: Can we live in harmony with nature? Please book here.
Thursday 27 May, The Career Zone will be holding their first Virtual Summer Recruitment Fair. Don’t miss out – register now!
It's another busy week at the Students' Union - check out their events here
Tell us what you think of this newsletter:
Get in touch with your feedback or news stories at: studentcomms@exeter.ac.uk
