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University Updates
Welcome to your regular update
This week in University Updates...
This week there's information on testing and study spaces, as well as a new research event and the chance to hear from Stephen Fry at an online event tonight.
Your no disadvantage guarantee
You should have received an email on Friday setting out our commitment to enabling you to succeed, and to the lasting value of your University of Exeter degree, whilst also recognising that you have concerns about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on your ability to engage with education and achieve the outcomes that you deserve. If you've not received it, please check your inbox or you can read it here online. We are currently preparing a series of Frequently Asked Questions and they will be online in the next few days.
Living in lockdown
We realise that lockdown is hard and that the rules have changed, and it can be difficult to stay up to date on the guidelines. However the new variant of COVID-19 spreads far more easily and so it is more crucial than ever to do what you can to protect yourself and others. Please remember these points particularly:
You can’t move between households – for instance if you’re already living at your term-time address you must remain there and not leave to stay elsewhere
You can only mix with your own household indoors (unless you have created a support bubble under certain, specific circumstances)
You can only exercise outside with members of your household, or with one other person. Health officials strongly recommend that you minimise the number of ‘single people’ you meet with across the week, as the new variant of the virus is more easily transmitted. You should also maintain a social distance from them
When you’re taking your daily exercise, remember to stay local and wear a face covering in busy areas
Keep following the advice of washing hands regularly, wearing face coverings and keeping socially distanced
Remember if you do test negative for COVID-19 the result is only valid at that time, so it's crucial you continue to follow Hands - Face - Space to minimise the chances of catching it
You can read more on the UK government’s website.
Booking your COVID-19 Tests
Testing is critical to reduce the risk of introducing infection to our community. All students who are already in Exeter should arrange to get two tests as a matter of urgency, regardless of whether they are taking part in any on-campus teaching or study. If you do not take a test when you return to University, UK government guidance is that you should self-isolate for ten days from the point you return to University.
Tests can be booked via the link below. Students who have not yet arrived but who will shortly be beginning in-person teaching or placements for future critical workers, or those who cannot work at home and plan to travel should book tests urgently to help us to assess the demand for testing in the coming weeks. We are also providing tests for staff who are required to work on our campuses.
Remember if you do test negative for COVID-19 the result is only valid at that time, so it's crucial you continue to follow Hands - Face - Space to minimise the chances of catching it.
Got COVID-19 symptoms or tested positive? Let housemates know
The UK's Scientific and Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) believes that COVID-19 transmissions could be reduced by 15% if measures are taken to reduce transmission between people within households. You can read their full paper here.
So please remember if you develop COVID-19 symptoms, have been advised by test and trace to isolate, have taken a COVID-19 test because you have symptoms and are awaiting the results, or have tested positive for the virus, let those you live with know. There are steps you can take to try to minimise the chances of others in your home also contracting it and there are legal requirements surrounding isolation which they will also need to follow. You can find out the latest government guidance here.
Student Health Centre
The Student Health Centre is open and is offering remote consultations for students working from home or halls of residence. If a face-to-face appointment is clinically necessary, you will be seen onsite at the practice. If after the initial call the doctor feels you should be seen, but you aren’t currently living in Exeter, they will be able to advise you as to how to access support local to where you are. Please ensure you have had your lateral flow tests before attending the practice. In an emergency all acute patients will be dealt with by their Duty team. Please do not contact the practice regarding COVID-19 vaccinations, they will contact you. All medication can be ordered online and sent to your preferred pharmacy.
Cleaning routines
In order to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 it is really vital that we all strive to keep areas where we live and study clean, particularly touch-points. Touch-points include surfaces like fridge/freezer doors, cooker and microwave handles, kitchen sides, taps, kettle handles, switches, remotes and other appliances which are used frequently by multiple people. New to cleaning? Here’s a helpful guide.
Disabled and Chronically Ill Staff and Student Network
The Disabled and Chronically Ill Staff and Student Network exists to provide support and representation to staff and students who identify as disabled or chronically ill. They meet monthly on Microsoft Teams to share updates, experiences and to provide advocacy and representation to senior management. For the Spring term, the meetings will be the last Wednesday of the month at noon. This means the next meetings for Spring 2021 will be:
• Wednesday 27 January
• Wednesday 24 February
• Wednesday 31 March
For accessibility information and the meeting links, please email disabilitynetwork@exeter.ac.uk. All are welcome to attend, including allies, and it will be an open discussion. Please also email if you would like to join the network mailing list or the Teams chat group.
Supporting you
We understand that the current situation is very challenging, so remember we are still here to support you – wherever you are. The wellbeing webpages contain useful resources which you can access at any time from home. Here are a few:
Silvercloud - offers secure, immediate access to online Cognitive Behavioural Therapy programmes, tailored to your specific needs such as anxiety, stress and many other areas.
Togetherall - provides safe, anonymous online support with trained healthcare professionals 24/7. You can share your experiences anonymously with your peers at any time of the day or night and find support from those experiencing similar difficulties.
Wellbeing Approaches for Covid - Using these approaches may help you reduce the impact of challenges imposed by COVID-19, better manage the demands imposed by your studies and help you maintain your wellbeing.
Mind Over Natter – These short talks aim to provide quick tips and pointers which we hope all students and staff can take away and use in their own life to help them with their wellbeing.
MyMoodCoach - Learn about your emotions, develop resilience, and build well-being by using the MyMoodCoach App. Researchers from top universities across Europe, including the University of Exeter, are learning how emotions and well-being change over time in young adults. Sign up to the study here, receive our free app, learn about your own emotions and support cutting edge science. You can also earn up to £60 in shopping vouchers for your contribution.
Other apps – the Fika app is available to students to download. Fika is an app designed to improve your mental fitness and you can access from your app store and register with your University email.
Workshops & Webinars - Wellbeing Services offer a number of webinars that you can attend from home via your laptop or PC. Webinars are interactive online workshops that allow you to participate and learn new ways to approach different areas of your life. Some previous webinars have focused on dealing with exam stress and improving sleep.
Want to know what help is best for you? Please check out this summary leaflet.
Book your study space
If you are using study spaces on the Exeter campuses please use our new booking system to book in advance. This allows for flexible time slots and to self-check-in and check-out. You should only attend campus after two negative COVID-19 tests which you can access via the Rapid Response Hub, or a 10-day isolation period.
When attending your study space, you must wear a face covering the whole time (unless you have a medical exemption) and use the cleaning products provided to sanitise your space before and after use. The furniture has been set out to maintain social distancing so please don’t move it, nor should you close any windows which are open, as this ensures the spaces are well ventilated. Please also remember your student ID card when on campus.
Study spaces will be reserved for 30 minutes after the start time of your booked slot, meaning that if you don’t check-in during this period, the space can be released for others to book. Keep an eye on our library webpages for user guides coming soon and we welcome any feedback you may have.
Virtual Desktops: support available
Our virtual desktop service enables you to remotely access a huge range of learning resources that you may need for your course.
You can book 1:1 time to get help accessing a virtual desktop from a fellow student, using the Digital Hub’s book an expert service. If you have a technical problem, you should contact SID.
Guidance and video instructions are available at www.exeter.ac.uk/virtualdesktops or on the Digital Hub.
Deadline approaching: do you need exam adjustments for the May 2021 exams?
If you require exam adjustments such as extra time or rest breaks and you have not already been in touch with Wellbeing Services to organise this, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can arrange an appointment for you.
The deadline for arranging adjustments for the May 2021 exams is Monday 15 February at 5pm, and you need to have filled out a disclosure form and sent your supporting evidence to Wellbeing Services by this date and time. If we receive your form and medical evidence after this time, we cannot guarantee your adjustments will be in place for May.
Please be aware that the next examination period in May will take place online. We post information about the exams on the webpages here, including frequently asked questions. Look out for further updates in the coming weeks.
Would you like some study skills advice?
Study Zone continues to offer online 1:1 study skills appointments, Writing Cafes and workshops. We offer support in areas including studying at home, online learning, academic writing, referencing and proofreading. We also have a suite of online study skills resources on our digital site. To find out more please visit the Study Zone website.
Police registration – for international students
Devon & Cornwall Police has advised that international students who need to complete police registration should not travel to their office during lockdown. The usual 7-day deadline for police registration does not currently apply. If your visa requires you to register with the police you should therefore not travel to the police enquiry office at this time but await further announcements by checking the information on our website. If you are an Exeter based student, we are hoping that the police will come onto campus later in the term – please continue to check our updates webpage for further information on this.
Online Fitness Class Timetable
During the national lockdown, our sports department is offering an extensive online class programme. Please see the timetable below; you can book and join a class here. There is also a Facebook Health and Fitness Group where further health, wellbeing and workouts are shared.
Events from your Students’ Guild
Your Students’ Guild events listing for Get Connected x Refreshers is now live. Take a look at all the different events taking place over the next two weeks.
The Guild's virtual Refreshers’ fair is also running from Monday 18 until Sunday 24 January. The fair is your chance to find out about all the opportunities available to you, including societies, as well as allowing you to get freebies and deals with brands! Please join the fair here.
Stephen Fry to speak at tonight's 'Creative Dialogues' event
Stephen Fry, the much loved actor, writer, director, historian and broadcaster, is guest speaker at our next ‘Creative Dialogues’ online event. The prodigious star will join Hon DLitt, Honorary Professor, Don Boyd tonight, Tuesday 19 January from 6.30 -8pm to talk about the ‘creative experience, performance and much, much more besides.’ To get your free virtual seat at a talk which Stephen expects ‘to range free like a wild mustang of the plains,’ register on the Eventbrite page by 4pm today.
Online research PechaKucha sessions
The Environment and Sustainability Institute (ESI) and Institute of Cornish Studies (Fondyans Studhyansow Kernewek) are pleased to invite you to two online research PechaKucha sessions on Wednesday 20 and 27 January, both 1-3 pm, hosted by Professor Steffen Boehm.
PechaKucha is a storytelling format where a presenter shows 20 slides for 20 seconds of commentary each. The idea is to provide a quick but interesting overview of a research project so that the audience (of non-specialists) get a broad impression of the research, its importance, significance, research methods and knowledge insights.
Join the first session (Wednesday 20 January, 1 – 3pm), via Zoom (Meeting ID: 954 1874 0019; Password: 126133).
Social mobility prospects in a post pandemic world talk
What can we do to safeguard social mobility in a post pandemic world characterised by widening educational inequalities?
Drawing on his new book and latest research, the University's Professor of Social Mobility, Lee Elliot Major, argues that society is characterised by a grotesquely unlevel playing field. Yet the COVID-19 crisis also offers an opportunity to develop national and regional and university policies to improve prospects for those from less advantaged backgrounds.
This talk is on Tuesday 2 February between 12:30 – 2pm and will be chaired by the University's Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, Professor Lisa Roberts. There will be an opportunity to ask questions following the presentation. You can find full details and registration on the Eventbrite webpage.
Exeplore – The University of Exeter Podcast
Have you checked out our new University of Exeter podcast yet? We have episodes about the amazing fundraising work for Movember and an interview with the President of the Students’ Guild, Sunday Blake, where she shares advice for anyone thinking of running in the Students’ Guild elections and explains why she loves working with students. Coming up this month is a ‘virtual’ tour of our beautiful grounds and analysis of current US politics. You can find all the episodes here. If you have any ideas for future podcasts please get in touch via studentcomms@exeter.ac.uk
Celebrate fellow students at our Undergraduate Research Showcase next week!
Starting next Monday 25 January, our Undergraduate Research Showcase kicks off online. This showcase is your chance to learn about the research your fellow students have been working on, meet the students and ask questions at our virtual reception. There is also an opportunity to explore our website throughout the week to see the fantastic posters and abstracts students have submitted. Maybe it will even inspire your own project! You can find more information and event registration details here.
Make your Pledge for the Planet
This month on Green Rewards, the University’s scheme which rewards you for your sustainable actions, you’ll be able to earn 300 additional Green Points for making a New Year’s resolution with sustainability or wellbeing in mind. We’ve set a target of 90 pledges to reach – can you help us exceed this? You could pledge to go plastic free, eat less meat or get cycling – it’s up to you.
Earning Green Points leads to prizes, with 4 x £20 vouchers awarded to top Green Points earners each month and lots of ways to get involved. Register for free now.
Great Hall closure
Please be aware the Great Hall will be closed from 8am on Thursday 28 January until 7pm on Friday 29 January for annual maintenance checks.
Focus on the future: Career Zone can help you make positive start to 2021
Whether it's to brush up on employability skills, help activate your new Handshake account to search for jobs and connect with organisations, or make a simple start to your career planning by talking things through with us, The Career Zone is here for you. The easiest way to chat to us (Monday to Friday, between 9:00am - 5:00pm) is via the chat box on our Careers webpages or you can call us on +44 (0) 1392 724493.
Access to Internships (A2I)
Access to Internships (A2I) can help you arrange your own paid internship in the UK. We can provide information, support and generous funding for eligible students. All funding is issued on a first-come-first-serve basis until Friday 7 May 2021 for internships at the University of Exeter, and Friday 11 June 2021 for all other qualifying internships. Please visit A2I for further information.
All of the following events will be held online:
Monday 18 January – Sunday 25 January, the Students’ Guild virtual Refreshers’ Fair. Join here.
Tuesday 19 January, 6:30 – 8pm, College of Humanities: Creative Dialogues with Stephen Fry. Please register on the Eventbrite page.
Wednesday 20 January, 1-3pm, Online research PechaKucha sessions, please join via Zoom (Meeting ID: 954 1874 0019; Password: 126133)
Tuesday 2 February, 12:30 – 2pm, Social mobility prospects in a post pandemic world talk. More details and registration can be found on the Eventbrite webpage.
Keep an eye on the Students’ Guild Website to keep up to date with upcoming events.
Tell us what you think of this newsletter:
Get in touch with your feedback or news stories at: studentcomms@exeter.ac.uk
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