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University Updates
Welcome to your regular update
This week in University Updates...
There's news on the end of term travel survey, the release of your January exam timetable and the return of our Mind Over Natter series. Also wellbeing webinars on busting exam stress and coping with uncertainty.
Help us to help you, with our new survey
Are you planning to travel after the current lockdown lifts, either within the UK or overseas? If so, do you know when, or what mode of transport you’ll use? Perhaps you’ll be staying in your term-time accommodation over the Christmas break? Please fill out our survey this week and let us know – even if you don’t have all the details. Its aim is to help you by informing our planning; ensuring we have the right support for those staying over the break and making sure we have good information about the numbers of people intending to travel for our discussions with local partners and transport companies. You have until midday this Friday 27 November to complete it.
Please book your end of term transport
Enabling you to travel home or elsewhere at the end of the term is our priority. If you wish to travel you should do so between Thursday 3 – Wednesday 9 December, unless you have tested positive for COVID-19, or have been asked to self-isolate.
We strongly recommend that you book your transport as soon as possible. Rail operators have now released all of their seats for the period 3-9 December. If you plan to travel by coach, it is especially important that you book in advance as this will allow coach operators to monitor demand and increase services accordingly so that social distancing can be maintained.
For more information on travelling home, please look out for the Registrar’s emails in your inbox.
Students on the Move
'Students on the Move' has paid for extra grey waste collections to occur between normal council collection times in December to combat the uncertainty of when students might leave Exeter for the winter holidays. The scheme also promotes a series of recycling initiatives to encourage the disposal of re-usable items and even useable food. Extra grey waste can be collected from student houses on the 7, 11, 14, and 18 December. Please book a collection by emailing communitywardens@exeter.ac.uk 24 hours before you put your waste out and for any enquiries about this initiative. Please note that all COVID-19 related waste must be stored in your house for 72 hours before you put the waste outside to ensure everyone’s safety.
Recording of Vice-Chancellor's talk
Our Vice-Chancellor, Professor Lisa Roberts, Students’ Guild President Sunday Blake, Registrar Mike Shore-Nye, Provost Professor Janice Kay and Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Education Professor Tim Quine held a talk and Q&A via Teams Live for students recently. If you missed it you can now view the recording online. Keep an eye on the page for the questions they didn’t manage to get to which will be on there soon.
Limit removed on study space bookings
The limit on the number of weekly bookings you can make for study spaces has been removed. In addition to the study spaces available during the week, desks can now be booked in the Forum Library, StudyZone, Sanctuary and the Loft from 10am-4pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Please ensure that you book desks in advance via our booking system and follow our COVID-19 guidelines, including wearing a face covering.
Do you need to prepare for your exams?
Study Zone is running Revision and Exam Strategies workshops through November and December. It's designed to develop revision skills and give confidence when planning for and taking exams. To find out more visit our events and workshops page.
Exam Timetable
January exam timetables will be released this Wednesday 25 November throughout the day. You'll get an email to confirm when it has been released. Once you’ve received your email please take a look at your timetable, and check that all of the examinations you expect are showing. If you haven't received an email by 5pm on 25 November or there are any issues with your timetable, contact your Hub team.
COVID-19 reminders:
Under the current lockdown rules in England, you must not meet socially indoors with family or friends unless they are part of your household or support bubble.
You can attend face-to-face teaching, shop for provisions, or go to work if you cannot work from home. You can read the full information here.
When you are outside your home please remember:
Wash hands - keep hands washed regularly and/or use santiser
Cover face - wear a face covering when indoors, or in enclosed or busy areas
Make space - maintain social distancing
Contact us about COVID-19 symptoms, even if they’re mild
If you begin to experience COVID-19 symptoms (a high temperature, new continuous cough or a loss of taste/smell), you must self-isolate immediately and contact the Rapid Response Hub via phone on 0300 3334847 or email rapidresponsehub@exeter.ac.uk. You should get in touch even if your symptoms are mild.
As soon as you have requested a test from the Rapid Response Hub you must remain in self-isolation (apart from going to have a test) until a result is received. This is a legal requirement and any breach of this is subject to a fine as well as University disciplinary procedures. The team will get you booked into a test as quickly as possible and we aim to get results within a day or so.
Students at the College of Medicine and Health studying health programmes (Medicine, Medical Imaging and Nursing) should access testing as directed by their programme leads.
If you have a positive test result you are required by law to continue your self-isolation for at least 10 days. The Rapid Response Hub will contact you to make sure you’re ok and you have the support you need. Anyone in your household will also be required to self-isolate for 14 days. Public Health officials will also get in touch to identify any “close contacts” outside your household. Close contacts must also self-isolate by law for 14 days so there is no need for them to get tested and a test will not be provided. You can read more information about our Rapid Response Hub on our web pages as well as information on the support we will provide you during your self-isolation
Mind Over Natter
Mind Over Natter, our wellbeing talk series, is back! Join us live on Teams at 12.45 -1.30pm this Wednesday 25 November for Professor Andy Brown’s talk on trees and how being in, among, or up them can help improve our wellbeing. Register now to reserve your place.
Wellbeing Services Webinars this week
Busting exam stress
Preparing for exams can be a difficult process; you may feel under pressure to do well and this can lead to high levels of stress. This webinar aims to give you techniques to decrease stress around exams and enable you to perform better as a result. It will take place this Wednesday 25 November from 11:30am – 12:30pm. You can find more information and booking details here.
Uncertainty: How to cope with change and tame your worries
Now more than ever, life can be uncertain. Uncertainty can be very overwhelming, causing us to spend a lot of time worrying about things outside of our control. This webinar focusses on strategies to manage our worry and to tolerate the uncertainty that life can bring. It will take place this Thursday 26 November from 2:30 – 3:30pm. You can find more information and booking details here.
Both Webinars are for up to 60 people and will be recorded and added to the website within a few days.
£130,000 raised through Movember challenges
Hundreds of you from across the University have been taking part in a host of tasks to raise funds for the annual ‘Movember’ challenge – which raises money and awareness around men’s mental health and cancer. Students from the University have raised more than £130,000 for the charity. The fundraising efforts have been led by four Exeter Movember ambassadors, and have been supported by students from the Athletics Union (AU) and across our wider community.
An example of the challenges includes the Tennis Club pairing people up for a running challenge and seeing who can cover the most distance in 48 hours. You can find out more on your Student news page and at Exeter’s Movember network.
Students’ Guild Get Connected
Find students with similar interests to you with the Students’ Guild Get Connected pen pal scheme, or browse upcoming events including a virtual pub quiz and live lockdown DJ set! All events are free and are a great way to meet new people. You can find more information about the Get Connected campaign here.
Mature Student Survey
The Mature Student Working Group wants to hear about your experiences of studying as a mature student (anyone 21 or over at the start of their undergraduate programme) at the University. The results will help them identify and prioritise issues raised, so they can increase support for mature students. There is also a chance to be entered into a £50 Amazon Voucher draw. Please complete the survey by Friday 27 November. If you have any queries regarding the survey, please email mature-students@exeter.ac.uk
Talk to MP Ben Bradshaw
Penny Dinh, VP Education is hosting your Students’ Guild #StudentsDeserveBetter town hall event with Labour MP for Exeter Ben Bradshaw. Don’t miss an amazing opportunity to speak about how COVID-19 has impacted you, and to raise your concerns. What could MPs be doing to better support you through the pandemic? The online talk will take place this Wednesday 25 November, for more information sign up for your ticket here.
Celtic Evening Prayer
Join us for a new ecumenical (Christian) service, using the Northumbria community liturgy, from this evening Monday 23 November 2020, from 8 -8:30pm. This group is led by the Anglican lay chaplain, Elly Moseley. For more information visit Multifaith Chaplaincy ecumenical events or email e.moseley@exeter.ac.uk. You can join the service every Monday here via Zoom, the password is 781046.
Family Christmas Lecture - Solar Orbiter, Building an Instrument to Study the Sun
Join us for the annual family-friendly Christmas themed lecture from the Institute of Mechanical Engineers and the University. This will be an evening of fun, facts and physics about how our star creates and controls the giant bubble of plasma that surrounds the whole Solar System and influences the planets within it. The guest speaker is Chris Brockley-Blatt, BEng(Hons) CEng FIMechE, Project Manager of the Solar Wind Analyser instrument on Solar Orbiter. The event will take place on Tuesday 8 December between 6:50 – 8 pm. More details and event registration can be found here.
Construction site dangers
During the weekend, in the early hours of the morning, some people were caught on CCTV within the construction site of new residences being built at East Park. As you’ll be aware, construction sites can be incredibly dangerous places, as they contain a range of hazards; that’s why anyone entering without authorisation is deemed to be trespassing. An investigation by the University and contractor is underway. Please continue to respect the perimeter fencing and if you do see anyone in the site outside of working hours, we’d ask that you contact Estate Patrol (24/7) on 01392 723999, for the safety of those concerned.
Roadworks on Bonhay Road
Essential drainage repairs means Bonhay Road will be closed to through traffic from this Monday 23 November until Friday 27 November. A signed diversion route will be in place. Pedestrian access will be maintained for businesses and residential properties along the affected section
Career Zone Virtual Fairs
If you haven’t already activated your Handshake account and registered for either (or both) of our Virtual Careers Fairs, now is the time to do it. Our Virtual Careers & Opportunities Fair is today, 10am - 4pm and our Law Careers Fair is this Wednesday 25 November, 10am - 4pm. Both Fairs are accessible only via Handshake, where you can book into group sessions or 1:1s with a wide range of top national and international employers and organisations. Not sure how to activate your Handshake account? We’re here to help. Please contact us at careers@exeter.ac.uk. You can find more information about Handshake and registering for the Careers Fairs here.
Looking After Yourself Whilst Exploring Careers
Deciding on what to do in the future after University can be both a stressful and overwhelming experience. In this Webinar Jo Blakely (Mental Health Adviser), and Kate Foster (Employability & Careers Consultant) help you explore, through discussion and activities, your concerns about making career decisions. They will share practical tips on how to manage stress and how to explore the right career path for you. There will be a focus on managing the stresses associated with the recruitment process and the opportunity to find out more about the resources available to support you. The webinar will take place this Wednesday 25 November, from 2-3pm. Please book your place.
Virtual Law Event
Dentons, the largest law firm in the world, will be hosting a virtual presentation dedicated to vacation schemes, where a trainee will provide you with an insight to what a vacation scheme is, how to apply, your tasks & responsibilities and how to make the most of the experience. There will also be a Q&A after. If you’re currently applying for vacation schemes or considering a career in commercial law, make sure you don’t miss out! It takes place this Thursday 26 November from 3pm-4pm. The event link is here and the Zoom details are (ID) 695 523 4398 and (password) 777858. Follow the link to the vacation scheme.
All of the following events are held online:
Tuesday 24 November, 10am-4pm, Virtual Careers and Opportunities Fair on Handshake. For more information please follow this link.
Wednesday 25 November, 10am – 4pm, Virtual Law Careers Fair on Handshake. For more information please follow this link.
Friday 27 November, 12:30pm, Stacey Hynd, Sefina Dogo Aliyu, and Elena Gadjanova, ‘#BringBackOurGirls and Humanitarian Advocacy: Analysing Race, Gender, and Childhood in Local and Global Child-Saving Campaigns’. Find out more and book here.
Tuesday 1 December, 4:30pm, Joao Florencio, ‘COVID-19: Pandemics, Care and Communities’. Find out more and book here.
Tuesday 8 December, 6:50pm-8pm, Family Christmas Lecture - Solar Orbiter, Building an Instrument to Study the Sun. Find out more and register here.
Thursday 10 December, 4:30pm, Hazel Carby (Yale University): ‘Imperial Sexual Economies’. Find out more and book here.
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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