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University Updates
Welcome back to your regular University Updates.
This week in University Updates...
Welcome to your University Updates. In this week’s newsletter you can find out about this week’s wellbeing events, a talk on the proposed changes to our University structure, information on our upcoming gender safety campaign and updates from your Students’ Union.
Changes to our University structure - Teams live Q&A
We’d like your opinion on proposed changes to the way our University is structured. These changes will not impact on your studies, progression or graduation, but may affect where your subject or department is located within three proposed faculties from September 2022. All current disciplines and programmes will be retained and each faculty would be represented in Cornwall.
Making these proposed changes will provide you with a more consistent service focused on giving you a better student experience. Find out more about the proposal and how to have your say on our webpages. There is a talk and Q&A about this taking place on Tuesday 25 January, from 6:30-7:15pm. Access the Teams Live event here.
Lord Myners
We were deeply saddened yesterday to hear the news of the death of Lord Myners, who was our Chancellor from 2016 until he stepped down last year.
Paul was a proud Cornishman and a great supporter of the University, who presided over the graduations of 20,000 students, celebrating their successes and always encouraging them to "go out and live purposeful lives."
Having begun his working life as a teacher, Lord Myners went on to have a long career in business, finance, media and politics, where he was instrumental in the government’s response to the financial crisis of 2008. He was made a CBE in 2001 and in 2003 received an Honorary Doctorate in Laws from the University. Tributes have flowed in from prominent figures including former Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
During the five years he held the position of Chancellor of the University of Exeter he played a prominent role in our fundraising and alumni relations and his support and enthusiasm for students as they graduated and began the next steps of their lives, coupled with his twinkling sense of humour, was an inspiration.
He will be greatly missed by all those who knew him, and our thoughts are with his family.
Vaccination planning – reminder
You can still support vaccination planning by filling in the Office for Students online questionnaire regarding your vaccination status. This information will also support our work with the Devon and Cornwall Clinical Commissioning Groups (these are the NHS’ representatives in Devon and Cornwall) in their planning of vaccination clinics.
Completing the questionnaire is not mandatory and your responses will be completely anonymous. You do not need to share any personal data. The data collected will be reported to the Office for Students and will be shared with the NHS to help plan their delivery of vaccinations to you and our community over the coming months. You can find out more about vaccinations on our website.
Regular LFD testing on campus
To ensure our spring term can continue as planned, it remains really important that we keep testing regularly to stop the spread of infection. We have collection points on our campus where you can pick up an LFD home test kit – this will allow you to continue testing yourself in your own home before you visit campus. You will need to book a time to pick up your kit. Please ensure you report your results. If you test positive, report your results by filling in the Cornwall COVID-19 online results form.
More vaccination clinics
We are holding another COVID-19 vaccination clinic at The Exchange, Penryn Campus on Tuesday 25 January, 10-3pm. The clinic will be providing first and second doses as well as booster jabs for anyone that is eligible. If attending for your second dose, your first dose must have taken place at least eight weeks ago.
Please book a vaccination slot online for this clinic. You will need to Click on ‘Activities’ and choose the date of the pop up vaccination clinic you’d like to attend, then book a time slot for ‘COVID-19 vaccination’.
New Vaccine Clinic Opens in Falmouth
A permanent Covid Vaccination Clinic has opened at the Atherton Suite within The Old Post Office, the office of Falmouth Town Council, on the Moor in Falmouth. You can either prebook appointments or simply turn up for the appropriate vaccines or boosters depending on your status.
Find out more about Falmouth COVID-19 Clinics here or enter ‘Falmouth’ when looking for vaccination locations on england.nhs.uk.
You must wear your face covering - let’s protect each other
Face coverings must be worn inside all buildings on campus unless you are exempt. Please continue to wear your reusable face covering to protect our University community and ensure our spring term can continue as planned. We have created a video of some well-known University faces explaining why it’s important for them to wear their face coverings. Visit our website to watch the video and for more guidance.
Self-isolation times reduced for those testing negative
From today, if you have tested positive for COVID-19, you will only need to self-isolate for five full days, as long as you have a negative lateral flow device (LFD) test on day five and a negative test at the start of day six of your isolation. If both these test results are negative, and you do not have a high temperature, you can end your self-isolation. The LFD test results must be reported after taking each test. This also applies to anyone who is already in isolation.
The default self-isolation period continues to be 10 days, and you may only leave self-isolation early if you have two negative LFD results and do not have a temperature, in line with Government guidance.
It is crucial that anyone isolating with COVID-19 waits until they have received two negative LFD tests on two consecutive days to reduce the chance of social mixing while still infectious. The first test must be taken no earlier than day 5 of the self-isolation period, and the second must be taken the following day. For example, if you are positive on day 5, then a negative test is required on day 6 and day 7 to release from isolation, or if you are positive on day 6, then a negative test is required on days 7 and 8, and so on until the end of day 10. You do not need to take any more consecutive LFD tests after the 10th day of your self-isolation period and you may stop self-isolating after this day unless you have a high temperature, where you should continue to isolate and contact your GP. Please continue to test regularly, twice a week, every week, and before coming to campus.
Those who leave self-isolation on or after day 6 must continue to wear face coverings and are strongly advised to limit close contact with other people in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces, study from home if they can do so and minimise contact with anyone who is at higher risk of severe illness if infected with COVID-19.
For anyone needing to self-isolate, we have a range of support and digital hampers available for you. Details can be found on our website.
Meningitis: don’t assume it’s COVID-19
Meningitis is a life-threatening condition, so it’s important to know the signs and symptoms. Symptoms can appear in any order. Some may not appear at all. Early symptoms can include: fever with cold hands and feet, headache, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pain and stomach cramps.
Meningitis is a medical emergency, so it’s vital that you act fast. If you, or someone you know, contracts symptoms don’t assume it’s COVID-19 or flu, call NHS 111 or your doctor immediately. If you or the person concerned becomes seriously ill, then dial 999.
The MenACWY jab protects against four types of meningitis and it is free for students from Penryn Surgery - if you’re unsure whether you have already had the vaccine, please contact your doctor.
Erase the Grey – gender safety campaign
TRIGGER WARNING: violence and sexual violence
This week sees the launch of the “Erase the Grey” campaign. Originally launched by Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) and being run by the University of Exeter under licence from GCU, the campaign conveys key messages which challenge stereotypical attitudes and behaviours and reiterates a zero-tolerance policy towards gender-based violence. Find out more here.
Expect to see impactful messages displayed around campus, on social media and in newsletters over the coming months, to encourage people to change attitudes and behaviours and raise awareness of a wide range of issues.
We appreciate that some of these messages are powerful and may evoke unsettling or distressing memories for some people; if you need it we strongly encourage you to reach out for support from our support and wellbeing teams or the Students’ Union Advice Service.
Keep your contacts up to date
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.
Adjustments for summer exams – 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’re not sure – please get in touch with Wellbeing Services as soon as possible.
The deadline for arrangements for the May 2022 exams is Monday 14 February and you need to have sent your supporting evidence to Accessibility before this date.
Religious Observance for summer exams
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 May assessment period, from 7 May – 1 June 2022, please let us know by completing the form, by Friday 28 January 2022 at the latest.
Masters scholarships available
The Aziz Foundation is now accepting Masters scholarships applications for 2022/23. The first application cycle is open from now until 31 March with awards being announced from April onwards.
Scholarships are being awarded through 19 partner universities and in six subject areas: Media and Journalism, Law, Policy, Technology, Sustainability and Environment, and Creative Content.
The Aziz Foundation team is very much looking forward to reading applications and speaking with candidates once again this year. Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded over 400 scholarships, amounting to an investment of £5.7m in British Muslim communities.
To apply and for more information, please visit our scholarships application page.
Mind Over Natter with Paralympian Issy Bailey
In our first Mind Over Natter of 2022, we are excited to be joined by Paralympian Issy Bailey. Issy is a University of Exeter alumna who made her Paralympic debut at Rio 2016, two years after joining the Shooting Para sport squad. Issy was the sole representative in pistol shooting for team GB at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics and competed in the women’s 10m air pistol SH1 and mixed 25m pistol SH1 at this year’s Games.
Join us on Wednesday 26 January 12.45 - 13.30 as Issy shares her journey to the Paralympics and how she has looked after her wellbeing while competing at the top level. You can register here.
Peer Support Groups Restart
The following groups will start running again fortnightly, they are designed to be safe, supportive spaces that encourage connection.
- Georgia’s voice: For young women with mental health concerns.
- Man Down: For men who are struggling with any kind of mental health issues
- Intercom Trust: A social and peer supportive environment to discuss LGBTQ+ student life in Falmouth and Penryn
- Many Rivers: Facilitated gathering run with a theme agreed by the BAME group attendees
Click here and scroll down the webpage to find out more.
SU President Elections 2022
Over the next two weeks, your SU will be running sessions on what to expect from a year as an SU president and giving you the chance to experience scenarios that the SU presidents face on a daily basis. SU staff are also hosting sessions where you can learn more about the roles and what it's like to work in the SU.
So, what are you waiting for? Nominate yourself now and take the courageous step into student elections! Nominations close at 12pm on Monday 7 February.
Future 17
Future17 is a new global initiative which aims to support you to develop the skills needed to collaboratively tackle global challenges, working in virtual teams to create solutions to real-world issues associated with one or more of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Successful completion will be recognised through an accreditation awarded by QS, which could then be translated into academic credit as part of your degree. We will be running a pilot of Future17 from late January to May 2022 and you can now apply to be part of the program (the application deadline is 9am on Monday 24 January).
If you’re interested in finding out more about how to take part in this innovative new initiative and helping us shape its future, let us know by filling in this form.
You can find out more details at the following link, where you can sign-up for an online Q&A session: Information is available here. Contact the Future17 Academic Lead: Stewart Barr or the Project Manager: Re Oakley for further information.
Access to Internships (A2I)
Access to Internships (A2I) is here to support you in creating a paid internship with a UK small to medium sized company, charity or with the University. We can provide funding for those who are eligible to support a £9.50 - £11.09 per hour internship. All funding is issued on a first-come-first-serve basis. Get in touch at A2i@exeter.ac.uk or browse our website to see how we can help.
Tuesday 25 January, 10-3pm, The Exchange, Penryn Campus, Vaccination Clinic. Book a slot.
Tuesday 25 January, 6:30-7:15pm, University Structure Q&A. Access the Teams live event here.
Wednesday 26 January, 12.45 - 13.30, Mind Over Natter with Paralympian Issy Bailey. Register here.
Don't forget to also keep your eye out on events and activities run by your Students' Union.
Tell us what you think of this newsletter:
Get in touch with your feedback or news stories at: studentcomms@exeter.ac.uk
