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University Updates
This week in University Updates...
There's information on how you can get involved in Movember, an invitation to engage on the Night Safety scheme with the Provost Commission, upcoming Diwali celebrations and many more exciting events!
Safety
Drink Spiking
If you think your drink has been spiked (or you think someone else’s has) please let staff in the venue you’re in, know. All of the main clubs in Exeter and our own Ram bar, have plans in place and they will be able to help you. It’s important to also report it to the police as this provides vital intelligence and helps arrests to be made. All police patrol cars have testing kits on board.
You can read advice from your Students’ Guild on what to do if you think you, or a friend, has been spiked.
Remember you can collect your own spiking detection kits and personal alarms from halls receptions, the Estate Patrol Office in Northcote House, the Ram bar, the Sports Park, and the St Lukes SID desk.
Opportunity to engage on Night Safety scheme with the Provost Commission - Wednesday 10 Nov
We've been working with students to develop a pilot Night Safety scheme in Exeter. You can hear about its development, and help us to shape the way forward at the next Provost Commission meeting taking place via Microsoft Teams this Wednesday 10 November (10am – 11.30am). The session will also be an opportunity to hear more about work to support equality, diversity and inclusion across the University community. To sign up please email Lizzie Caughey/Jen Fook on Caughey.Fook@exeter.ac.uk. If you're unable to attend but would like to find out more please reach out to Lizzie and Jen and they will share details.
Keep your valuables safe from theft
The Student Community Wardens are offering a free security marking service every Tuesday on campus, starting on 16 November. They offer bike and small valuable security marking to deter thefts and make them traceable if they do get stolen. You don’t need to book - just come to Exehale room (1st floor in Devonshire House) between 4:30- 6pm every Tuesday and they’ll be happy to help. You can find out more via the Exehale Wellbeing page.
COP26
It’s week two of COP26 in Glasgow and once again we have a strong team of experts leading action on the climate emergency and ecological crisis. This week Professor Richard Betts has a series of events on climate risk and adaptation; Richard is also part of an event with Professor Pierre Friedlingstein one of the lead authors on the Global Carbon Budget who will discuss ‘1.5°C: where are we now, where are we headed, what are the risks?’; Professor Gavin Shaddick will be part of an event on public health in a warmer world; and Dr John Wedgwood Clarke will lead an exhibition on the Red River poetry project.
You can find details on COP26 events on Green Futures. You can also catch up on last week’s activities including Professor Saffron O’Neill’s work on climate change communications, Professor Gail Whiteman’s Arctic Basecamp’s activities including an event hosted by the Business School and the multi-disciplinary One Chance Left poetry project.
Update on recent University and College Union (UCU) ballots
UCU members were asked if they would be willing to take industrial action over the USS pension and pay and conditions. At Exeter, the turnout for the USS pension ballot was 47% and the turnout for the pay and conditions ballot was 47.2% - both are below the legally required 50% minimum threshold needed to support strike action and/or action short of a strike. On the basis of this outcome, no industrial action will be taken at Exeter in relation to either the USS pension or the pay and conditions ballots, however, we will keep you informed of any further developments.
COVID-19
Vaccinations - protect yourself this winter
Boost your immunity this winter with the flu and COVID-19 vaccinations. If you are eligible for a free flu vaccination, your GP will contact you. If you are not eligible, you can pay for a vaccination at local pharmacies or supermarkets with pharmacy departments. If you haven’t already had your COVID-19 vaccinations, you can book at your nearest vaccination centre online, or come to vaccination clinics below:
Streatham Campus, Innovation Centre, 10am-5pm
- Monday 8 November
- Monday 22 and Tuesday 23 November
All clinics will offer 1st and 2nd dose Pfizer vaccinations. If it is your second dose, your first dose must have been Pfizer, and must have taken place at least eight weeks ago. Please ensure you bring your NHS number and details of previous vaccinations.
Your learning
January 2022 exams
The majority of January 2022 exams will take place online, with some modules running as on-campus exams, where this is a requirement of the learning outcomes. Exams are being held on campus where invigilation is required, and submissions are difficult to capture online, such as formula-based/graphical exams, practical exams and oral exams.
Online exams will be delivered in one of two formats, called Options:
Option 1 - An open-book, non-invigilated paper that must be completed and submitted within 24 hours following the start time written on your paper and on your exam timetable.
Option 2 - An open-book, non-invigilated exam that must be completed and submitted within a fixed duration during a specified 24-hour period as defined on your paper and on your exam timetable.
Exams will start on Monday 10 January. For more information, please read the updated Student Handbook for Exams.
Complete our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion and Consent training
All students are expected to complete our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion and Consent training. This training is an important step in ensuring everyone feels welcome and included at our University and you are central to this. We realise that some students will already have deeper knowledge about the topics covered but these are introductory modules designed to ensure all our students have a foundational understanding of these key issues. There will be opportunities to further explore these important topics throughout the year.
Find a tandem partner online for language and intercultural exchanges
If you’d like to find a tandem partner, the European University Tandem (EUniTa) project can match you with a student from one of our partner universities in Brazil, France, Germany, Italy and Spain. You can sign up for free to find a partner for practicing speaking any foreign languages and to engage in intercultural exchanges. The EU-funded EUniTa online platform was co-developed by the University’s Department of Modern Languages and Cultures and is open to all our students. If you want to find out more, please contact Christian Mossmann (C.Mossmann@exeter.ac.uk).
Wellbeing
Wellbeing Road Trip: Housing
Anxious about looking for a place to live next year or finding the right people to live with? Come chat to your Student Community Wardens: they’ve got the experience and useful guides to make your search less stressful. With tools to resolve disputes and taking our fun quiz to figure out what kind of people you really want to live with - they will help to address your questions and concerns. They’ll be at Queen’s building on Tuesday 9 November 2 - 3pm.
Accommodation drop-in
Have questions about housing for next year? Come along to a drop -in session on Wednesday 10 November, 1:30 – 4pm, at the Piazza Marquee on our Streatham Campus. Your Students’ Guild Advice team and Residence Life team will be there to answer your questions and address any concerns. Find out more on the accommodation website here.
Get some zzzzzzzzs
This week, Wellbeing is hosting a webinar called Go to Bed and Get Some Sleep! This workshop aims to give you information about sleep and what can cause problems in sleeping patterns.
Eating Difficulties Workshops
Our wellbeing team is running a series of online workshops this term on eating difficulties. If you are interested in attending and would like to be added to the relevant mailing list, please contact wellbeing@exeter.ac.uk. You can find out more about each workshop here. The next two workshops will be:
‘Mindset, Nutrition and University’ on Tuesday 9 November, 2 – 4pm
This workshop aims to discuss common features of various eating difficulties, address popular myths and share guidance on nutrition, as well as share strategies which can help you manage anxieties about eating.
‘Why do I binge and how do I stop?’ on Tuesday 16 November 2 – 4pm
This webinar will focus on the common features of eating difficulties and what keeps binge eating cycles going. We’ll discuss key factors in this cycle called compensatory behaviours, as well as strategies to reduce unhelpful behaviours and challenge thoughts which maintain them.
Fika: Mental Fitness
Fika is a Mental Fitness platform designed to help you improve your Seven Skills of Mental Fitness.
In the Fika app, or web platform, you can work through the extensive library of exercises across all skills. All of the exercises are delivered in a 5-minute format, making it easier for you to fit it in to your day. If you want some extra guidance with the exercises, the Fika trainers put on livestreams via the app, where you can tune in and hear from experts and other users. As you work your way though, you can also earn endorsed certificates, which you can add to your CV, LinkedIn profile and other places.
Fika is accessible for free by searching 'Fika' and downloading the app from the App Store/Google Play Store, and registering using your university email address.
Take part in a university-wide study of international students’ wellbeing
A research team based in the Department of Psychology is carrying out a study to explore more about international students’ wellbeing and mental health during the pandemic. They’d like to hear from you about the wellbeing issues you may face at this time and find ways to protect you from negative feelings. They invite you to fill out an online survey to tell them about the factors that may undermine or protect your wellbeing. Participants will have the chance to win 1 of 5 £10 Amazon vouchers. The deadline to fill out the survey is Friday 10 December.
Movember
Together this Movember
This Movember, whether you grow a moustache, get moving, or simply check in with someone you care about, share the Movember message. If you need a safe place to share how you’re feeling, togetherall is an anonymous online community with self-help resources.
Student Sport Update: Movember is here
Movember: Our aim this year is to match the remarkable £200,000 the University raised last year. All 51 of our AU clubs have nominated two people to work as Movember reps. They will then work with the University Movember committee on ways to fundraise for this fantastic cause.
Membership Price Drop: Want to join the gym, or thinking about upgrading your current membership? Please have a chat with the reception team who will be able to advise and help (HPP athletes are not eligible for the price drop). More information can be found on our webpages.
Checkout our Movember podcast
Last year saw the University’s Movember efforts raise vital awareness and over £200,000 for men's health - putting us at the top of the hotly contested 'Big Moustache On Campus' leader board. On the back of this successful campaign, we interviewed three Movember Ambassadors about their involvement with the charity and why they think Movember has become the face of men's mental health. You can listen to the episode on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Events
Compassion and Community
As part of the Festival of Compassion themes of compassion and community, join our Compassionate Café on Saturday 20 November in Exeter. This will be a celebration of a multicultural community with music, food, book signing, games, conversations, knitting and even LEGO to build a better relationship with nature.
On Monday 21 November you can learn more about compassion in different faiths and traditions as the Multifaith Chaplaincy team will speak about what compassion is and how it is practised within their faith / worldview tradition. This will offer specific insights on the practices of compassion within our lives and community.
Join us at the St Luke’s Volunteer Garden for outdoor activities (we do have some shelter) on Wednesday 24 (10.00-16.00) and Thursday 25 November (12.00-14.00). These walk-in events will help promote general wellbeing, as well as show compassion for others within the University and the community, through fun and contemplation. Activities include gardening, crafting, readings and creating the Tree of Compassion. Refreshments available. Donations for Exeter Foodbank.
Keeping checking our webpage for more events as they get finalised. All the events are free!
You can also receive a surprise envelope filled with kindness and compassion. Sign-up before Friday 12 November - visit the Festival webpage to find out more. Ticket numbers are limited.
Writing from the margins
On Wednesday 10 November, 12:30-14:30pm, author Kes Otter Lieffe will run an online Creative Writing Workshop called “Writing From the Margins”, geared towards holding creative space and inspiring creativity (and beyond) as marginalised people. In this workshop, Kes will share some of her writing techniques and hold creative space for dreaming and writing. Kes will invite participants to dive into our visions of resistance and utopia and to turn some of those images into writing and maybe even action.
No experience of fiction writing is necessary to participate. You can register online via eventbrite.
If you have questions or concerns, contact transcafe@exeter.ac.uk. If you are trans, nonbinary, questioning and/or intersex and would like to take part the Trans and Non-binary Café, just email us to join.
Student Incubator Projects: Work in Progress Sessions
Our Work In Progress (WIP) meetings are an opportunity to hear about projects run by our fellows this year. They also represent a chance to meet like-minded colleagues and engage with them on exciting and innovative projects. These lunchtime sessions will take place between 12:30-13:30 and are held every two weeks this term, with the next session being held on Thursday 11 November.
While initially online, we are intending for these sessions to move to face-to-face later in the year. If you would like to join any of these sessions, please email us at educationincubator@exeter.ac.uk.
Come and enjoy the Festival of Lights
The Asian and Hindu Societies are pleased to invite everyone to their vibrant Diwali celebrations on our Streatham Campus on Sunday 14 November, 2.30-7.00pm. Following a traditional Puja, get a henna tattoo, join a dance workshop, paint a diya, learn about Diwali and enjoy some delicious traditional Indian food. The societies are planning a spectacular performance in the Great Hall at 5.15pm and the event will finish with fireworks at XFI at 6.45pm. Come for some, come for all, just don't miss out!
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.
Law Virtual Careers Fair Wednesday 10 November - Book now
On Wednesday 10 November, we will be holding our second Law Virtual Careers Fair from 11:30am-3:30pm. We will be hosting organisations which are either advertising training contracts or vacation schemes. All students are welcome. Over 40 companies have signed up and are keen to talk to you in group sessions and 1:1s.
You can book your space in sessions at any time, up to the end of the fair – as long as they aren’t full!
Postgraduate Study at the University of Exeter
We offer a range of Masters programmes, many of which can be studied without a background in the subject. Our research expertise is vast and we offer over 100 funded PhD studentships annually in addition to advertised PhD projects and the opportunity to create a PhD thesis of your choosing. Current University of Exeter students also get fee reductions and fast track applications.
We are running a Postgraduate Open Day on Tuesday 16 November and Postgraduate Subject Information sessions from 3 November – 7 December. Book your place to find out more about all levels of postgraduate study.
Congratulations to our award-winning Civil Engineering Degree Apprentice
We are proud to announce that one of our Civil Engineering Degree Apprentices, Brian Munyanyiwa, has been named the South West’s most promising apprentice at the annual Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) Young Achiever Awards. He was recognised for his leadership, planning and communication skills. Brian works at South West Highways (parent company: Eurovia) and is now in his third year of studying on the Civil Engineering degree apprenticeship programme with us. Read more here.
Join us to celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week
Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) is taking place this week, 8-14 November, and is the world's biggest celebration of entrepreneurship. As part of GEW, the Career Zone will be hosting a range of events to inspire and help you explore the skills, knowledge and attributes needed to go freelance, be self-employed, start-up your own business or to become an entrepreneurial employee. Keep up to date with what events are running on the GEW webpage. We’ll also be releasing some special episodes of the Career Zone Podcast on Social Enterprise and Student Startups, which you can listen to on Spotify or iTunes.
Access to Internships (A2I)
Did you know Access to Internships (A2I) can help you to arrange an internship with your lecturer? If you are eligible A2I could provide support and generous funding to help you do this. All funding is issued on a first-come-first-served basis until Friday 13 May 2022. For more information, including how to apply, please visit these webpages.
Tuesday 9 - Thursday 11 November, The Forum, 'Famine Tale' is an exhibition exploring the cultural histories of famine in early modern India and Britain. Visit the event page.
Wednesday 10 November, 10 – 11:30am, Provost Commission meeting taking place via Microsoft Teams. Come along to hear about and shape the development of a pilot Night Safety scheme in Exeter.
Wednesday 10 November, 2:30 – 3:30pm, Healthy sleep workshop. Register here.
Thursday 11 November, 10.55am-11.05am. Act of Remembrance for Armistice Day. Gathering in Mary Harris Memorial Chapel (Streatham Campus) or St Luke’s Chapel (St Luke’s Campus).
Sunday 14 November, 2.30-7.00pm, the Asian and Hindu Societies are pleased to invite everyone to their vibrant Diwali celebrations on Streatham Campus.
Sunday 14 November, 7pm, Mary Harris Memorial Chapel. Remembrance Sunday service.
Tuesday 16 November, online, Postgraduate Open Day. Book your place at and find out more information about all levels of postgraduate study on our website.
Wednesday 17 November, 4pm, How we invest responsibly. The event will take place in the Alumni Auditorium, Streatham Campus, and online using this Teams link.
Wednesday November 17, 6:30pm, PRISM Speakers: Shining a light on the queer side of science for LGBTQ+ STEM day, Rougemont Room, Exeter Library or online. You can find more information and book your tickets here.
Wednesday 17 November, Virtual Aspiring Educators Fair. Don’t miss out – register now!
Thursday 24 November, Enter Shikari are coming to The Great Hall as part of their UK tour.
Thursday 2 December, 10:30 - 2:30pm with a quieter slot from 10.30-11.00am, the Great Hall, Accommodation Fair. More information, support on private housing and the student pad site can be found on the accommodation website.
Every Monday and every other Thursday, 7 - 8pm, Eating Difficulties Support Group. Find out more about where meetings are held and further support resources on their Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.
Don't forget to also keep your eye out on events and activities run by your Students’ Guild.
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Get in touch with your feedback or news stories at: studentcomms@exeter.ac.uk
