Hello Jemima
Arrangements at Warwick following Government announcement on 22 February 2021
Yesterday the UK Government shared its ‘roadmap’ out of the current lockdown for England: National lockdown: Stay at Home - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Here we set out what that means for the community at Warwick.
We’re focusing on the information you need for the remainder of term 2 at the moment. In this update, we cover:
 Teaching and learning
Research activities
Travel and movement
Rent waiver extension
Safety and testing
Campus services
Support
Looking ahead to term 3
Teaching and learning
MBChB, Social Work and Initial Teaching Training students can continue face-to-face teaching and learning.
In addition, from 8 March to the end of term 2, some students will also resume some face-to-face teaching alongside existing online teaching and learning.
These courses have learning outcomes that require a higher amount of face-to-face teaching before Easter. If you are taking one of these identified courses, your department will be in touch with more information.
For all other students, we ask you to remain where you are and continue to study online for the remainder of term 2. We have made the decision to continue with wholly online learning as we can assure you that this is the best mode of delivery for now, without compromising on our academic quality and standards of teaching and learning.
We are ready to welcome all students back for term 3, particularly those who will take part in practical teaching. And we continue to listen to your feedback and work with the Students’ Union and all academic departments on supporting you with your studies.
Research activities
Research staff and other researchers including postgraduate research students can continue in-person research activities on campus if these can’t be done remotely.
Travel and movement
Students should remain where they are and not travel unless returning for face-to-face teaching for one of the identified courses, or unless they are in the exceptional circumstances listed below.
Exceptional circumstances where you can travel
Studying remotely can be difficult and there are some exceptional circumstances where you can return to campus or the local area, for example:
If you do not have access to appropriate alternative accommodation, facilities or study space
If you need to return for health or safety reasons, or require additional support such as for your mental health and wellbeing
Commuter students that require access to university facilities to access online learning
Researchers and research students who require access to specialist facilities for their work. If research students can work from home, they are encouraged to do so.
You must not move back and forth between your student address and your home address during term time, and must follow the latest government guidance on all travel.
International student travel
There is no change to the current government guidance on entering the UK and associated restrictions. For the latest information, visit International student arrivals.
The physical arrival deadline of 6 April remains unchanged at this time but as soon as we have more information on the plans for term 3, we will update you.
Rent waiver extension
Following the government’s announcement we’re extending the rent waiver for eligible students with on campus accommodation until midnight on 9 April 2021. We will email students who may be eligible directly.
Safety and testing
Our highest priority continues to be the safety of students, staff and the local community. We’re grateful for the part all staff and students are continuing to play in keeping us safe through commitment to our community responsibilities.
Safety measures on campus, which include social distancing, face coverings, enhanced cleaning and Test and Trace, remain in place in line with Government guidelines. We expect these to remain for some time to help to keep all members of our community safe.
We’ll continue to offer asymptomatic (lateral flow) testing to all students and staff living, studying or working on campus. Twice weekly testing helps to break chains of Covid transmission, identify asymptomatic infections and help keep our community safe on campus and beyond.
If you are returning to campus from within the UK, you should also take two Lateral Flow Tests three days apart on arrival or self-isolate for ten days. If you are returning to campus from outside the UK, you should follow Government guidance on testing requirements. The current tests available on campus and through the NHS do not meet Government requirements for people coming to the UK from overseas, so you need to make alternative arrangements.
Book your asymptomatic tests.
There are no immediate changes to how you can socialise on or off-campus. However, from 8 March, you can meet up with one other person outdoors in a public space. You can sit down for coffee or have a picnic outside – this is a slight expansion on current rules allowing exercise with one person from another household. You must continue to maintain social distance from those outside your household.
Campus services
There are no immediate changes to campus services, but we will let you know of any updates. To keep up to date on what is open on campus, visit Student experience at Warwick.
Support
This continues to be a challenging time for us all. Please reach out for support if you need it, either through your department or through our Wellbeing Support Services.
Wellbeing support - You can continue to get wellbeing support through Wellbeing Support Services, our student support helpline and the residential life team on campus. You can also contact your departmental Personal Tutor in the first instance, who can signpost to other support available. There is also dedicated support if you need to self-isolate.
Report + Support - Everyone at Warwick has the right to feel safe. The Report + Support system enables all members of our community to raise any experiences with us by speaking either to a trained adviser or to report their experience anonymously online.
Student hardship funding - The University has decided to allocate the additional hardship funding provided by the UK government to those students who it has identified through its Warwick Bursary Scheme as being from low-income households and with additional needs warranting additional financial support. If your circumstances have changed and you are experiencing financial difficulties, please contact the Student Funding Office in the first instance for information, advice, and guidance.
Looking ahead to term 3
We are really looking forward to being able to welcome all students back to campus and face-to-face teaching and learning, and safe extra-curricular and Warwick Presents activity, for term 3.
At this stage, we can’t confirm detailed arrangements for term 3 because we are dependent on the Government providing further information – expected after the Easter holidays. It is our expectation that you will return to a blended learning model in time for term 3, which starts on 26 April. Once we receive the guidance after Easter, we’ll review this as soon as we can, and we will email you with detailed arrangements for term 3.
Please continue to check your University email account regularly, including during the Easter vacation, and keep an eye on MyWarwick.
Best wishes,
The Student Communications Team
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