eNews extra: coronavirus (#33)
Read issue 33 of eNews extra: coronavirus - sent to all staff on Friday 27 November.
- Students invited to book asymptomatic coronavirus test
- Inside Track | Exploring the potential of online education
- Live, interactive covid-19 discussions
- Covid-19 research funding call
- Updated data | Coronavirus cases among staff and students
- In case you missed it last week...
- Useful information and links...
- Keeping up to date...
New this week…
Students invited to book asymptomatic coronavirus test
On Wednesday 25 November, students were contacted with details on how to book an asymptomatic test on campus, a reminder about the Government’s student travel window and end of term arrangements. The email also included a number of questions and answers on the testing process. Read the email sent to students
We are still exploring whether we can extend the testing facility beyond Wednesday 9 December for staff members, PGR students and those on placements who would like an asymptomatic test. More information will be shared soon.
Inside Track | Exploring the potential of online education
As part of a new series of Inside Track features, Professor Neil Morris, Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Digital Transformation, looks at exploring the potential of online education. Other features in the series include freeing up our time with digital technologies and enhancing our research and innovation through digital transformation
Live, interactive covid-19 discussions
Join leading academics for a series of live, interactive sessions on YouTube to discuss society’s response to covid-19 and what recovery might look like. Starting the week commencing Monday 7 December, these will explore crucial subjects, such as inequalities in healthcare and the impact of the pandemic on disabled people, as well as the role of the community and the knock-on effects for the criminal justice system.
Covid-19 research funding call
UKRI’s funding call for research and innovation ideas to address covid-19 closes at 4pm on Tuesday 15 December. Please note five working days are required for the University’s applications process for this call. Details of more coronavirus-related funding opportunities are expected to be announced in the new year.
Updated data | Coronavirus cases among staff and students
The health and safety of our students and staff is our absolute priority. To support this and to ensure transparency, we are publishing a weekly update on the numbers of positive covid-19 test results along with a graph that shows the number of active cases during the past two weeks.
In case you missed it last week…
End of term arrangements for teaching and asymptomatic testing centres
Further to the Government’s recently published guidance, colleagues were emailed on Thursday 19 November with the latest information and arrangements at Leeds:
- Face-to-face teaching will now end on Wednesday 9 December, two days before the end of term (Friday 11 December). Online teaching will continue as planned until the end of term.
- Asymptomatic testing centres for students will be available in the Refectory and in The Edge between Monday 30 November and Wednesday 9 December to enable students, if they wish, to leave their term-time address for the winter break in the designated ‘Student Travel Window’.
Please read the staff email, End of term arrangements for teaching and asymptomatic testing centres, for the full detail.
You can also view the email sent to students outlining these arrangements. If you are interacting with students, please ask if they have seen this information and point them towards the FAQs on the coronavirus website for more information.
Face coverings on campus
Please remember, when on campus, face coverings must be worn all the time (including when seated) in the following areas:
- Teaching space (providing the use of face coverings does not impact teaching and learning);
- Libraries and study spaces;
- The Refectory and all other University catering outlets;
- Main internal communal areas on campus (e.g. corridors, social spaces);
- All main, public indoor areas in University residences (e.g. reception, corridors, stairs, lifts and toilets) but not inside the flats themselves. If there is an exception for a social space, signage will tell you so;
- All places of worship on campus;
- NHS settings, including hospitals and primary or community care settings, such as GP surgeries.
Read our full guidance on face coverings
Flu vaccinations
Winter flu virus season is here and we’re encouraging and supporting all colleagues to get vaccinated. If you’re not eligible for a free NHS flu jab, you can still protect yourself by booking a private vaccination and the University will reimburse you up to £14.
Useful information and links…
If you receive a positive covid-19 test result, please self-isolate, advise your line manager as soon as possible and report your result to the University.
Read our full guidance on how to report and what to do if you experience covid-19 symptoms, test positive or need to self-isolate. Absence not related to coronavirus should continue to be reported in the normal way.
Key advice and info:
- Coronavirus website – staff advice
- Working on campus
- Commuting and travel to campus
- Report queries, concerns or suggestions related to covid-19 control on campus (e.g. activities where queues form, or issues about buildings or cleaning etc.) via email to the Estates Helpdesk or call 0113 343 5555. Email Wellbeing, Safety & Health for issues relating to safety on campus.
- How to protect your devices and information at home
- How to access HR Self-Service and your M: and N: drives from home
Teaching and research
- The Digital Practice website has support, development opportunities and resources for online teaching, working and study.
- In the event that a digital student education or assessment system goes down or is experiencing a problem, read this guidance on resolving issues and alternative solutions.
- If you’re using Blackboard Collaborate Ultra for online teaching, follow the Collaborate Ultra guidance to ensure all sessions are secure.
- Access support for online teaching, learning and pedagogy through the Digital Education Service helpdesk.
- Access coronavirus UK research funding resources, including funder guidance, links to covid-19 specific funding opportunities and a list of frequently asked questions on awards.
Keeping up to date...
Keep checking our coronavirus website for the latest information and advice as we get it. We’ll also alert you to key changes each week via eNews extra.
No need to trawl your inbox!
You can find our previous staff email communications and student and postgraduate email communications on the coronavirus website.
Posted in: All Staff Email