eNews extra: coronavirus (#34)
Read issue 34 of eNews extra: coronavirus – sent to all staff on Friday 4 December.
- Additional asymptomatic testing dates in December
- Approach to students’ return in the new year
- Share your ideas | Digital Technology: affordances and challenges
- In case you missed it last week…
- Useful information and links…
- Keeping up to date...
New this week…
Additional asymptomatic testing dates in December
Our asymptomatic (lateral flow) testing facility was established at the request of the Government to enable students to travel with greater confidence during the Government’s student travel window (3 – 9 December). We were asked to operate the testing facility between 30 November and 9 December.
The tests indicate (albeit not with complete reliability) whether students who do not currently have covid-19 symptoms are carrying the virus. The idea is that, if they test positive, they can self-isolate before travelling over the winter break and protect others.
There is demand from some postgraduate researchers and students on placements (who have not been able to travel during the travel window) for the testing facility to be extended beyond 9 December.
Our Care Quality Commission licence allows us to extend the testing period until Monday 14 December, so tests will now be made available for all students until that date. However, due to the conditions of the licence, staff availability and capacity, we are unable to extend this provision to staff members.
We are working with Leeds City Council and local government to understand how more permanent lateral flow testing might be rolled out in the new year. We will share this information once we know more. Students will be able to book a test for the additional dates from Monday 7 December. An email to students making them aware of the extended testing period will be issued on Monday 7 December.
Approach to students’ return in the new year
This morning, Roger Gair, University Secretary wrote to all staff about the Government’s newly published guidance on the return of students for the spring term. We’ll share arrangements with colleagues and students next week commencing 7 December.
Share your ideas | Digital Technology: affordances and challenges
As part of a new series of Inside Track features, Professor Neil Morris, Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Digital Transformation, discusses the affordances and challenges of digital technology
Other features in the series include exploring the potential of online education, freeing up our time with digital technologies and enhancing our research and innovation through digital transformation
From any of the above features you can find out how to get more involved. Start now by sharing your ideas using our Padlet boards: what should our digital transformation priorities be in the areas of student education, research and innovation and ways of working?
In case you missed it last week…
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. Sessions on 8, 9, 10 December 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 deadline
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.
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.
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 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
- The health and safety of our students and staff is our absolute priority. To support this and to ensure transparency, we publish a weekly update on the numbers of positive covid-19 test results
Teaching and research
- Digital Practice website has support, development opportunities and resources for online teaching, working and study.
- For digital student education or assessment system problems, follow this guidance on resolving issues and alternative solutions
- Follow the Collaborate Ultra guidance to ensure your online teaching 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.