The State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II: Monday 19 September
This is a copy of the email sent to all staff on Tuesday 13 September by Jennifer Sewel, University Secretary.
Dear colleagues,
The State Funeral for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will take place on Monday 19 September. This day will be a national bank holiday and as such, the University will be closed and only critical services available.
As a mark of respect, the Union flag on the Parkinson Building is being flown at half-mast during the official period of national mourning and we are lighting up our buildings purple.
There’s a book of condolence for those who wish to add a message. Physical books of condolence are available in Leeds Civic Hall every day from 8am to 6pm, accessed via the Portland Crescent entrance. Information regarding the live screening of the State Funeral is available on the Leeds City Council website.
Arrangements on Monday 19 September – the day of the State Funeral
Monday 19 September will be a non-working day for most staff due to a reduction in services available at the University. As it is an exceptional public holiday, pro rata arrangements for part-time staff will not apply.
The usual bank holiday arrangements will be in place regarding pay for those members of staff required to work, and managers will follow up directly with individuals/teams in this regard in the next 24 hours. We are grateful to those who are working on Monday to maintain critical University services.
Colleagues that have already taken the day as annual leave will have this refunded (this is to be managed locally given the proximity to the end of the annual leave year).
Critical services
- Reactive maintenance, security and cleaning will run as per other bank holidays but planned maintenance and construction will pause for the day.
Library
- The Laidlaw Library will open from 9am to 5pm. All other libraries will close for the day, reopening as usual on Tuesday 20 September.
Students
- Teaching and induction events on Monday 19 September are cancelled. The remainder of the welcome and induction programme will continue as planned.
- The Student Information Service will be open to deal with any urgent enquiries.
- The international student arrivals service, including links to accommodation, will continue to assist new arrivals to Leeds.
- Some students will be on placements on Monday 19 September. Clinical and social work placements will continue unless alternative arrangements are made by the relevant provider. However, students who would find it difficult to continue with their placement should contact their school to discuss alternative arrangements.
- Sporting fixtures will be cancelled.
- Students in halls of residence and the wider Leeds community will be asked to be particularly considerate of neighbours at this time.
- Postgraduate researchers’ final and transfer examinations scheduled for Monday 19 September will be rearranged for an alternative date.
Parking
- Parking on campus will operate like a usual bank holiday. Campus parking is free to staff who have registered on ParkIT. Orange Zone is open to the public and tariffs apply. Core hours will restart at 7am on Tuesday 20 September.
The Edge
- The Edge will be closed on Monday 19 September.
Bright Beginnings
- The on-campus day nursery, Bright Beginnings, will be closed.
During the ongoing period of mourning, whilst business as usual will continue, we ask that you act sensitively and assess whether any changes need to be made to any locally planned events and communications. These decisions will very much depend on your audience, partners you are working with and the nature of the event or activity.
The University will only be publishing critical communications required around time-sensitive content, for example messages around the start of term. We would urge that any content that can wait until after the period of mourning, such as promotion of research stories, should wait.
It is important to remember that support is available from the University during this time of change and uncertainty. Please see the staff wellbeing page for further information.
There are also several spaces on campus available for prayer and quiet contemplation, whether you practise a particular faith or not.
A version of this email is being sent today to all students and postgraduate researchers.
With kind regards,
Jennifer Sewel
University Secretary