Coronavirus Updates

Dear All,

With the majority of the elderly and the vulnerable having received at least one Covid-19 vaccine dose, the hope of Spring and new beginnings is just around the corner. On 24 February, Prime Minister Boris Johnson outlined a “roadmap” out of lockdown for England. This four-stage timetable, outlines how the pandemic restrictions will be removed over the next 4 months (in stages of at least five weeks apart), with the aim of reopening society and the economy whilst protecting the vulnerable and minimising Covid-19 transmission.

12th April: The University remains at Institutional tier 3 status
Students on practical and creative courses, and those on clinical, ‘future critical worker’ students (who have been on-campus all academic year) can continue with on-campus teaching and learning one day a week, with the remainder of timetabled contact hours scheduled on-line and accessed via Track My Future. In addition to the on-campus timetabled sessions, a booking system is available for these students who require access to facilities such as studios and recording studios beyond their one day per week on-campus timetabled sessions. Students should check Moodle for your updated timetable and any course queries should be directed to your school via email.

For all other students (except for those on practical, creative or clinical courses), your teaching and learning will continue on-line until we have further Government guidance.  We remain hopeful that more students may be able to return to campus and are we preparing a Summer Term enrichment programme of assessment support, academic extension, social and sporting events (aligned with the government’s roadmap out of lockdown) to support and celebrate our ability to collaborate and connect in-person again. Please check Moodle for more details on the timetable of activities.

Please note that, whilst timetabled on-campus engagement is restricted to one day per week for specific courses, any student who meets one or more of the following criteria are able to access campus facilities on any day (subject to both self-isolation guidelines and a twice-weekly negative asymptomatic test):

• International students 
• Students without access to appropriate study spaces or facilities in their off-campus accommodation
• Students who have remained in their University Halls of Residence accommodation over the period of lockdown
• Students requiring additional support, including those with mental health issues
• Students on placements

University services and facilities continue to operate, including essential on-campus services such as the libraries and our Halls of Residence. All University services are also available online. The latest information about each service can be seen at our on-campus student service provision page. For those students who fulfil one or more of the criteria above, private study space can be found at Docklands and Stratford Libraries. Please refer to your module checker within Track My Future and check specific details in Moodle from your course leader for any changes to the timetable as a result of moving to a new operational Tier.

For those students who fulfil one or more of the criteria above, private study space can be found at Docklands and Stratford Libraries. Please refer to your module checker within Track My Future and check specific details in Moodle from your course leader for any changes to the timetable as a result of moving to a new operational Tier.

Healthy Behaviours

We have worked hard to implement additional health and safety measures across the last year, and have created a Covid-19 secure campus environment. As more people are enabled back to campus, all of these measures will remain in place, and we ask that you familiarise yourself once more with the Covid-secure campus guidelines. Now is the time for us all to remember the importance and impact of our own behaviours and the expectations we have in this regard. If your course requires any on-campus learning/teaching you should follow our step-by-step guide, noting the emphasis on asymptomatic testing:

• Commit to the (updated) University of East London Covid-19 Community Pledge
• Complete your daily Covid-19 Health Questionnaire for students or staff
• Remember your Daily 123
• Anyone visiting campus has a quick-turnaround asymptomatic Covid-19 test, bookable in our on-campus testing facility located in SportsDock. This should be done on the morning of a visit. If you are visiting campus regularly you should take the test twice weekly as a minimum. For those students and staff returning to on-campus activity at Stratford, regular use of the Newham asymptomatic testing facility in Vicarage Lane may be preferable.

Taking care of yourself

During these challenging times, it is important to look after your health and wellbeing. The University is here for our students no matter the issue and you are encouraged to visit our #UELConnected wellbeing portal online if you need support. If you would like to speak to a member of our wellbeing team, you can contact the team at wellbeing@uel.ac.uk or on 020 8223 4444 or visit the intranet page for further information about what you can access at a student at the University of East London.

The University’s hardship funds continue to be open for application for students who could benefit from extra financial help with rent, food, technology or other needs. I encourage you to apply.
We understand that our circumstances remain challenging, and I thank you for doing your part to reduce the spread of the virus within our communities and keep people safe. Please continue to check our intranet and website for regular Covid-19 updates. 

I look forward to welcoming you safely back to campus in the near future.

With best wishes,
Amanda

Professor Amanda J. Broderick
BA (Hons) PhD DipM DipMRS PGCTL FRSA MBGS FCIM FHEA
Vice-Chancellor & President

The Government announced a 4-step plan to ease lockdown in England on Monday 22nd February. From 8th March, students on practical and creative courses will join our clinical, ‘future critical worker’ students (who have been on-campus all academic year) and return to on-campus teaching and learning one day a week.

Guided by data, the government will review the return of students on all other courses by the end of the Easter Holidays.

Read this letter from Minister of State for Universities Michelle Donelan for further information.

Visit this page for up to date advice from the UK government on travel restrictions.  

Those students who are undertaking training and study for the creative, practical and clinical courses should return to face-to-face learning as planned and be tested twice, upon arrival or self-isolate for 10 days.

Students who do not study these courses should remain where they are wherever possible, and start their term online, as facilitated by the university until at least the Easter Holidays.

If you live at university, you should not move back and forward between your permanent home and student home during term time.

For those students who are eligible for face-to-face teaching, you can meet in groups of more than your household as part of your formal education or training, where necessary.

Students should socially distance from anyone you do not live with, wherever possible.

We have a quick turn-around asymptomatic Covid-19 testing centre, at Arena 2 in SportsDock ( DocklandsCampus). You can book your test ahead of your visit, using this form. If you are visiting campus regularly you should get tested twice weekly.

Staff and students are highly encouraged to attend and play their part in helping to reduce the spread of the virus and to commit to the University of East London Covid-19 Community Pledge and following our Healthy Behaviours when on campus which include following our Daily 123.

The University is operating at institutional Tier 3 status: