An update sent to students on Tuesday 17 March 2020
Dear students
As you will be aware, the Scottish and UK governments yesterday announced wide ranging measures to combat the spread of coronavirus Covid-19. Everyone in the UK has been advised to avoid social contact with others and non-essential travel. People have been advised to work from home where possible.
The University had already decided on Friday last week to suspend face to face teaching at our Aberdeen campuses for all undergraduate and taught postgraduate students and to move progressively to home working for staff.
In light of yesterday’s advice from government, we are accelerating plans for home working. We will be in touch later today with an update on what that will mean for the facilities and services for students on our Aberdeen campuses.
We wish to reiterate that:
- all undergraduate and taught postgraduate students are free to travel home if you are able to do so, and as
- Exams will not be taking place on campus in this academic year (2019/2020), you will not need to return to campus until the 2020/2021 semester commences.
If you are planning to travel - even in the UK - you should do so without delay. We are communicating separately to research postgraduate students.
Your Schools / disciplines will have been in touch already with an update regarding teaching. You will understand that in the light of the latest government announcement we will continue to assess and monitor our approach to teaching and assessment. Please bear with us while we work through that so that we can support you in the best way we can.
Given extensive travel restrictions being imposed around the world we are also accelerating efforts to ensure that all students overseas return to their usual place of residence if it is safe to do, and they have not already done so. Students in this situation are being contacted directly.
Should you need to contact a member of staff, please use email as your primary method of communication because of our move to home working. Support services for academic and non-academic issues will continue to operate during this time, details of which will be communicated later today.
Follow health guidance
Once again can we emphasise how imperative it is to observe the following health advice to prevent the transmission of the virus:
- wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
- always wash your hands when you get home or into any new environment
- use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
- cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
- put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards
- try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell
You should also familiarise yourself with the latest guidance around self-isolating.
Please be patient as we make this major shift and please check our FAQs before making enquiries.
We know how challenging this situation is for everyone. Our priority at this time must be to implement government advice, which is designed to save lives. Be sure to check in on one another and be sure to follow the advice of health agencies. We will be in touch with a further update later today.
Best wishes
Karl & Ruth
Professor Karl Leydecker Professor Ruth Taylor
Chair of Coronavirus Steering Group Vice-Principal (Education)
Senior Vice-Principal