Covid-19 - Staff Update - working from home & Graduations

Covid-19 - Staff Update - working from home & Graduations

Staff Update - 18 March 2020

Dear colleagues 

Just as we are coming to terms with planning for and in many cases beginning to work from home, it has also been announced today that Scotland’s schools and nurseries will close from Friday (20 March). The most important thing we want to stress today is that we understand the adjustments that we are all making, and will continue to make in the coming days, are enormously challenging. We should not expect from ourselves and each other that we can work as normal through this period. For some, conditions for homeworking will be very difficult at the best of times. This may be due to the nature of the work you do or your personal circumstances, including caring responsibilities of many types. We need to be caring to each other and kind to ourselves. We all need to be aware of giving our colleagues the headspace we all need to cope with our new working environments. 

Home working 

Much work is going on to make sure you have the support you need during this time. We know that staff will need to take equipment home to allow them to work comfortably and effectively, including extra monitors, docking stations, keyboards and other necessary equipment. If you have, or plan, to take any equipment off-campus we would ask that you document this by completing this online form. Guidance on information security when working from home has also been created, which you can access here. IT have also issued a separate message about homeworking and IT equipment, which we would ask you to read. 

From the end of this week, most University buildings will be closed, and you will require permission from your Head of School or Director to access buildings on campus.  

Yesterday we told you about the reduction of many university services including the closure of libraries and catering facilities. In line with this we will now be suspending the 9U shuttle bus service from close of play today until further notice. In addition, The Rocking Horse Nursery and Aberdeen Sports Village have made the decision to close; the nursery from close of business today and ASV from 8pm on Friday 20 March. Please contact Aberdeen Sports Village directly with any queries about your membership.  

We will be building up our capacity to support the wellbeing of staff working at home. Further information on working from home is being developed and will be shared in the coming days.  

Graduation Ceremonies 

It is also with great sadness that we have decided to postpone the summer 2020 graduation ceremonies. This is not a decision that we have taken lightly, however the safety of our community must remain our first priority.  

This decision will not prevent students who have achieved all the requirements of their degree from having their degrees awarded in June. Students have been informed today of this decision, you can read the message that was sent to them here and more details will be shared as they are confirmed.  

Unfortunately, the uncertain duration of the COVID-19 pandemic means that we are not in a position to say when the postponed ceremonies will run. As soon as we can confirm this, we will update the whole community.  

Once again, we would like to thank all members of the University community for their ongoing support and patience. We know that this is a difficult time and that you have many questions. Please visit our FAQs which are being updated daily, and if you can’t find an answer there, email coronavirus@abdn.ac.uk  

Best wishes,  

George & Karl  

Professor George BoyneProfessor Karl Leydecker
Principal & Vice-Chancellor Chair Coronavirus Steering Group  
Senior Vice-Principal

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