Student update - July 1 2020
Dear student,
We hope that you are staying well during these challenging times following what was a truly unprecedented academic year. You should be proud of what you have achieved in these most difficult of circumstances.
You may recall our message of Monday June 1 where we outlined our preparations for the academic session 2020/21, and we are continuing to develop the plans and procedures that will ensure we will be ready for your return to studies in September. As outlined, this will take the form of blended learning - involving a mix of face-to-face teaching on campus, wherever that is possible and safe, as well as online learning where teaching cannot yet be in person. If you are one of our students in Qatar, you will soon hear separately about plans for the new academic year.
Our plans and procedures are continually evolving in line with the latest national guidance – with your health, safety and wellbeing being at the centre of everything we are working towards.
Last week’s announcement by the Scottish Government regarding the move to Phase 2 of its route map has provided greater clarity that is helping us make essential preparations to welcome you back.
Much still depends on the progress Scotland and the wider UK is making in suppressing Covid-19, but at this point we are on a clear path towards Phase 3 of the Scottish Government’s route map, allowing for a phased return to campus with our blended learning model in place. Indeed, Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has indicated that Scotland is ‘not far away’ from eliminating coronavirus.
In terms of practical activities, the move to Phase 2 means that more staff can now return to campus in order to ready our buildings in preparation the new academic session, and to prepare teaching materials for online and on-campus delivery.
It also means that Scottish-based students seeking to move out of student accommodation or students seeking to return to accommodation to collect belongings can do so - please email hillheadstudentvillage@abdn.ac.uk and staff will assist you in making the necessary arrangements. Further information, including advice for students not resident in Scotland, is available here.
Meanwhile, students who have been unable to return books can now do so, to the Sir Duncan Rice Library (regardless of which University library the book was borrowed from), by using your ID card to access the library external book drop. For those who do not have a functioning card, arrangements for return can be made by contacting libnotice@abdn.ac.uk
The move to Phase 2 also means that non-office-based workplaces including lab and research facilities can resume, with on-campus university research also restarting subject to physical distancing.
These are very helpful developments and will guide us in planning of our wider phased return. Of course, many of our key workers have been on campus throughout lockdown, and their efforts include the continued support for around 400 students who are still in our halls of residence.
Please be assured that there is a significant amount of work underway to bring our campus back into operation. This includes the preparation of all areas of our estate including teaching spaces, library facilities, student accommodation, research facilities, and key social areas including cafes, food service areas and shops, in line with the latest government guidance on physical distancing and with the provision of enhanced hygiene facilities a key consideration.
For international students returning to Aberdeen, you may be interested in a recent letter from the UK and Scottish Governments that provides reassurances as to the approach being taken to welcome international students to the UK, providing advice on various matters including advice on the New Graduate Route for international students and quarantine arrangements.
As a University we continue to provide the latest advice and guidance through our Covid-19 web pages, and we are working to support international students who may be required to self-isolate on arrival in the UK, if current UK government guidelines requiring a 14-day quarantine period remain in place.
We hope this email has answered some of your questions, but if you have any further questions please feel free to email coronavirus@abdn.ac.uk. The University is currently developing a range of Campus Commitments to help our student community understand the support and procedures we will have in place to ensure a safe and enjoyable campus experience for everyone.
We continue to look forward to welcoming you back for the new academic year, and promise to stay in touch on what you can expect from your experience, including information and support so you are ready for blended learning. In the meantime, please take care.
Best wishes
Ruth and Karl
Professor Ruth Taylor
Vice-Principal (Education)
Professor Karl Leydecker
Senior Vice-Principal