Keele's Coronavirus Updates

Since there may be prospective students at Keele, parents, or others wondering what the university is doing in respect to the covid-19 situation; I thought it might be good to provide some of the Vice Chancellor's updates into a thread.

@Keele Student Ambassador @Keele Student Ambassador1 @Keele University feel free to join in. :smile:

Any questions, just post them below.

N.B. I am not a representative of Keele. :nope:

The other accounts are. :yy:

Reply 1

04MR17

Volunteer Section Leader

Updates so far:

- Face to face teaching to begin. Some programmes have already started with this, other are expected to do so from next week.

- Students are encouraged to go home if they are able.

- Students on campus must sign in using the SafeZone app.

- Catering outlets will be shutting down very soon. CostCutter will remain open for the foreseeable future.

- KeeleSU building will be completely closed from Friday at 2pm. Staff where possible are working from home.

- The library has brought their reduced hours for Easter earlier.

In today's email:
We hope to be able to provide an initial update on what the impact of the cancellation of A-Level examinations will be on the admissions process tomorrow, following discussions planned with UUK and the sector today. We are also starting to make plans for a Virtual Offer Holder Day in April, and to also ensure that applicants with specific questions can be contacted to discuss them.

Keele University

Keele

Reply 2

04MR17

Volunteer Section Leader

Latest from the VC, including specifics on Nursing students:

Providing operational staff with a break and a free hot meal

From Monday 23rd March, the University will be providing operational staff working on campus with the opportunity to have a break from their duties and have a free hot meal in the main refectory. This will be managed on a phased basis to enable an appropriate level of social distancing. Line managers will communicate this to staff today.

Students self-isolating

If you are a student who is self-isolating in a campus Hall of Residence, could you please let the University know by completing the online form, and indicate whether you need any contact or help from the University.

Nursery

The list of key workers whose children will continue to have access to schools and nurseries was released by government overnight and is more extensive than was originally predicted, though it should be noted that the provision should only be taken up where there are no other alternatives, as every child who can be safely cared for at home should be. Staff in the nursery are working directly with parents and carers who use the service now that the list has been published.

Graduation

It has become clear that it will not be possible to proceed with Graduation ceremonies in July and so we have therefore taken the decision to postpone Graduation ceremonies for the time-being. At this stage we do not know when the rescheduled Graduation ceremonies will take place, but please be assured that we will notify graduands of our intentions in this regard as soon as we are able.

Accommodation and tuition fees

We are aiming to respond to student questions around accommodation fees if social distancing measures prevent a return to their room on campus. We continue to provide tuition via online and other methods, assessment will still take place, and students will progress into their next year or graduate.

Reply 3

04MR17

Volunteer Section Leader

Keele Libraries will now be closed from the end of today.

Students on clinical placements will be withdrawn.

Reply 4

Keele University

Some members of Keele's Senior Management Team recently answered staff and student questions about Covid-19 and provided more details about what campus life will look like come September.

You can find a link to the live video Q&A as well as answers to the questions at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/coronavirus/covid-19yourquestionsanswered/

There are also FAQs for Keele applicants, as well as full details of Keele's current Covid-19 operational plan available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/coronavirus/

Hope this helps!

Amy :smile: