We are welcoming staff to return to campus gradually from next week in line with Government guidance, now that most Covid-19 restrictions have been eased.
The gradual return is an important phase in becoming more familiar with being back on campus - if only for one or two days a week - and get used to working with colleagues in normal surroundings as we move towards a full return for the start of the new academic year. Read our return to campus guidance.
The measures we have in place
Our priority remains the safety of our staff and our students and we are guided by health and safety considerations and the latest Government advice.
We’re also listening to you. Having sought the views of staff in a recent questionnaire about returning to campus, the University will ensure that a number of health and safety measures are in place to manage the Covid-19 pandemic by the start of term:
- refreshed signage in high footfall spaces that face coverings are expected from 9 – 5pm
- sanitiser stations in place across campus
- Perspex screens remaining in place where requested
- additional bins in teaching spaces
- QR codes to support the Track & Trace app
- ensuring ventilation systems and windows operate effectively
- the provision of lanyards or wristbands so staff can signal they’d prefer greater social distancing
Covid-19 testing will be available on campus at Bramber level 1 throughout September, and staff and students will continue to be able to collect home testing kits from several campus locations.
The University will continue to strongly encourage students to be fully vaccinated and will also provide further pop-up vaccination centres, following the high take up of vaccinations at the pop-up centre hosted on campus before the end of term.
While the Government has confirmed that the requirement to wear face coverings has now been lifted, there is an expectation and recommendation that they are worn in crowded spaces, such as public transport – and new signage will make it clear that this is the University’s expectation in busy areas across campus too.
To make sure staff are familiar with all our Covid measures and the new Remote Working Framework, we'll also soon be in touch with details of webinars taking place in August and September allowing you to ask senior managers all the questions you may have.
Video: staff reflect on coming back to campus
Your views on returning to campus
More than 1,200 staff recently completed a questionnaire about returning to campus. Respondents were a representative mix of academic and professional services staff, and nearly two thirds said they worked in-person with students.
When we asked what Covid-19 measures people wanted to see most on their return, the most popular were: sanitiser stations; easy access to testing; additional cleaning; clear routes to report concerns; and wrist bands/lanyards to signal a need for greater social distancing.
We also asked staff to suggest measures they'd like to see. We received more than 300 responses, including: wearing face coverings in indoor spaces; improved ventilation; the flexibility to work remotely; sufficient public transport to reduce overcrowding; and vaccinated staff and students.
The University will continue to examine the results of the questionnaire closely and the measures it puts in place to manage the Covid-19 pandemic will be informed by the views of its staff and students.
A revised Community Pledge
In the survey, several staff also said that they wanted colleagues to show due consideration towards others. It's with this in mind that the University will soon invite staff and students to sign up to a revised Community Pledge that reinforces the values of our University in the current circumstances.
Please remember to read our suggestions for ways to reconnect with campus and your teams - including coffee and a cuppa events at the ACCA from now to September. We look forward to seeing you on campus soon.