Student Update:Road to Reopening @WLV - Library Study Spaces, Health Skills Labs and the Walsall Gym

Please be aware that this information was shared with students by email and correct at the time of sending. For the latest Covid-19 guidance, please visit our coronavirus webpages: www.wlv.ac.uk/coronavirus. If you are a student who has a query or needs support, please log a helpcall with ASK@WLV in e:Vision (www.wlv.ac.uk/evision).

We look forward to welcoming students back to the University of Wolverhampton in the new academic year and we are working hard to prepare our buildings and facilities for your safe return to campus from September.

I am pleased to now be able to update you on the reopening of key facilities at the University, including:

• Library study spaces
• Institute of Health Skills Labs
• Walsall Gym and Sports facilities

You can find out more information about our plans for the safe and managed reopening of our campuses on our dedicated Road to Reopening @WLV webpage.

Library Study Spaces

Since 27 July Harrison Library on the City campus and the Walsall Library have been offering a click and collect service for print resources. It has been fantastic to see students accessing this service safely whilst observing the social distancing instructions that are in place.

From Monday 10 August we will be opening a small number of bookable study spaces in our Harrison Library at City Campus.

Study spaces will include PCs, and single study spaces which do not have a PC but are located close to a power socket if you wish to bring your own laptop.

Slots will be available to book Monday to Friday, 10 – 12 pm or 1 – 3 pm. 

All students accessing study spaces will be expected to follow social distancing guidelines and, in-line with the latest advice from the UK Government, face coverings will need to be worn.

You must book a study space in advance of travelling to the campus, there are no drop in study spaces available at this time.

To book a study space, you will need to use the online Library booking system from Monday 10 August, more information can be found here: www.wlv.ac.uk/lib

We will continue to offer the click and collect service for students to access print resources and return books, and study spaces will be available to book at Walsall Library soon. Library facilities at our Telford Campus are being prepared for safe reopening, and we anticipate click and collect and study spaces will be available to students later this month.

If you have any problems accessing e-resources or you need support to find and use them, please contact the Library team by ASSIST online chat.  

You can also keep up-to-date with future developments through our Library social media channels, on Facebook and Instagram.

Institute of Health Skills Labs

In August there will be a limited number of students returning to campus who are studying professional courses in the Institute of Health. These students will need to undertake mandatory training in our skills labs before they can return on their placements.

Our team has completed a comprehensive risk assessment to ensure the safe and managed return to the skills labs. Students will be issued with a specific time and date to attend.  For students using the health skills labs, because of the nature of the activity, PPE (personal protective equipment) will be provided and temperature checks will be taken on arrival.

Social distancing guidelines must be observed whilst on-campus, with everybody following the instructions for moving around the campus and our buildings.

Further updates will be provided to those students involved by their programme team through Canvas.

Gym and Sports Facilities at Walsall Campus

In line with the gradual easing of lockdown guidelines from the UK Government, we are pleased to announce that sports facilities at Walsall Campus will reopen from Monday 10 August. Opening hours will be; Monday to Friday 7:30 am to 10 pm, and 8 am to 6 pm on weekends.  Please be aware that the swimming pool will not be reopening. 

Members and non-members can book up to two sessions per day (gym sessions or exercise classes) by calling 01902 518900 within our opening times. Members can make bookings up to 8 days in advance and non-members can make bookings up to 7 days in advance. 

The safety and wellbeing of our students, staff and local community customers remain our highest priority and work has been carried out to ensure that the gym and sports facilities meet all relevant guidance to ensure your safety.

Given the small size of the City Campus gym it is not possible at present to implement social distancing measures that meet safety requirements.  An update will be issued to students and customers of the gym should this change.

More information on how WLV Sport is preparing for the reopening of sports facilities will be available on their webpage from Monday 10 August.

You can also contact WLV Sport by email: gym@wlv.ac.uk and keep up-to-date via their social media channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Thank you, and stay safe.

Professor Julia Clarke

Deputy Vice-Chancellor