Coronavirus message for students: Tuesday, 17 March 2020 PM

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).

Dear students,

The health and wellbeing of our students and staff remains the University’s top priority. Following the Prime Minister’s briefing at 5pm yesterday, Monday 16 March, the University has postponed all face-to-face teaching until further notice.

We understand you will have many questions about what this means for students on your programme.  Your Head of School or Institute will be sending out a further message to you this evening with some further information about updates that you can expect to receive in the next few days with regard to teaching, assessment information, placement advice and support.

We have gathered some of the more general questions below that have been raised in response to yesterday’s announcement:

1. How long will the postponement of face-to-face teaching last?
2. The University is basing its response on the Government’s advice which is that all social contact should be minimised. There will be no face-to-face teaching for the remainder of this term which ends on Friday 27 March 2020.  We will update for what will happen after the Easter break as soon as we able to. 
3. Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing students: 01902 518800
4. Faculty of Science and Engineering students: 01902 322129
5. Faculty of Arts, Business and Social Science students: 01902 321789

Q. Will assessments be postponed/cancelled?
A. We are currently looking at how we manage upcoming assessments.  Where there are any face-to-face assessments planned before the Easter break, your programme leader will be in contact with you. 

Q. Will the libraries be open?
A. At the moment we are planning to have the libraries open but with restricted times and limited staffing. The exception to this is Burton which will be closed from Wednesday.  We remind you of the Government advice to minimise travel and social interaction and therefore you should carefully consider whether you need to come in.

Q. Will the University buses still be running?
A. At the moment we are planning that the buses will continue for this week with the existing timetable and will then be revised to fit with building opening hours. However, the Prime Minister’s advice yesterday did recommend against non-essential travel and so we would urge everyone to consider whether their journey is needed.

Q. Are all buildings staying open?
A. Not all buildings will continue to be in use and we will identify which buildings will be available this week.

Q. What is happening with placements?
A..  We are seeking general guidance as well as specific subject and professional guidance, which will come from the University’s academic schools and institutes. 

Communications

We will keep students regularly up to date through the University’s social media channels (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter), Canvas, my WLV and the University’s dedicated webpage: www.wlv.ac.uk/coronavirus

In the first instance, the University’s website is the best place to visit for the most up to date information and the daily student messages are being uploaded to the main Coronavirus webpage. There is a series of Frequently Asked Questions which are being regularly updated. There are sections providing advice for staff and students, as well as prevention, travel advice and general information.

If however, you have a specific question which is not covered on here or is not answered by the subject specific message that you will receive this evening, you can contact your Faculty Student Services number:

University gyms

The University gyms at Walsall and City will be closed by close of play tomorrow, Wednesday.

International students

Until advised otherwise, international students on a Tier IV visa will not need to have their attendance card signed, and should not attend any checkpoints. You should continue to engage with your studies through Canvas, and check your University emails and other communications channels regularly (social media, Canvas, my WLV) for updates. 

General advice

Visit NHS 111 Online for the latest health guidance. This includes the latest advice and guidance about the symptoms and what to do if you think you may have Coronavirus.

Public Health England is regularly publishing information, advice and guidance on Coronavirus. This includes the latest travel information.

The University has a dedicated webpage: www.wlv.ac.uk/coronavirus and a series of Frequently Asked Questions which are regularly updated.