Student Update: Covid-19 guidance, library opening hours over Easter and KEF

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).

Thank you for everything you are doing to ensure that our University and wider community stay as safe as possible.

This communication includes important information about Covid-19 guidance and testing. I would encourage you to read the update carefully and visit our dedicated Covid-19 webpages, which we keep updated with the latest guidance and information.  

This update covers: 

• Government roadmap – new guidance around socialising outdoors 
• Covid-19 safety on campus and testing 
• Staying safe in accommodation 
• Library Easter opening hours 
• Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF)  

A communication following the Prime Minister’s roadmap announcement on Easter Monday was sent by email to all students on Wednesday, 7 April, and can be found here: Student Update: Courses that have not yet been permitted to return to in person teaching on campusGovernment roadmap – new guidance around socialising outdoors 

In February, the Government set out a roadmap for the easing of lockdown restrictions in England. The 'Stay at Home' rule has now ended, but many restrictions remain in place. We all must continue to be vigilant in following Covid-19 restrictions, get tested when necessary and comply with the Covid safety measures that remain in place (hands, face, space and fresh air). If we all continue to play our part, we will be that bit closer to a more familiar future. 

From Monday, 29 March: 

• Outdoor gatherings (including in private gardens) of either six people (the Rule of 6) or two households are allowed, making it easier for friends and families to meet outside. On campus, this means students are now permitted to meet in outdoor spaces; however, everyone must maintain two metres social distancing at all times. Failure to comply with these measures may result in you being excluded from the campus.  
• Outdoor sports facilities such as tennis and basketball courts can reopen, and people can participate in formally organised outdoor sports. More information about the reopening of sports facilities on campus can be found here: www.wlv.ac.uk/gym.  

Access the full Government guidance 

Covid-19 safety and testing 

Everyone must continue to play their part in keeping our University community safe; this means following social distancing guidelines, wearing a face covering and taking part in regular testing.   

If you have returned to campus for in person teaching or are living in student accommodation, the Government states that you are expected to have two lateral flow (symptom free) tests a week. This is important because you may have the virus without knowing and inadvertently pass it on to your peers, friends and loved ones.  By taking part in regular testing, you will help us detect symptom free cases, stop the spread of the virus and protect our University community.   

Please visit the Testing webpage that includes the locations and booking arrangements for testing sites close to our campuses. Students can arrange to get a test using the facilities referenced on this webpage or somewhere local to them.     

Safety on campus guidelines  

As well as regular testing, there are specific actions that are crucial for everyone to adopt to keep our campuses and community as safe as possible:    

• Face coverings must be worn inside all University buildings, including practical learning spaces, libraries (study and PC areas), corridors, stairwells and teaching rooms.    
• Everyone must maintain two metres social distancing on campus both indoors and in outside spaces, including students who may live in a household bubble.    
• Follow hygiene procedures, including washing your hands regularly with soap and water and making use of sanitising stations where available.   
• Clean work and study spaces before and after use using the cleaning products provided.    
• Follow all on campus signage to safely move around buildings and learning spaces, including one-way systems, QR check in and closed workspaces.  
• Adhere to the isolation and reporting guidelines set out in our Covid-19 reporting procedures. If you are feeling unwell or experiencing Covid-19 symptoms, do not come on to campus.   

In line with Government guidance, everyone accessing catering facilities, libraries or outdoor sports facilities on campus must check in with the NHS Covid-19 app or provide their name and contact details. Anyone who does not comply will be refused entry.  

Providing the details of each person using these facilities will ensure that, if required, we are able to trace individuals who may have been a contact of a positive Covid-19 case. This will help reduce the risk of transmission of the virus on our campuses and ensure that the easing of lockdown restrictions can continue.  

It is your responsibility as a member of the University community to be aware and abide by these guidelines so that everyone can be safe.   

Visit our Safety on Campus webpage for more information. 

Staying safe in accommodation  

We expect our students to abide by Government guidelines whilst living in accommodation. This includes taking part in regular testing to help stop the spread of the virus.    

In line with the current restrictions, students should not bring other students, friends or family into their accommodation. Parties and overnight guests in accommodation are also strictly not permitted.   

In student accommodation, your 'household' is the people with whom you share a corridor and communal kitchen area. You must not hold house parties or visit other households – even if you're living in the same accommodation block.    

The Government has introduced a new £800 fine for those attending house parties, including in halls of residence and student accommodation, which will double for each repeat offence to a maximum level of £6,400.   

Outdoor gatherings (including in private gardens) of either six people (the Rule of 6) or two households are now allowed, making it easier for friends and families to meet outside.   

Failure to comply with these measures may result in you being excluded from the campus.  

Library Easter opening hours 

For students still on campus and in accommodation during the Easter break, our libraries at City and Walsall Campus will remain open for access to PCs and study spaces. The Hutchison Library at Telford Campus will be closed from Friday, 2 April, and reopen on Wednesday, 7 April.  

Harrison (City) Library and Walsall Library opening times: 

• Friday 2 April: 10 am – 4 pm 
• Saturday 3 April: 10 am – 4 pm 
• Sunday 4 April: Closed  
• Monday 5 April: 10 am - 4 pm 
• Tuesday 6 April: 10 am – 4 pm  
• Wednesday 7 April: return to normal opening hours from 9 am.  

Please be aware that book returns using the return boxes can be accessed as usual; however, click and collect and laptop loans will not be available during this time. All services will resume from Wednesday, 7 April.  

All students accessing library study spaces are expected to follow social distancing guidelines, and face coverings must be worn. 

Please ensure you bring your Student ID to access the library. You must book a study space in advance of travelling and show your booking confirmation to staff upon arrival. 

You can find more information and book a study space here. 

If you have any questions about the service or need help with access resources, support is available 24/7 via the online chat service ASSIST. 

Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF)  

The University has received significant recognition for its role in public and community engagement and local growth and regeneration. Research England's Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF) looks at the diverse contributions of universities to help level up their local areas. It looks at the performance of universities from different perspectives, including public and community engagement, working with partners ranging from big businesses to small local firms, and how they commercialise their research.  

I am pleased to share the good news that the University of Wolverhampton was identified in the top 10% nationally for public and community engagement and in the top 10% for local growth and regeneration. This is a tremendous achievement, and we are incredibly proud of the teams that have been involved in this important work.  Many students are involved in our community engagement work, especially through activities in schools and colleges, and I would like to thank you for your part in this success. 

Read more about the University's KEF success here. 

Stay up to date with the latest information 

Please keep checking your University WLV emails and reading these updates. We are committed to keeping students up to date. We do this by email, on our social media channels (Instagram,  Twitter and Facebook) and the University student news web page.  

Visit our dedicated Covid-19 webpages for information on how you can stay safe and help protect our University community during the pandemic.   

Thank you, and stay safe. 

Professor Julia Clarke  

Deputy Vice-Chancellor