Planning for Christmas

Read a message from Claire Morgan, the Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students sent today (11 November) regarding the University’s plans for the Christmas period.

Dear Student

I hope this email finds you well. However, if you are facing any challenges relating to your studies or your health and wellbeing, please do make use of the support available.

Following today’s update from the Welsh Government regarding the Christmas break, I’m writing to you with initial details as to how we are preparing for this period. Our aim is to ensure that, if you choose to, you can return home safely, understanding your coronavirus (COVID-19) risks and how to minimise them.

We are working to confirm:

• How our asymptomatic screening service can be used by students who want to take a  coronavirus (COVID-19) test before travelling home
   
• Which courses or years of study can continue online if students wish to leave before the end of term
   
• The support measures we will have in place over the Christmas and New Year break for students that remain in Cardiff.

Our campus remains coronavirus (COVID-19) secure. Libraries will remain open and we already know that there are likely to be several programmes that will continue to deliver in-person teaching activities for the last few weeks of term (likely examples include some clinical and laboratory provision, and for those Postgraduate taught programmes which commenced in November).

We are working closely with Schools to confirm which option(s) will be available to you, depending on your course or level of study, and will be back in touch with another update via Student News shortly.   

In the meantime:

• If you want to get home for Christmas without putting others at risk it’s critical you keep your contact with others to a minimum, stick to the safety measures and follow the guidance. I’m afraid this continues to mean no parties and avoiding large gatherings. The new, post-firebreak Welsh Government guidance came into effect this week, and as per our University community commitment you should be familiar with it.
   
• You should be aware the ‘Christmas rush’ will look very different this year, and when appropriate you should plan your journey carefully. Welsh Government guidance on travelling safely is already available, including sharing a car with other students. Remember coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance can vary, so make sure you’re aware of the rules at your destination. 
• We continue to publish our daily cases online – and am pleased to see the number of cases among our students falling. However, please remember if you are suffering from coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms, or receive a positive screening service result, you should self-isolate and apply for an NHS Wales coronavirus (COVID-19) test. Please read our support pages for students self-isolating. 

Finally, in case you missed the Q&A session the Vice-Chancellor and I attended with the Students’ Union, you can watch the recording. It was great to hear your feedback, and for us to be able to give you answers to the questions you have. My thanks again to everyone who attended and took part.

Best wishes,

Claire Morgan
Pro Vice-Chancellor, Education and Students