We recognise that the new academic year will be unpredictable. None of us knows quite what to expect, and there are many things beyond the control of each of us as individuals, and beyond the control of the College and the University.

Freshers, you will not have the same experience of Welcome Week that you expected when you were first offered their place. Returning students, you will not have the same experience of College life as you had last year, before things changed very quickly in March. These are uncertain times. So it’s only natural and expected that many of us may be anxious or apprehensive about what will happen next.

The good news is that we’ve been working hard to make sure that we have plans and people in place to provide support for students as you live and study here this year.

Tutors are ready to teach, and the staff in the Domestic Bursary are ready to support students in their accommodation. We have increased the number of dining areas, and the times when meals are served, so that you can eat in a socially-distanced way. Many activities will be online, but we have erected marquees in the quads so that there is covered outdoor space where you can meet other people. A series of quick reference guides will help you to focus on the key things that you need to know and to do so that together we maintain a COVID-secure environment for everyone who lives and works at Univ.

Members of the Welfare team are all on hand, and available to meet students face-to-face or online, should anyone have particular concerns or questions that they’d like to address. Our contact details are here, and much more detailed information about welfare support is available on the intranet (SSO required).

We look forward to welcoming new students to Univ, and we look forward to welcoming back those who are continuing their degrees. We hope that everyone who comes here in 2020 will flourish, and we’re taking active steps to support the best student experience that we reasonably can.

Andrew Gregory, Chaplain and Welfare Fellow

Comprehensive documentation and information relating to COVID-19 and the measures put in place by College can be found on our Intranet.

Published: 14 September 2020

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