Exeter Uni tells students to stay at home until further notice

An email to students from the University of Exeter registrar has told them to stay home and not travel back to campus if they have gone home during the Christmas break.

It also outlines measures for teaching and assessment mentioning that university teaching must remain online until at least mid-February for most students.

The only exceptions to this are: Final year undergraduate students requiring access to specialist facilities for projects in order to meet PSRB requirements in Physics, Engineering, Geology and Camborne School of Mines (and then only for project work), BMBS , medical imaging and nursing students, and PGCE students undertaking Initial Teacher Training (currently on placements).

The e-mail read that all other students will study online and the government’s advice for the students is to not travel to university or term-time accommodations. The students who are already at the university should remain in place and not travel away.

“The government are advising you not to travel to prevent further transmission of the virus across the country which would put us all at greater risk. By remaining where you are, you are helping to protect each other and to bring the COVID-19 pandemic under control” said Mike Shore-Nye, registrar at Exeter Uni.

However, students may return to campus to access study spaces and support if they are: International students who have remained in the UK or those who have arrived and do not have alternative accommodation, students without access to appropriate study spaces or facilities in their vacation accommodation, Students who have remained in their university accommodation over the winter break, those requiring additional support, including those with mental health issues.

Exeter Uni will be releasing marks one week later than previously scheduled for coursework due to be returned this week and in the week commencing 11^th January. They will also be releasing January examination marks to students a week later than originally planned (the revised date is Thursday 18^th February 2021).

All sports facilities and services are closed in line with the new guidelines, however online fitness classes and virtual club activity will continue.

The Registrar closed his statement saying: “There is a great deal that we can do as a University of Exeter community, even if many of us are apart. This begins by ensuring that we all strictly observe the new guidance, as well as continuing to practice important hygiene measures such as washing hands, covering faces and giving space to others. Please continue to look after yourselves and those around you wherever you are, and together we can play our part in keeping each other safe”.

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