A message from Professor Mark E. Smith, President and Vice-Chancellor:
The Government yesterday moved from “contain” to “delay” phase in its handling of the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, and the national risk level has been raised from Moderate to High. Apart from increased guidance around self-isolation in the event of a fever and a cough, there were no immediate implications for educational institutions.
At yesterday’s meeting of the University’s Business Continuity Committee we have made the pragmatic decision to bring forward by one week the end of this current term to the end of today Friday 13 March 2020. We will keep any impact to the absolute minimum and ensure all students can successfully complete their term’s learning. No teaching will take place next week, but the University will remain fully open and operational in line with current Government advice, apart from the planned University closure days around Easter.
Colleagues will be working hard during the student vacation to put plans in place to support the immediate needs and future opportunities for delivering our teaching and learning, and to ensuring our final year undergraduate and postgraduate students can successfully complete their studies at Southampton.
We are planning for the summer term to start on Monday 20 April 2020 and look forward to seeing our students return on that date, unless we inform them of any change.
We have also made some other changes to our normal working practices:
- We are postponing with immediate effect all international and UK field trips for the next six weeks.
- There will be no international staff travel on University business, unless demonstrated to be essential and an approved risk assessment is in place.
- We will be asking people to think very carefully about their UK travel on University business, and their method of travel.
- The offer holder visit day on campus on Saturday 28 March will be cancelled, and all conferences to be held at the University during the Easter vacation are to be cancelled. This will also enable us to ensure residences are available for students staying with us during this period.
- Summer graduations are being postponed until further notice, so that we have a longer academic year in which to ensure the successful completion of our students’ education.
- A new staff absence hotline will launch on Monday to enable colleagues to quickly and easily inform the University if they are unwell or self-isolating. Details will be circulated separately.
Our next daily update will be on Monday morning at 10:00.
Best wishes,
Mark
Mark E. Smith
President and Vice-Chancellor