Student Update: Latest Covid-19 Restrictions, WLV Welcome and Support for Disabled Students

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).

This week marks the start of our WLV Welcome activities, and we are delighted to welcome new and returning students.

Teaching will commence for most undergraduate students on Monday, 28 September 2020 and most postgraduate programmes will be starting slightly later from Monday, 26 October 2020 (this has been earlier for some courses).

As you will appreciate, the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic will mean that this year's Welcome will be different. We remain committed to ensuring that you have the best learning experience possible, but we need to place the safety of students and staff at the heart of everything we do.

This means that there will be strict social distancing measures and other controls on our campuses, such as the wearing of face-masks in communal areas, which are in line with local and UK Government requirements. It is your responsibility as a member of the University community to be aware and abide by these so that we are all safe.

Covid 19: Latest restrictions 

With rates of Covid-19 increasing both locally and nationally in recent weeks, the Government has announced that:

• From today (Thursday), all pubs, bars and restaurants must operate a table service only, except for takeaways. Together with all hospitality venues, they must close at 10 pm. Deliveries can continue after 10 pm.
• Face coverings must be worn by staff working in retail, people in taxis and private hire vehicles and staff and customers in pubs and restaurants, except for customers seated at a table to eat or drink.
• Fines for not wearing a face covering where required will now double to £200 for a first offence. The only exception is where someone is exempt, for instance on the grounds of medical reasons.
• The 'rule of six' will be extended to all adult indoor team sports.

In addition, people in Wolverhampton remain subject to local measures which came into effect on Tuesday after the city became an area of national intervention last week. These local restrictions mean:

• You must not allow people you don't live with or who are not part of your support bubble into your home or garden.
• You must not visit people you do not live with or who are not part of your support bubble in their home or garden, in Wolverhampton or elsewhere.
• People can only come into your home or garden for specific purposes set out in law (see the guidance for further details).

Students living in University accommodation are treated as a shared household and will be placed into “bubble” groups. Students should not bring other students/friends/family into their accommodation and should meet outside of their housing if they wish to socialise. This means that parties are not currently allowed and you should not have any overnight guests during the pandemic. 

Staying Safe in Accommodation

Latest Government Guidance

What's Open on Campus

We are now in Phase 3 of our Road to Reopening @WLV, which means a large number of building and facilities have reopened including libraries and catering outlets.

For the latest information of what is open on our campuses visit the 'What's Open' page on our website.

Please keep in mind that students should only travel to University campuses for their scheduled teaching. Please check your personal timetable in the myWLV app before planning your journey.

Access our What's Open page here

WLV Welcome

WLV Welcome and induction activities have now started, once you have enrolled and registered for your modules this year, you will be able to view the WLV Welcome Topic in Canvas.

Here you will be able to access the induction programme from your Faculty, as well as:

• Welcome video from our Vice-Chancellor, Professor Geoff Layer
• Health and safety information for when you are back on-campus
• Advice and guidance on engaging with blended learning
• Information on how to access support services

If you haven't already done so, you should also download the myWLV app which will give you access to your personalised calendar and timetable once it is ready, including any social events taking place during the year.

You must engage with welcome and induction activities, both online and on-campus. It will introduce you to your course for this year, and what is expected in blended learning.

You will need to familiarise yourself with the health and safety and social distancing guidelines for our campuses. It is your responsibility as a member of the University community to aware and abide by these guidelines so that everyone can be safe.

Access the WLV Welcome topic in Canvas here

WLV Welcome Events

Following new national and local guidance from the Government, we have decided to move all physical WLV Welcome social activities online. This refers only to social activities and is across all three campuses. Educational activities, including on-campus inductions, will go ahead as planned – with the social distancing and good hygiene measures in place that our teams have been working hard to introduce across our sites.

You can join us on a variety of online activities over the coming weeks to help you settle in. These special virtual events are your opportunity to learn new things and discover what the University of Wolverhampton has to offer. This includes introductory academic skills workshops, Q&A sessions with the Disability and Funding team, and opportunities to meet the Careers and Enterprise team.

WLV Welcome Events

Support for Disabled Students

The University of Wolverhampton is an inclusive institution, working to meet the individual needs of our students. The Student Support & Wellbeing Team can talk to you about additional support that may be available, including considerate marking, exam arrangements and strategies to support your learning.

You may also be eligible to receive additional funding known as the Disabled Students' Allowances (DSA) to help cover the costs of any additional support you may need to access your course. You should begin the process of applying for your DSA as soon as possible, and more information can be found here.

You can also book to join an online Q&A event with the Disability team:

• Disability Meet and Q&A Session: Friday 25 September 2020, 10 am - 11 am

You can contact the Disability Support Team by email: ssw@wlv.ac.uk

Students who have Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) approved Non-Medical Helper Support reminder:

If you receive, DSA approved Non-Medical Helper Support you will need to contact your provider directly to book your support.  Your provider details can be found in your DSA letter.

Students who cannot return to campus

We recognise that not all students will be able to return to campus straight away and where possible, we will make on-campus teaching also available online. For example, students who are in quarantine, have caring responsibilities or have concerns about returning to campus, may be able to attend an online version of a seminar, access a recording or view live streaming of a session delivered on campus.  If this applies to you, please contact your Faculty Student Services via the e:Vision Helpdesk to see if you can study entirely online.

Library Update

The way to request books from the Library has changed. You now need to request any available item via Library Search and select which campus you would like to collect it. You'll receive a confirmation email, and then you can come along to the Library Helpdesk to collect your items. There's no need to make an appointment! Don't forget to wear your face covering and follow the social distancing rules when you collect.   

You can find more information on the Library's website here: wlv.ac.uk/lib/reopening.  

If you want to visit the Library to use study spaces and PCs, you will still need to book a slot in advance, as before.

From Monday, 28 September opening times will extend, with study spaces available to book during evenings and Saturdays at City and Walsall libraries. 

Road to Reopening @WLV

In July this year, we launched our Road to Reopening @WLV, which outlined our approach to the managed reopening of the University facilities. We understand that in these uncertain times, you may have a lot of questions about what life at the University of Wolverhampton will be like this semester. We have tried to bring together all the relevant information you need, as well as answer any questions you might have, to help you feel prepared and ready to return to studies.

As part of the Road to Reopening, you'll also find FAQs relating to Life on Campus, your Learning and Teaching and Student Support, Health and Wellbeing.

Access our Road to Reopening @WLV and FAQs here

Where you can find more information

We are committed to keeping students up to date, and we do this by email, on our social media channels (Instagram, Twitter and Facebook) and the University Student News web page.

Thank you, and all the best for the new academic year

Julia Clarke

Deputy Vice-Chancellor