From: Dan Todman

 

Hello fellow historian,

 

I hope this finds you well. You will have seen the news I am sure about the spread of the Omicron variant and its heightened transmissibility, and the government’s response in implementing increased restrictions including mask wearing, working from home and covid passports. You will have got this afternoon an email from the Principal, which explains how these measures apply to the university. I am copying it below my signature, but in short, we keep going as we are. Nonetheless I know that for some students and staff this will be a time of heightened uncertainty and worry, and at a time when everyone has been worn down by the last two years of the pandemic. So, I would like us to do three things as a School to try to look after everyone in the last eight days of the semester.

First, keep up the good work. 

I have been so impressed at the commitment History students have shown to keeping everyone safe this semester – getting vaccinated, testing regularly, isolating when necessary and wearing face coverings when asked to do so. I applaud you if you have done all these things. I know that keeping up these routine measures is boring and frustrating, but let’s please make an extra effort to stick with them right through to the end of the semester. If you can wear a face covering, please bring one with you so that you can wear it while moving around indoors on campus or if asked by a member of staff. 

 

Second, everyone’s tired – be kind to yourself.

We will all have deadlines, work, and responsibilities that can’t be put off, but I would like everyone please to try to find 10 minutes a day for doing something that makes you feel well. This will mean not doing something else, or doing it less well, and that is all right. I would rather you did ten minutes less preparation for seminars or reading for an essay and did something that helps you preserve your energy in the medium and long term. The academic year is a marathon, not a sprint. Different things will work for different people: I know for myself at this time of year I need to take every opportunity I can to be outside in daylight, so I will be going for a walk around the block. Rosie, the QMSU School Rep, recommends taking a nap.

 

Third, plan ahead to allow yourself a winter break. 

I know that not everyone will be able to have a rest when the semester ends – whether because of January assessment deadlines, paid work or family responsibilities. But this is a time when all of our focus should shift and the closure of the university makes it possible to concentrate on other things. Many second or third years I know will not have had a proper break last summer as they completed work for deadlines extended from the spring – if this is you, you definitely deserve and need one now! I know too how hard first years have been working to adapt to university life. It is a big change and you should take some time to recover. Staff too need a chance for a rest to regenerate so that they can keep up their extraordinary teaching efforts in the second semester.

 

The university will be closed from 22 December to 3 January – this includes the History School Office – and all History staff will be on leave during this time. You can find out more about other University services during the closure period via this site – the library is open up to the 24^th and open again from the 29^th December for example. The same page gives advice about help in a crisis, stress and wellbeing and campus services. If you need to contact staff about assessments due after the closure period, you need to plan ahead and do so before the end of the semester or after we re-open – they will not be able to reply to email while they are on leave. If you need an extension to a January deadline for a HST module, due to unexpected extenuating circumstances, you can apply for one via the link on the QMPlus History Landing Page Quick Links section here. The FAQs sheet at the same link explain what Extenuating Circumstances are. Extension requests will not be processed during the closure period, but don’t worry, they will be processed as soon as the University re-opens.

 

Please do try and do all three of these things over the next eight days. I will be recommending to staff that they do the same. Above all please do take care of yourselves and have confidence that while the current situation with the pandemic is unsettling, things will be better in the future. The School will get there like we got here, together.

 

Best regards

 

Dan

 

Coronavirus email from the Principal 

 

Dear student,

 

I hope this email finds you well, and you are enjoying your time at Queen Mary. If you have any questions or concerns, please remember your Advisor is your first port of call.

 

New government guidance for universities: no change to your educational experience

 

Yesterday, the Government announced some new measures to slow the spread of the new Covid-19 variant. These measures are precautionary: scientists are still studying the new variant and its impact. Universities have now been issued with further guidance under these new measures.

 

I’m writing to reassure you that under the new government guidance, face-to-face teaching and research can continue. This means there will be no impact on your educational experience at Queen Mary, and you should continue to come to our campuses for your face-to-face educational activities, to study and to engage in research as needed for your course. All our student support services, our libraries, study spaces, University-run cafes etc and our residences will remain fully open as they are now.

 

Face covering policy

 

There is no further change needed to our face covering policy. Please do wear a face covering when walking around in our buildings in corridors, communal areas, stairwells and in lifts. You will also need a face covering if using public transport and in shops, and in some other public areas. Visit the gov.uk website for further information.

 

Social activities

 

Bars and restaurants can remain open under the new guidance, and sporting activities can also continue. We are waiting for further guidance on running large events. Please keep an eye on our calendar of activities for the latest updates.

 

Travel guidance

 

There is no extra guidance beyond the restrictions currently in place.

 

Lateral flow testing

 

Everyone should aim to take a lateral flow test at least twice a week. Home test kits are available from our campuses. The new guidance advises that students travelling at the Christmas break should take a test before they go, and before they return. Please remember to register the result of the test with the NHS, even if it’s negative.

 

I realise we are once again living in uncertain times. Please be reassured that the number of cases of Covid-19 among our communities and in the local area remains very low. The single most important thing we can all do to keep safe is get vaccinated. If you have not yet been vaccinated please go and get a jab! We are hosting a vaccination centre on our Mile End campus, which can be used by students, staff and the general public. You can either book via the NHS or simply attend as a drop-in. If you have had one jab, please do make sure you get your second, and also book for your booster jab as soon as you are eligible.

 

If you have any questions, please contact your Advisor, the Student Enquiry Centre or of course you can contact me at the address below.

 

I will write to you again when I have a further update.

Best wishes,

 

Colin

 

Professor Colin Bailey, CBE, FREng, BEng, PhD, CEng, FICE, FIStructE, MIFireE

President and Principal | Queen Mary University of London | Mile End Road | London | E1 4NS