Dear all,
On Saturday, the Prime Minister outlined in a public address a series of National Restrictions which will affect all of us from Thursday 5 November until Wednesday 2 December, as we go about our daily lives.
Last night we received a letter from the Minister of State for Universities confirming that universities should remain open. St George’s will continue to operate as it has been, as we have done careful planning to maintain safe operations and have continued to adapt to align with the latest guidance. This means:
- The University will continue to provide services which are essential to continuing research and education, including the relevant educational facilities to students.
- All on-site skills-based teaching which is scheduled during this period will continue as planned.
- Staff who deliver these essential services and who cannot do their jobs from home will be expected to continue to work on site. Measures to ensure the site is Covid secure will continue to be in place.
- Research staff should continue to conduct and supervise research onsite; however, work which can be done effectively at home, such as writing up, should be done at home.
- For other staff, any work which can be done effectively at home should be done at home.
- Staff should minimise use of public transport as far as possible; if it is necessary to use public transport, face coverings are mandatory and staff should try to arrange work so that travel can be at off-peak times.
- While the Government’s furlough scheme has been extended, the University is clear that furloughing would be a last resort at this time.
We have shared guidance with students, emphasising in particular the requirement for them to remain at their term-time address. Read the message sent earlier to students here.
You have all already shown great resilience and fortitude through the most challenging time for St George’s - indeed, perhaps during our careers – which many of us will have experienced.
I want to take this opportunity to thank you all again for everything you have contributed so far to ensuring the University continues to play a vital role in tackling the pandemic, whether that be through research, ensuring continued teaching and learning, or keeping our crucial support services functioning.
Without doubt, the next few weeks will be tough, on all of us. If you would like to talk confidentially to someone, the counselling service can be contacted via email or on 020 8725 3625. The Counselling Service will continue to run sessions remotely from September-December 2020.
The Confidential Care Employee Assistance Programme will be continuing to provide their telephone service during this time. If you would like to use the service, please email assist@cic-eap.co.uk and include the following information:
- name
- organisation
- contact phone number
- the best time to receive a return a call (preferably with a 2-hour time window)
- a brief sentence on the reason for calling.
Please seek support when you need to, whether that be from your line manager, a trusted colleague, or from the professional support available.
I remain proud to work with you at the University and am enormously grateful for all your hard work and forbearance in such difficult circumstances.
Working together, we will successfully navigate to our future beyond the pandemic and I look forward to us meeting in person again.
With my very best wishes,
Professor Jenny Higham
Principal
St George’s, University of London