University Screening Service and support available

Read a message from Claire Morgan, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students sent on 5 October regarding screening services, where to find support and student conduct.

Dear Student,

I last wrote to you immediately after it was confirmed local restrictions were being put into place in Cardiff on Sunday 27 September. I know that for some of you these new measures have added to the concerns and worries you may already have had. For others I know there is a determination to make the most of your student experience.

Welcome (back)

In today’s message I am now very pleased to welcome new students to Cardiff University, and for those returning students, welcome back to the next stage of your programme.  I had the fortune of seeing some of you arrive at halls of residence last week and was also part of enrolment this week. This is not the University life we had imagined, but I am genuinely delighted to see so many of you start or re-start your university journeys.

Feedback from School Inductions so far is positive, and you should be commended for the excellent engagement with a very different University experience, and for those students who have been on campus, there is evidence of social-distancing and other guidance being followed.

Student conduct

There have been some isolated incidents in halls, and I would like to remind you of our community commitment to follow the guidance and safety measures, to protect your own health and those of others around you. The news is full of stories which show what could happen next if they’re not followed. My thanks in advance for your continued support of this commitment.

Where to find support

To those of you who are feeling apprehensive, perhaps unsure about leaving your accommodation, I want to reassure you that as a University we are doing our best to be there for you. 

The announcement of local restrictions in Cardiff is intended to help us all stay safe, the local community included. It also allows for you to experience as much of a ‘normal student’ life as possible. The University and its facilities including our libraries, catering outlets and sports facilities remain open, albeit in a different way. Elsewhere in the city, shops, bars and restaurants all remain open. And we’ve put an exceptional effort into ensuring you can attend in-person teaching safely, and avoid becoming a ‘contact’ of anyone outside of your immediate household or accommodation. This news article spells out what you can do to limit the chances of catching or spreading coronavirus (COVID-19), how to help others, avoid having to self-isolate, or contributing to more restrictions coming in.

If you need support you can speak to your Personal Tutor, a member of the Programme Team or your School Office.  Alternatively, you can contact ‘Student Connect’ by:

• email: studentconnect@cardiff.ac.uk
• phone: +44 (0)29 2251 8888
• asking the chatbot your questions 24/7 when you see the blue and white chat button on the bottom right hand corner of your screen on the student intranet

Screening

If you’re already in Cardiff, we’ve also introduced a new report for students either suffering from coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms or with a confirmed positive test. You’ll find this in SIMS online – Report a positive COVID-19 NHS test or symptoms. Providing us with this information will mean we can liaise with NHS Test, Trace and Protect to keep you, and those around you, as safe as possible and make sure you get the support you need academically and from a wellbeing point of view if you have to self-isolate.

Finally, some of you may have seen an open-letter the Vice-Chancellor Colin Riordan and I wrote last week to your parents/carers. We took this step to try and reassure them that your education and safety is our top priority – something I hope also comes across in these messages.

Best wishes,

Claire Morgan
Pro Vice-Chancellor, Education and Students