Monthly Archives: December 2020

Tier 3 Covid regulations in force from today

From Professor Richard Reece, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education & Student Experience

Thank you for your commitment to your studies this term, for working so hard throughout these challenging times and for endeavouring to keep both yourselves and the whole of our community as safe as possible.

You will no doubt be aware that the national lockdown has now ended, and Tier 3 Covid regulations come into force in both Canterbury and Medway from today (2 December 2020). Tier 3 is classed as Very High Risk, meaning it remains vitally important that we all comply with the guidance to ensure we keep our community safe.

I would like to remind you of the Tier 3 guidance:

No household mixing indoors or in private gardens – please do not socialise with those you do not live with. This means no visitors to your student accommodation.
The ‘rule of 6’ applies when meeting others outdoors in public areas such as parks. You can meet outdoors in a group of up to six people you do not live with, providing you abide by social distancing.
The Government is advising against travelling in and out of the area in which you live. Please be aware however that the Student Travel Window (3-9 December 2020) still applies. You can travel from your term-time to permanent address for the Winter vacation period. However, please do not make other non-essential journeys.

Do please follow the Government guidelines set out above and ensure you follow Hands, Face, Space, Test guidance.

Please remember that unless you are in an exempt category, you should be wearing a face covering when inside University buildings, including teaching spaces, catering outlets, the library and other communal areas. You should also wear a face covering in the local community, when in shops and on public transport.

I do appreciate that this has been a challenging term. Please be assured we are doing everything we can to provide the best possible student experience whilst we adhere to the Government guidelines.

On campus, most of our outlets will remain open offering a takeaway service until 11 December 2020. Opening hours will vary during the Christmas and New Year vacation. Our sports facilities open on 3 December 2020 with reduced provision to ensure we comply with Tier 3 guidance. You can access all our study facilities and library services; these will remain open over the Christmas vacation for those of you staying with us.

I will contact you again shortly to provide further information on our plans for the Spring term. I encourage you to continue to engage with all your teaching sessions until term ends on 18 December 2020, and thank you again for your dedication to your studies during these challenging times.

Kent People: Paul Allain, Dean of the Graduate and Researcher College

When did you join the University and why?

A Senior Lectureship in Drama came up at Kent in 2000, which was rare those days. With my eldest son about to start primary school in London, a move to Canterbury with its excellent schools and a bit more space felt like a positive step. The drama department was then, and still is, among the biggest and best in the UK. I joined Kent in September and was fortunate enough to begin with a term’s externally funded sabbatical – a soft landing.

What did you do before joining Kent?

I started a PhD in contemporary Polish theatre in autumn 1989, an interesting time to be researching there. I performed with a Polish theatre group about whom I was also writing, which led to work as a Movement Director in companies such as the RSC and the Royal National Theatre. I collaborated with some very famous actors, though to list them would be namedropping! I gained my first permanent 0.5 position in 1993 and continued to mix academic and theatre work for a few years until I decided to give my all to research and teaching.

Why has the new College been created and what’s its remit?

I have now been Dean for four years. From the beginning, I saw benefits in joining up our excellent support for postgraduates with that for research staff, especially postdocs who were ‘falling between the gaps’. I commissioned a report which confirmed this problem and gave us clear guidance on what was needed to support all staff who research across the whole academic lifecycle.

Tell us more about who’s who within your College team?

Within the Graduate and Researcher College, we’re a very small team and there’s been a lot of change over the last year, from people departing through KVSS to maternity leaves. But it’s all good, and we’re finding ways to adapt as a team so we can deliver on our expanded remit. Core team members are sustaining and enhancing our PG activity and support, in particular with the Global Skills Award for Master’s students and our Researcher Development Programme, while a new post will work closely with myself and colleagues on rolling out our programme for academic researchers.

What are your immediate plans for the newly formed College?

The imminent task is to sustain what the team has been doing so well for our postgraduates, while incorporating new workshops, activities and networks for academic staff, ultimately all geared towards improving our research performance. We signed up to the Concordat to support researcher career development in June 2020, so can’t shirk this. We are also active in several UKRI-funded postgraduate consortia which has been very preoccupying during Covid, ensuring we help our research students fairly with the limited resources we have. Inevitably, this is rumbling on…

Why do you think postgraduate education has a pivotal part in Kent’s future success?

Delivering quality postgraduate taught courses and offering excellent research supervision has to be a priority for any institution that is serious about conducting research. As a REF panel member (in 2014 and imminently for REF 2021 in subpanel 33), I see clearly how vital postgraduates are to academic life.

Covid-19 permitting(!), what are your interests away from work?

Not surprisingly, I enjoy live events such as concerts and theatre, overseas if possible, and often in Poland. Is that not work though? In case it is, I also play tennis. I’m a bit of a fidget, so that burns some energy.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Engaging your legs can greatly enhance your serve!

Asymptomatic testing appointments still available at Canterbury and Medway

If you do not have symptoms of Covid-19, ie are asymptomatic, you can make an appointment to be tested for on campus.

Canterbury and Medway appointments are still available to book online.

Please remember that asymptomatic testing is for people not displaying Covid-19 symptoms. If you do have symptoms, please follow our Self-Isolate, Test, Inform procedure and book a test via the NHS Coronavirus website.

You should ideally have two asymptomatic tests 3-5 days apart and then return home within 24hrs of your second negative test result. If you are unable to wait for a second test, please return home as soon as possible after your first negative result.

If you decide to get tested, please register for an NHS login before your appointment. You can set this up using your email address. Please note that you will not receive your barcode until you arrive to be tested, however you can still set up the rest of your account.

Once registered, please bookmark this link to the NHS Coronavirus Testing site on your phone. Pre-registering for an NHS login will speed up your appointment and make the testing process even easier.

Professor Richard Reece | Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education and Student Experience

Financial support over the Winter break

This year has come with many difficulties. If you find yourself struggling financially, you are welcome to apply for financial support from the University. Please note the deadlines and university office closure dates below.

Kent Emergency Short Term Loan

You will need to have your application for the Kent Emergency Short Term Loan completed and sent to us by 14.00 on Wednesday 16 December to receive any money by Christmas.

You should complete and scan the application form to FinancialAid@kent.ac.uk (Canterbury) or UKMFinance@kent.ac.uk (Medway) along with scanned copies of your bank statements (for all bank accounts UK or abroad). These statements should show all transactions back 30 days from the date of the application. Payments will be made directly into your bank account – no cash can be issued at this time.

Other financial hardship packages

The other financial hardship packages are still available for students to apply but please be aware that any application may not now be processed or finalised before Christmas. Students should therefore not rely on receiving any funds granted before the New Year for these packages.

Office closures

Financial Aid and other Central Finance offices will be closed for Christmas from midday on Tuesday 22 December 2020 and will re-open on Monday 4 January 2021.

Covid-19: Asymptomatic Testing Site at Canterbury now open for staff

The Asymptomatic Testing Site on our Canterbury campus is now open for all University of Kent staff to use.

If you do not have Covid-19 symptoms ie are asymptomatic and would like to be tested, please make an appointment.

Appointments are available from 2 December until 15 December 2020.

Please note that the NHS advises you are tested twice, ideally within 3 days, in order to receive a reliable result.

The Asymptomatic Testing Site (ATS) offers Lateral Flow Tests which are different to the tests offered by NHS Local Testing Sites. Lateral Flow Tests are specifically for those who are asymptomatic.

We are currently working with the local Public Health Team to arrange for asymptomatic testing to be available for staff on the Medway campus. More information will be provided very shortly.

Please note that if you do have symptoms of Covid-19, you should self-isolate immediately and follow our Staff reporting procedure. Please book a PCR test as soon as you can via the NHS Coronavirus site. Please also let HR and Occupational Health know by emailing staffwellbeing@kent.ac.uk and inform your line manager.

To find out more about the ATS and Lateral Flow Tests, please see our dedicated Coronavirus website.

Professor Richard Reece | Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education and Student Experience

Top 10 ways to feel festive this December

Blog post by Second Year Law Student, Ellie House.

Although lockdown ends on 2 December, the new tier system will bring its own challenges – especially as we try to navigate through the Christmas period. Here are some top tips on ways to feel festive this December, while still staying within restrictions and keeping safe!

Take a walk with those in your household/bubble

A great way to stay active during this time is taking walks outside. There are many beautiful walking spots around Kent and within Canterbury and exploring those with your household could be a great activity! If you also want a festive feel, try taking a walk through Canterbury (or your local area) and looking at this year’s Christmas lights.

Try some festive baking

This is an activity you can do by yourself or with those in your household! Try making a festive cake or some cookies and get creative with your decorations. If you’re feeling extra Christmassy, you could even try building a gingerbread house, or having a gingerbread house making competition with your friends – this could be together if you’re a household or over Zoom.

Take time to do some festive arts and crafts

A great activity if you feel like you’re in a creative lull is doing some festive arts and crafts! There are many different things you can create with a Christmas theme, but if you’re stuck for ideas, you could try a wellbeing art kit.

Decorate!

If you haven’t done so already, decorating is always a fantastic way to feel more festive. You can put up a tree and decorate your home with all the glitter and tinsel you can find. Whether you stick to a traditional red, green and gold colour palette, or change it up with something a little different, you’re bound to feel more in the Christmas spirit once your decorations are up.

Have a Christmas movie night in

Unless you’re the Grinch, Christmas movies are bound to get you in the festive spirit. Set up a movie night with your household and watch all your favourite Christmas classics, and maybe even a few new releases out for Christmas this year. You can make it more interesting by having each person pick their favourite film, or if you don’t have time to binge-watch them all, pick them out of a hat. You can also feel more festive by drinking hot chocolates and eating festive snacks!

Make your own Christmas cards or gifts

Whether you’re creative or not, you can still get into the Christmas spirit by making some DIY gifts for your family and friends. There are lots of tutorials online for all sorts of gifts, so you’re bound to find something you’d enjoy making and that would be appreciated by your friends and family.

Have a ‘Zoom’ Secret Santa

Use an online Secret Santa generator to each pick someone to get a gift for and set a budget for how much you’re each going to spend. Then, buy your gifts online and get them delivered to each other’s addresses! Make sure you set a date for when you’ll all open the gifts and call each other whilst you open them to see everyone’s reactions.

Festive ‘Come Dine With Me’

Why not get together with the other members of your household and have a festive ‘Come Dine With Me’? You can each cook a meal for everyone in the evening, and then each ‘guest’ can rank the meal out of 10! Whoever gets the highest score for their meal wins. Make sure to add a festive element to each of your meals, maybe by making a Christmas-themed dessert or even just adding some brussels sprouts to your dish!

Hold an online Christmas quiz

You can find plenty of Christmas-themed trivia questions online or come up with your own. Put them together in a quiz and test your friends’ Christmas knowledge. You can come up with a prize for the winner, or just play for fun – it’s completely up to you!

Volunteer

During this difficult time, it’s especially important that we give back to our local communities and help those in need. Helping others during this festive period, even if it’s just donating a small amount of your time, can really make a difference to someone’s Christmas. Take a look at the volunteering opportunities around your local area and see what you can do to help. Whether you’re able to give up your time for charity, or you have some change to spare and buy some food for the foodbank on your weekly shop, helping others during this difficult December is something we should all strive to do.

No matter how you spend your Christmas, try to get the most out of December whilst staying safe.

Who are your Residential Life Assistants and what do they do?

Residential Life Assistants (RLAs) are postgraduate student volunteers who host events and support initiatives within your College. They will help you to form a College Committee in the spring, to find your voice and promote your ideas and values. They will support you to shape the ways you can all come together to make your College Community, where every student is welcome no matter what their background and whether living on or off campus.

Fawaz (studying Bio-digital Architecture MSc)

Ally (studying Economics MSc)

Maria (studying Forensic Osteology MSc)

Ishaan (studying Environmental Anthropology MSc)

Daniella (studying Criminology MA)

RLA festive events

Get involved with The Tw’Elf Days of Christmas competition on your College Facebook page (daily prizes awarded). Find your College Facebook page on the College webpage.

We also have a Christmas Cookies baking event coming up hosted by the RLAs and Kent Union Baking Society for live baking fun! If you’re staying on campus you can borrow the equipment you need for the bake from the College Life team.

We’re adding more events to our College events page so keep an eye out.

College Life Team

The RLAs focus on events but also work closely with the College Life Officers (CLOs) who are experienced, full time staff working in the central College and Community Life team. Your CLOs can offer you individual or group support if you are struggling, by email (cclteam@kent.ac.uk), phone, or Teams. Their focus is on welfare, support, and access to specialist services.

Preparing to leave campus for the Winter Break

Following the announcement of the Student Travel Window, here’s few things you need to consider when planning your journey home for Christmas.

Everyone should follow the national lockdown restrictions until 2 December 2020 and not travel home before 3 December.

Decide when to travel

The Government has set out a Student Travel Window from 3-9 December 2020. All teaching will move online from 4 December to help support this. Please remember to keep up with your academic timetable online until term finishes on 18 December.

To help you travel home safely and reduce the spread of the virus, we ask that you travel during one of the following timeframes (depending on when you have face-to-face teaching):

If you do not have face-to-face teaching on 3-4 December 2020, please try to travel home between 3-6 December 2020.
If your face-to-face teaching continues until 4 December 2020, please try to travel home between 5-9 December 2020.

We understand that the allocated dates will not be suitable for all students. Some of you may have already made other plans or intend to stay with us for longer, which you are very welcome to do. Please be assured we will support you whatever your personal circumstances.

Once you know your travel plans please make sure you have completed the Winter Vacation/Student Travel Window survey which was emailed to you by the Accommodation Team on Friday 13 November 2020.

Please note: If you have tested positive for Covid-19 or have been notified to self-isolate by the NHS test and Trace system, you will have to follow the self-isolation guidance before travelling home. See our self-isolation support.

Book a test

You can book a Covid-19 test before you leave campus to help protect your loved ones and stop the spread of Covid-19.

Plan your journey

If you are being collected by car between 3-9 December 2020, the person collecting you will not require a parking permit. They can park free of charge in marked parking bays on campus. Please have everything you want to take home with you ready for when they arrive so you can quickly load the car and make your way home.

If you are using public transport, book your tickets in advance, take a face covering, check for travel disruptions ahead of time, and avoid busy times (we anticipate 5-6 December will be busy). See our tips for travelling during Covid-19.

National Express has enhanced their coach service to help students get safely home between 3-9 December and you can get a 10% discount. Read more and get a discount code.

If you are planning to take the train, please book in advance and check South-Eastern’s website for travel disruption. Find out more on South-Eastern’s website.

You can read our full advice and FAQs for travelling home for Christmas, including travelling outside of the ‘Student Travel Window’, on our Transport webpages.

Planning international travel

International students: you can travel home from 3 December. Before you travel, you should:

Check the COVID-19 entry requirements for your destination country
Speak to your travel insurer
Check with your carrier for latest developments at your destination
Plan ahead to avoid busy times and routes

If you are a student abroad and are travelling back to the UK, you should:

Speak to your travel insurer
Check GOV.UK for advice on returning to the UK
Plan ahead to avoid busy times and routes
Complete your Passenger Locator Form before you return to the UK

Leaving on-campus accommodation

If you are leaving your on-campus accommodation for the winter break, please make sure you:

Remove all rubbish from your accommodation, kitchen, and bins
Turn off all electrical items and lights (but not the fridge!)
Dispose of any perishable foods or take them with you. You can also donate any unwanted items.
Close your windows but leave the vent open
Check your doors are locked

If you live in part-catered accommodation and are staying after the travel window don’t forget your winter vacation move out dates.

In case another lockdown delays your return, we also recommend taking all your important items with you.

Remember that items left in communal areas are not covered by your standard room insurance, so you may wish to move items into your bedroom.

Read more about moving out on our accommodation webpages.

Have a safe journey home and we look forward to welcoming you back in the New Year!

Photo by Nubia Navarro on Unsplash

Brexit update – 1 December 2020

As we near the end of the transition period, we would like to highlight some key areas to help you understand the impact of Brexit including travelling in the EEA from January 2021, UK travel disruption and the new immigration system.

Further information and support can be found on the Staff Brexit webpages or, if you would prefer to speak with someone, please email staffEUqueries@kent.ac.uk.

Disruption to travel to and from our UK campuses

Delays at channel ports and the closure of major roads for lorry parking may cause travel disruptions or delays when travelling to and from the Canterbury and Medway campuses in early 2021, with potentially longer-term congestion.

The Covid-19 pandemic has meant that a significant proportion of staff are now able to work from home, but there are still many staff who need to attend campus and who may therefore be affected by increased congestion. If you are required to work on or attend campus, you are advised to be prepared for increased journey times and to plan your journey in advance. Alternative travel arrangements may need to be made particularly when we return from the Christmas break. If you have any concerns about getting to work please discuss this with your line manager.

Travel delays for UK passport holders travelling to Europe

From January 2021, UK passport holders are encouraged to check the new requirements before travelling, which includes passport validity, insurance and allowing additional time for increased checks at points of entry to the EEA. If you are travelling for business, including teaching at our European centres, please ensure you refer to the latest Government, post-Brexit travelling advice and the general Key Travel webpage

EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)

The EUSS is open until 30 June 2021 for EEA nationals resident in the UK before the end of the transition period (31 December 2020). In order to qualify, you must be resident in the UK but it is not mandatory that you have commenced employment or your studies. Pre-Settled status will be granted if you have less than five years’ residency and Settled Status will be granted if you have five years or more.

EEA staff, and their families, are strongly encouraged to apply to the scheme to ensure their current rights are protected. If you do not obtain Settled or Pre-Settled status, you may be required to apply for a visa under the new immigration system should you change employers from July 2021. You will also need to provide evidence of your Settled or Pre-Settled status from July 2021 when opening a new bank account, obtaining a new rental tenancy agreement or applying for a mortgage.

If you require guidance or have any queries regarding the scheme, please contact our dedicated email address: staffEUqueries@kent.ac.uk.

UK and EU Frontier Workers

On 10 December 2020, the Home Office will launch the Frontier Worker Permit scheme which will be open to EEA citizens employed in the UK by 31 December 2020, but who live elsewhere. The Home Office meaning of a Frontier Worker is as follows:

an EEA national;
not primarily resident in the United Kingdom; and
either—
- a worker in the United Kingdom;
- a self-employed person in the United Kingdom; or
- a retained worker or self-employed person.

You may also be a Frontier Worker if you are a UK national living in the UK and you are working in the EU.

If you believe you are eligible to apply to the UK or EU Frontier Worker schemes, please contact staffEUqueries@kent.ac.uk so we can help to ensure you have the correct permissions from 1 January 2021.