As more of us start planning for a return to campus, it’s worth considering how we travel there. With the government keen for everyone to get back in the saddle and the University actively promoting cycling and walking, why not give cycling a go?

To encourage staff and students to walk and cycle to, from and around our campuses, Kent offers a range of incentives.

Here are the 10 things on offer to make cycling an easier option:

1. Staff Cycle to Work Scheme

The Staff Cycle to Work Scheme offers you the chance to purchase a brand new bike and accessories from a range of participating local stores at a discounted rate. Further information is available on the Staff Finance page.

2. Local bike shop discounts

Some local bike shops, including Canterbury Cycles in Canterbury and Bikes Bike Bikes in Gillingham, offer Kent staff and students 10-15% discounts on bike purchases. You can find further information on Travel Discounts.

 3. Business bike mileage allowance

Staff who use their bike to travel to and from a meeting can claim 20p per mile. For more information, see ourFinance webpages.

4. Cycle shelters

There are over 2,000 cycle parking spaces available across the Canterbury and Medway campuses. This includes several covered and secure (KentOne card-access) shelters.

You can view the location of all the Canterbury-based bike lock-ups via this map. Shelters on the Medway campus are located at the Drill Hall Library, Central Avenue and Nelson Building.

5. University cycle groups

KUBUG is an independent cycling group at the University. It’s open to all staff and students who have an interest in cycling in and around the Canterbury campus. You can interact with other cyclists via the free online forum.

University of Kent Cycling (UKC) is a multi-discipline sports club run by Kent Union. It caters for all levels and anyone who loves having fun on two wheels!

6. Safety tips and advice

The University offers plenty of safety tips and advice when it comes to cycling, including how to check your bike is fit for purpose. See their advice on the Transport page.

7. Cycle events

Cycle events, from fun activities to organised bike rides, take place at the University throughout the year.To find out what’s on when, keep an eye on the transport calendar or follow @unikent_travel.

8. Kent cycle routes

Kent boasts some fantastic cycle routes and footpathsto enjoy both for leisure and as direct routes to and from our campuses. The Crab & Winkle Way, for example, is a picturesque off-road link between Canterbury and Whistable.

9. Cycle training course

If you want to learn how to ride a bike or need more confidence riding to work, then make the most of the cycle training courses provided by Kent County Council.

10. Cycling updates

For cycling updates at the University, follow  @unikent_travel and/or sign up to the Transport team newsletters.

If you have other useful tips for cycling to and from the University of Kent, please share them with us at stories@kent.ac.uk

With the Gulbenkian cinema and café now open (since 17 August 2020), there’s plenty of fantastic films and live events for you to enjoy!

Cinema bookings are currently online only and close two hours before the screening time. To find out what the Gulbenkian has been doing to ensure a safe visit, please visit its Customer information page.

Here are just a few of the movies and events you can go and see:

Clemency – Friday 21 August – Thursday 27 August 2020

Years of carrying out death row executions have taken a toll on prison warden Bernadine Williams (Alfre Woodard) .

Family Film: Trolls World Tour – Sunday 30 August 2020

Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake return in an all-star sequel to DreamWorks Animation’s 2016 musical hit: Trolls World Tour.

Pinocchio – Friday 4 September 2020

In this live-action adaptation of the beloved fairytale, old woodcarver Gepetto (Roberto Benigni), fashions a wooden puppet, Pinocchio (Federico Ielapi), who magically comes to life.

Jive Talkin’ perform the Bee Gees – Saturday 10 October 2020

Rescheduled from May 2020, this group is renowned for being the original and best Bee Gees tribute show.

A new exchange agreement between Kent Law School (KLS) and the University of Los Andes, Colombia has been signed.  The agreement covers PhD student and staff exchange; activity that will be supported by an Erasmus+ grant won by Kent.

University of Los Andes plays a central role within the academic community in Colombia and in Latin America as a whole. The institution shares KLS’ critical, interdisciplinary approach to law and commitment to excellence in research and education; it is hoped that the exchange will establish long- lasting avenues for research collaboration particularly in the areas of peace building and transitional justice.

Dr. Luis Eslava, Co-Director of the Centre for Critical International Law within KLS, welcomes the new agreement:

‘It is extremely exciting to inaugurate the Erasmus+ programme. It will give the Kent and ‘Universidad de los Andes an opportunity to further consolidate their interinstitutional partnership while supporting a fantastic exchange programme that will benefit staff and doctoral students from both institutions. We are looking forward to receiving at Kent Law School our colleagues from Los Andes.’

Head of Kent Law School Professor Lydia Hayes is also excited about the partnership:

‘The student and academic community at Los Andes is wonderfully vibrant and we are proud that the new exchange agreement further enhances our connections. We foresee many benefits for staff and students in Columbia and in Kent because of new opportunities for student placements, the exchange of knowledge and learning, and joint working on research in the social study of law’.

Due to Covid-19, the exchange will commence online, with physical mobility taking place when it is safe to do so.

For information about Erasmus+ funding to support exchange outside Europe, please contact Primrose Paskins in International Partnerships

BALEAP is a body which supports the professional development of English for Academic Purposes (EAP) professionals. It also runs an accreditation scheme for EAP courses. We are delighted to be hosting the BALEAP Professional Issues Meeting (PIM) online on 6 November 2020.

The theme of the PIM is 2020 Visions: Looking Back and Looking Ahead.

The new decade has brought with it major shifts in higher education, with many challenges and opportunities. This event will allow participants to explore how EAP practitioners have responded to these and how they have influenced future plans.  It will also allow participants to reflect on the past and look forward to the future, as we adjust to, work with and create the ‘new normal’.

We are now inviting EAP colleagues in the UK and further afield to submit proposals for sessions on a range of topics:  a PIM online is a great opportunity to present from anywhere in the world.

Possible topics to explore are:

• the response to the ‘new normal’ so far, our plans looking ahead

• tools and techniques – from materials to assessment to pedagogy/approaches and blended learning

• the learning environment – inside and outside the classroom, the impact of a ‘digital first’ approach

• the learner – what does the learner now want and need?

• the practitioner – how has the changing environment affected us?

• how have we adapted to the changing environment?

• what has worked and what has not?

• what is next and where do we want to go?

Other suggestions are welcome. Submission Deadline: 17.00 (BST) Tuesday 6 October 2020

Further details about the PIM and how to submit a proposal for a session are on our website.

Restrictions on travel for University purposes are still in effect and have not been relaxed.

Whilst the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) may have relaxed restrictions on travel from 4 July 2020, the University still regards any and all international travel – even to countries that have relaxed travel restrictions by the FCO – as high risk and not to be booked where at all possible or avoidable. This is particularly relevant to undergraduate and PGT students. 

If staff or PGR students have external funding for essential travel, they should be able to travel as long as the FCO is not advising against travel, the trip is supported by a completed risk assessment and is insured through Kent’s Insurance Office. Staff should be aware that FCO guidance is liable to change at very short notice. 

There may be some internally funded travel needed to prepare some grant applications with other universities. This should be at the discretion of the Divisions. 

The process staff and PGR students should follow when booking essential travel is:

1. Review the University’s updated Travel Policy and complete the enclosed Travel Exceptions form confirming the essential nature of travel and that external funding is available
2. Complete the relevant online Overseas Travel Risk Assessment form
3. Register for the University’s travel insurance using the form here.

It is not recommended that you book travel using any personal funds as this is at your own risk and any expense claims may not be authorised if you travel contrary to University advice. 

This travel advice is being reviewed on a regular basis. For latest updates on travel and other FAQs on Covid-19, see our staff webpages.

As I mentioned in last week’s email, we are cautiously optimistic with regard to our undergraduate numbers and I am truly grateful to all those who continue to work tirelessly in our schools and professional services departments to ensure we achieve the best possible outcome.

This has been a Clearing like no other. The uncertainties surrounding the impact of Covid-19 on students’ decision-making was compounded by last week’s change in government policy in the grading of A-levels and BTECs.

From the outset, we have had to change and adapt and then change and adapt again. Given the current situation, we took the decision to run our Clearing in the virtual world. The aim of this was to mitigate against any local lockdown and coronavirus outbreaks on campus, and to combat the very tricky process of trying to run the operation with social distance measures in place. This took an immense amount of planning and a cast of many, and the smoothness of that operation has been remarkable.

Our Clearing campaign, which we relaunched following the government’s announcement, has performed extremely well across a range of platforms including Facebook, Twitter and even TikTok. Content that shows off the campuses, whether through drone footage or campus tours, has done very well and was accompanied by a message highlighting the amount of space we have for our students.

To date, our Clearing hotline has received over 7,710 calls, which is 18.5% higher than we received last year. Yesterday alone, the teams handled over 400 calls. This week, we are holding a series of socially distanced campus tours, which allow small groups of students and their families to experience the campus for themselves.

We are all too aware that students have had to cope with an ever-changing landscape and a level of uncertainty that would throw the best of us, and I thank you all for the help and compassion you have continued to show them despite the hard work and pressures you all face.

With all good wishes,

Karen

Professor Karen Cox | Vice-Chancellor and President

I am writing to give you an update to changes in Student Services that have been designed to ensure the continued success of the college system at the University of Kent and to support the delivery of an outstanding student experience. This has involved a review and restructure of the colleges including a clear separation of responsibility for college life and student conduct and complaints.

Continuing the excellent work of College Masters, assistants and colleagues since the University began, the new college structure ensures the University is aligned with the very latest regulatory requirements and sector best practice particularly in the separation of responsibility for student wellbeing from student conduct and complaints. The new structure helps facilitate a consistent approach to both of those areas for all our students.

You can see the new structure on the Organising for Success staff webpages.

In essence, the College Master function is now undertaken by the Head of Colleges and Community Life supported by a team of College Life Officers and a Community Life Officer. They will provide strategic leadership and management on all aspects of enhancement and innovation in the area of college and community life, ensuring that student life and the University’s engagement with the community is sector-leading, inclusive, evidence-based and contributes to successful student outcomes.

In addition, the Head of Student Conduct and Complaints will provide strategic leadership and management on all aspects of student conduct and complaints, supported by a team of specialist Student Conduct and Complaints Officers. The Office will be responsible for the management and investigation of all non-academic student discipline cases and complaints.

They will work closely with Campus Security and external bodies such as Kent Police, and address community concerns through local Resident Associations as well as liaising with and responding to regulatory bodies such as the Office for the Independent Adjudicator.

Following the appointment of Dr Lucy Foley as Director of Student Services, I am delighted to announce that we have appointed Jacqui Double as our new Head of Colleges and Community Life and Alison Mansell as Head of Student Conduct and Complaints.

To further strengthen the college system on the Canterbury campus, a new college for Park Wood students will be in operation from this September.

Providing additional support will be several teams of students in both Canterbury and Medway providing on- and off-campus support, helping to build community through a series of engagement activities and events. These include Residential Life Officers recruited from this year’s 2020/21 taught postgraduate cohort.

The new structure has also allowed us to invest further in mental health support, and out-of-hours provision.

We believe that these changes will enable the University to better meet the needs of students in the 21^st Century, build stronger communities within the colleges, and strengthen the wider student communities throughout Canterbury and Medway.

Further appointments to the team are in the process of being made and more information will be available soon including online Q and A sessions for staff led by Lucy, Jacqui and Alison.

Until the teams are fully in place, please do get in touch with any queries:

• Student welfare and college and community life
  Jacqui Double, headofcollegeandcommunitylife@kent.ac.uk
• Student conduct and complaints
  Alison Mansell, sccoffice@kent.ac.uk

Should you have any other queries please contact Dr Lucy Foley’s office, directorstudentservices@kent.ac.uk.

Professor Christina Hughes | Interim Director of Student Services

After 36 years delivering courses and programmes to the local community, the University’s services in Tonbridge will come to an end next week, bringing to a close a unique chapter in our history.

The University has been operating from its Avebury Avenue site in Tonbridge since 1983 and was the first UK building to be specially constructed as a regional satellite University Centre. From its humble origins in mobile classrooms, it developed to support hundreds of students through its dedicated programmes for adult learners, which ranged from accredited study options to short courses. Staff at the Centre were also able to form valuable links with the West Kent community, through events like the Tonbridge Arts Festival, the annual Pint of Science Festival and networking events for local businesses.

To encourage access to the Centre, short courses at Tonbridge were always competitively priced with costs supported by the University. This approach is sadly no longer viable in the current financial context, and with the Centre having been closed to the public for a number of months due to Covid-19, it will now not reopen for further courses from 31 August 2020. Students and local stakeholders have been informed of plans, including options for alternative study opportunities such as the U3A.

The University remains fully committed to delivering wider services for people in Kent and will continue to look into how people can best study and engage with us across the county as part of our ongoing regional engagement plans. Kent-franchised programmes in the creative arts will also continue unaffected at West Kent University Centre (part of West Kent College).

Vice-Chancellor Professor Karen Cox said: “I’d like to thank both staff and tutors at the Tonbridge Centre for all their work to deliver a fantastic range of courses over the years to their committed students, and wish everyone associated with the Centre all the best for the future.”

Last week Kent Hospitality’s Housekeeping Team visited local homeless charity Catching Lives to donate remaining food items that been left by students.

Following the early departure of students from their on-campus accommodation earlier this year, Kent Hospitality’s Housekeeping Team had been making weekly donations of food items left behind to Kent Union’s campus Food Bank. As the need for new items at the Union’s Food Bank decreased question remained over where remaining items could be donated.

‘We didn’t want to throw anything away that could still be used, so we didn’t hesitate to look locally and donate the food items to Catching Lives in Canterbury, who we had raised money for before. We knew it would be put to good use and they were delighted to have this bought to them’ said Becky Verlin, Housekeeping Manager.

In addition to sharing the news about the recipients of the food donations Becky also wished to express thanks, continuing ‘It’s meant a great deal to all the housekeeping team that we have been able to support others during this time and so we also just want to take a moment to thank all the staff and students. Without their co-operation, understanding and support we wouldn’t have been able to help so many people.’

As our official Employee Assistance Programme provider, Care first offers a numbers of services and provide useful advice and support.

Their weekly webinars continue this week (Monday 24 – Friday 28 August) and are as follows:

Monday 24 August 2020 –  ‘How Care first can support you’
Time: 14.00-14.30 – to register please click on this Go to webinar link

Tuesday 25 August 2020 – ‘Preparing for Schools reopening’
Time: 11.00-11.30 – to register please click on this Go to webinar link

Wednesday 26 August 2020 – ‘How to Promote the Care first Services effectively’
Time: 12.00-12.30 – to register please click on this Go to webinar link

Thursday 27 August 2020 – ‘Post-lockdown Anxiety’
Time: 12.00-12.30 – to register please click on this Go to webinar link

Friday 28 August 2020 – ‘COVID-19: Where are we now?’
Time: 12.30-13.00 – to register please click on this Go to webinar link