Following today’s earlier message from the GSA’s Director Penny Macbeth, we wanted to provide you with more detailed information on the changes we are putting in place as a result of the current COVID-19 Lockdown. In making these changes our priority has been your academic needs, safety and wellbeing and our aim is to give you as much clarity and certainty as we possibly can.
We had hoped to be significantly increasing studio and workshop access this month for you. However, the current lockdown and present uncertainty about when restrictions may ease reinforces the need for us to be able to support you all with online teaching, learning and assessment to successfully complete this academic year, progress to the next stage of your programme or achieve your degree award.
What we can tell you today is that from Monday 11 January 2021:
- All learning and teaching continues online:
- You should attend your online teaching sessions as usual and refer to CANVAS for updates. Your academic staff remain available for contact through digital platforms as before;
- If you require a short-term loan of a laptop, you can request this online at Student IT Service Desk, gsaitstudentdesk@gsa.ac.uk or +44(0)141 566 1333. For all other loan requests for IT equipment, please follow the guidance on the Information Technology pages on the GSA Student Intranet.
- Access to Safe Study Spaces and Bureau Services continues:
- The Library and Digital Hub will be open for any students who have not changed household during the Winter Break. You should continue to use the booking system via Connect 2 to access. Further Library Services information can be found at https://lib.gsa.ac.uk/covid-19-library-faq/
- The Technical Support Department’s Bureau Service (comprising online consultations, equipment loans and material fabrication) will be open for students and you should continue to use the booking system via Connect 2 to access. Equipment loans can be extended if you are unable to return the items in person. Further information on technical support services can be found on CANVAS.
- Support for Students:
- Your mental health and wellbeing are a priority. Student Support Services continues to be available using Zoom for appointments and you can utilise the range of free resources and support available on the GSA Student Intranet. To request an appointment or ask a question contact:
- For student mental health and other issues including financial support (Hardship Fund) welfare@gsa.ac.uk
- For support for your learning learningsupport@gsa.ac.uk
- For counselling counselling@gsa.ac.uk
- Other services for you continue to operate online and staff in Registry, Finance and IT as well as your School Admin Offices, are here to help and full details can be found on the GSA Student Intranet.
- While we are in lockdown and working remotely:
- It is important that you follow the advice on Studying or Working and Creating in our own Home or Other Offsite Locations from the GSA’s Health & Safety and Technical Services Department (TSD).
From Monday 18 January 2021:
- Safe Studio Spaces:
- We are opening bookable studio space in the Reid Building available for all GSA students who are in Glasgow and who do not have safe or appropriate workspace at home during lockdown. The Scottish Government requires us to severely restrict the numbers of students coming to campus during National Lockdown and we will carefully monitor demand for this workspace and adjust our plans accordingly. Information on how to book studio space will be issued shortly and posted on the GSA Student Intranet.
What else you need to know:
- Supporting your studies:
- On Monday 11 January we will be sending you a very short survey to help us understand where you are currently residing, and what challenges you are facing. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey as we will use the information you provide to guide further action that we will take to support you.
- Deadlines for submission:
- We are adopting a No Detriment approach to upcoming and future assessment, ensuring that no one is disadvantaged because of their personal circumstances at this time. Your Schools and Programme Teams are currently reviewing all future assessments and where necessary we will provide additional time and support, and/or adjust submission requirements.
- Degree Show 2021:
- It is clear that the current COVID-19 situation and associated restrictions will continue in various forms for some time, impacting across the cultural sector and exhibition programming. We want to offer you reassurance that we remain committed to your 2021 Degree Show’s digital and physical showcases and will be working with you to maximise these.
- We are also looking at how we can support graduating students with a range of upskilling, masterclasses and professional practice opportunities to support the transition into your professional lives and to support your physical showcases.
- Feedback:
- We are setting up a fortnightly meeting for all Lead Reps and each Academic School will be establishing a regular Student Liaison Group for the rest of this academic year. Both of these are designed to provide a simple and consistent approach to engaging with you at this time, developing a shared understanding of the issues, impacts and the changes we are having to make and keeping your needs, safety and wellbeing at the forefront of our decision-making.
- Returning to Glasgow or Forres:
- The Government advice across all four nations of the UK is to stay at home. Any student who is considering returning to Glasgow or Forres needs to be aware of the Scottish Government available on the Information for Students website.
- If you have already returned you should follow the Scottish Government advice on quarantine and access the asymptomatic testing that is available for students in partnership with Glasgow University.
- Any student who needs to return to Glasgow or Forres because of issues such as mental health concerns, parental estrangement or personal safety should contact Student Support Services before making any decision.
- Remember that as there is no on-campus access other than to safe study spaces and all teaching is online, there is no requirement for you to be in Glasgow or Forres and you should follow the Government instruction and stay at home.
We are also continually reviewing how things are working, specific programme issues and requirements, what additional support is required, your feedback and changes in the Scottish Government guidance. Where we can make improvements and enhancements we will, and we are continuing our planning to resume and enhance safe on-campus access when Scottish Government and Local Protection Level restrictions allow.
Please continue to check your GSA email, GSA Student Intranet and CANVAS on a regular basis for updates and importantly please keep safe and follow the Government guidance wherever in the UK or the world you are.