Plans for Academic Year 2020 – 2021 (6)

Update 6: 3 September 2020

Over the past few weeks, the GSA has been sharing how students can expect this academic year to be different.

 

We have all had to respond to the on-going Covid-19 situation, something which is likely to continue, in some form and for some time. The GSA, like all universities in Scotland, has had to respond to the guidance and expectations of the Scottish Government for universities in response to Covid-19 and to ensure a safe campus and learning environment for both students and staff. The GSA’s students are very much part of local communities. It is important for GSA’s neighbours in Garnethill, Forres and the wider community across Glasgow that students are returning to a safe environment, and one that continues to support studies.

 

Over the summer the GSA has been working hard to achieve this within the context of practice-led, studio-based learning. We have had to reconsider how studio, as a physical space, works in the context of social distancing, and how this sits with the context of both the academic programme and the timetabled and curated learning across the week. What we can say at this point is that while the locations of where this learning may take place will change and, in response to public health guidance, aspects of dialogue and interaction have become digital, the level of staff involvement has not. Engagement and interactions with staff are still the core feature of education at the GSA.

 

Some key points to note:

 

• Academic Year 2020 – 2021 will commence on 14 September 2020 as planned with teaching and academic engagement with programmes starting from this date;

 

• Next week the GSA will email students with details of how to access the GSA Student Inductions for 2020-2021 on CANVAS. Completing the student induction, whether as a new or a continuing student in Academic Year 2020 – 2021, is a key component to allow students to commence their studies with us.

 

• Timetables will detail learning – lectures, tutorials, crits and studio access – as well as other activities across the week These will be published shortly on CANVAS. There will be an opportunity to discuss these with Programme Leaders in one of the regular Zoom drop-in sessions;

 

• All programmes will start from 14 September in line with the published timetables and will be initially delivered remotely.  Detailed examples of how this would work were shared in Update 5: 20 August 2020; 

 

• Studio, Library Services and Technical Support (Bureau Services) access is from 5 October. Scheduled Studio access days have been timetabled, and access to workshops will be bookable. Students should only attend campus at the times they are scheduled to, either for studio or TSD access. The campus will be open Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm from 5th October 2020 and the GSA will review the opening hours on a regular basis;

 

• The process of making remains central to learning at the GSA and we recognise that this work is going to be of a slightly different type from normal. Our curriculum will support and acknowledge this and we still value the intellectual and practical effort that has gone into its production;

 

• The GSA has invested in additional and new digital resources – software including Zoom, Adobe Creative Suite and Rhino, Technical Support Department Bureau Services and e-books and resources in the Library;

 

• The GSA published its COVID-19 Response Student Guide on 5 August and this was shared with students at that time;

 

• In line with the Scottish Government’s own route map and scheduled three-weekly review of restrictions, the GSA is establishing a process so that it is possible to review our model and make appropriate changes as and when restrictions are lifted.

 

Remember:

 

• Online enrolment needs to be complated –please refer to emails sent by GSA Registry with instructions;

 

• Once enrolment is complete students can follow the induction process. Induction will need to be completed by 5 October 2020. Students will be reminded if they have not completed this as it may restrict the ability to access campus;

 

• Students will need to have their GSA student card to access the campus from 5 October 2020 in line with their published and timetabled access. If cards have been lost or mislaid students should contact registry@gsa.ac.uk

 

• Facemasks should be worn on campus in line with the latest Scottish Government advice. As part of the return to campus the GSA will be making facemasks available for people who do not have their own. Facemasks are also required to be worn on public transport and other spaces in Scotland. You can read more about this here;

 

 

• If students arrive in Glasgow or Forres from outside the UK or Common Travel Area they may need to quarantine. The GSA has been issuing information to students about this – which can be read here. This information includes what students need to do before they leave to travel to Glasgow, what they need to do if they are required to quarantine / what support the GSA can provide;

 

• Information on GSASA Freshers’ Week has now been published and can be read this here;

 

• As part of the GSA community students play an important role in ensuring a safe campus and environment for everyone.

 

In summary:

• Academic Year 2020-2021 will commence on 14 September 2020 as planned. Teaching and academic engagement with programmes will start from this date;

 

• Teaching starts with inductions on the 14 September – online, both Programme-based and the GSA Central Induction (available on Canvas during week commencing 7 September). Inductions should be completed prior to return to campus on 5th October;

 

• Access to buildings will commence from 8am Monday 5 October. Note this is subject to any change in guidance or instruction from the Scottish Government;

 

• One day per week studio access is planned from 5 October via timetabled access detailed by Programme teams. Studio is a space of making. Tuition and engagement with academics has moved online – we have supported new forms of tutor engagement, exploration and digital creation through investment in software;

 

• Library Services and Technical Support Services are to open from 5 October, although students can continue to access digital resources and inductions remotely. The GSA will confirm how access to Archives and Collections and the Centre for Advanced Textiles after the 5 October will operate in due course;

 

• Return (or arrival if for new students) to Glasgow (or Forres) is expected unless prevented by travel restrictions due to Covid-19. The GSA will be working on the basis that students are in Glasgow (or Forres), although those obliged to work remotely (shielding, quarantine, travel restrictions etc.) will be supported in doing so;

 

• Availability of on-campus facilities is informed by the Scottish Government (including public health) guidance and instruction and the GSA is putting in place processes for reviewing this in-line with the Scottish Government route map. The GSA will continue to update students every two-weeks, as currently. If we are able to make changes outwith this cycle of communications students will be advised via email, CANVAS and the GSA Student Intranet;

 

• On-campus access to Registry, School Administration or any other student facing service (e.g. Finance, Student Support Services) is by appointment only and use of digital communication (email, Zoom, Student IT helpdesk) should continue to be used in the first instance.

 

 

The GSA understands that its students are amongst the best in the world and have worked incredibly hard to secure a place here. Equally, we know from the work produced the Graduate and Postgraduate Showcases, that our students are all capable of producing astonishing work, even in the most complex and challenging context.

 

While the current context has changed the environment in which we are all working and the GSA’s art school experience has adapted, the GSA remains committed to supporting students in realising their creative potential.  As a generation of art school students this will be different to any one that has gone before, but it will be just as good, just as capable of responding to the world and of producing excellent work.