Live updates: Classroom teaching to be cancelled from Wednesday due to coronavirus

By News Team

This news comes after it was confirmed yesterday that a Bristol student has been diagnosed with coronavirus

During a webinar with staff earlier today the University confirmed that classroom teaching will end as of Wednesday 18 March, as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus (coronavirus).

This will allow the University to prepare to transition to online education with the expectation that most learning and assessment can be delivered online after the Easter holidays.

Key Information

The University will remain open including libraries, research facilities and wellbeing support for staff and students, although this may be scaled back as the situation develops.

Teaching is planned to continue from April 20.

The University has said that they anticipate that many learning activities and assessments will transition online after Easter, to deliver 'the best possible learning outcomes'.

Further advice related to individual programmes and exams and assessments due in the period 19 – 27 March will be provided early next week.

The University is currently not cancelling summer graduations but this will be subject to review.

There are also no plans at present to cancel summer assessments, but individual student assessments may be adjusted.

All overseas field trips have been cancelled. UK fieldtrips are not cancelled at the present time but will be subject to review and changing PHE and Government advice.

Arrangements for students on clinical programmes will be confirmed by individual schools.

The University’s wellbeing services and support will remain available to you throughout the Easter holiday as normal.

University Accommodation

University owned and managed accommodation will remain open. Those who can't travel home or who wish to remain over the Easter break will be able to do so.

Final Year Students

Students in final years with outstanding assessments or projects that require continued access to University premises, e.g. laboratory experiments, have been advised to contact their supervisors to discuss individual arrangements for completing these.

Supervision for final year projects and assessments should still be accessible, although this may take place online. The University have also asked that students working on group projects consider taking related meetings online.

Bristol SU Election Results event cancelled

Tonight's SU election results event at the Balloon Bar has been cancelled. Instead, candidates will be contacted via email, and results posted on the organisation's website and social media channels at 6pm.

Medical Students

All clinical teaching on NHS premises for medical students in years 1-4 will be cancelled from 8am on Monday morning 16 March. This will continue for a period of at least five weeks.

Teaching for year 5 students will continue and the University has confirmed that their graduation is not at risk.

In an email, the MB ChB Programme Directors said: 'We are prioritising the teaching of year 5 students to ensure that they are as well prepared as possible for starting work as Foundation Doctors; their graduation is not at risk.

'There is an expectation that, even though clinical teaching will be suspended for students in years 1-4, you will continue with self-guided learning'

Veterinary Students

Despite in-class teaching ending on Wednesday 18 March, fourth year Veterinary students are to sit their CVS2 exams as originally scheduled, ending at lunchtime on Friday 20 March.

However, Veterinary exams planned to be taken later this month have been suspended.

Students should check individually whether their exams or teaching hours have been suspended.

University Statement

Professor Hugh Brady, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Bristol, said: “COVID-19 represents a very real threat to the health of our students and staff, families and friends, and the citizens of our city. It represents a threat to our academic activities, campus operations, and institutional reputation.

“It is critical that we take a consistent institutional approach and I believe that the package of measures we are implementing is a balanced and proportionate response that is in the best interests of our students, staff and institution.

“This is indeed a very worrying time for us all - professionally and personally - but I am confident that we can harness our collective ingenuity, resolve and passion for our institution to navigate the choppy waters ahead.”

More updates to follow...

Featured Image: Imogen Horton / Epigram

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