Reporting Covid-19 symptoms and Coronavirus dashboard

A reminder that we are asking all staff and students to fill in the Covid-19 symptoms or self isolation reporting form.

We are keeping staff updated with the latest positive cases on campus via a dashboard for Covid-19 reporting and information to share with you twice-weekly the number of cases amongst our campus community.

Staff and students are being asked to download and use the NHS Covid-19 contact-tracing app. Some users of the app have reported receiving a message notification titled ‘Covid-19 exposure logging’. This FAQ from the NHS explains why, and what this means.   

Mobile testing unit update

The mobile testing unit will be operating on campus again this weekend, on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 October.

It will be located in the Arts Carpark (no.7A).  This testing facility is for people who are displaying Covid-19 symptoms.  So if you are concerned that you have Covid-19 symptoms, you should book a test through the national booking system https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test

How we are supporting students self-isolating on campus

Colleagues have been working hard to support students currently self-isolating on campus, and ensuring they have access to the necessary food, cleaning products, support and information.

The University has agreed a new financial package of support for students who are required to self-isolate both on campus and off campus.  This includes financial assistance to purchase food and essential items, and help with laundry services and cleaning materials.  We are also putting in place measures to make sure that any student who does test positive for Covid-19 is delivered a free hot meal if they are on campus, or that they receive additional funds to order take-away food if they are off campus. 
 
We are also setting up a hotline so we can provide answers to students and concerned parents to ensure they are signposted to the appropriate support. 
 
And we continue to update the Student Hub so students, both on and off campus, have access to the information they need.

Phased return to campus events

We will be holding two webinars on the following dates and we have capacity for up to 500 staff at each webinar.  The events are designed to share with staff all the health and safety measures that are in place across the campus, as well as the latest HR guidance.  The webinars will be jointed hosted by:

Director of HR - Siobhan O’Reilly

General Counsel and Director of Planning & Governance Services – Bridget Edminson

Director of Estates and Commercial Services – Robert Hutton

Head of Technology Enhanced Learning – David Walker

• Wednesday 14 October; 1.30 pm – 2.30 pm
• Wednesday 21 October; 2.00 pm – 3.00 pm

Each hour session will include approximately 30 minutes presentation and 30 minutes Q&A.

Home working station assessments

For those staff who are currently required to work from home it is important you identify what you think you need and to speak with your line manager.

IT Services are providing regular updates and posting information on the ITS webpages.  

There is guidance on how to assess your home workstation and a template for assessing your home workstation.

The Health and Safety Executive has also produced a helpful video on how to setup a workstation which is available, along with other helpful resources, on our Covid-19 resources page under the drop down menu ‘home working’.

If you do have concerns about wellbeing/safety at home please speak to your line manager or HR Business Partner.

Chartwells and food provision

Don’t forget there are plenty of new food options and easier ways for staff to get the food they want in the ways they want it – like our click and collect services, ordering on the Time2Eat app, picking up a takeaway, eating a meal in our venues like Eat Central.

Staff are encouraged to download the free Time2Eat app from the Android or Apple store and then enter “sussex” to enjoy all of its features.