Dear Students
I hope you were able to have some rest and to recharge during the Easter break and I would like to welcome you back for the summer term with the University of Lincoln.
Teaching, learning and revision continues online, in line with government advice, and after a welcome break for the holidays, now is the time to reconnect virtually with your studies, tutors and coursemates.
You should find your scheduled activities and learning resources on Blackboard. You might also want to check in this week with your personal tutor to let them know you are back online and to update them on how you are doing.
Supporting your studies
Alongside your academic work, the University’s support services remain open and available online to help all our students, whether that is adapting to the immediate challenges posed by COVID-19 or planning for your future.
Staff from our Student Support Centre, Student Wellbeing Centre, English Language Centre, Library, and Careers & Employability Service are all here to help you, whether by email, over the phone, or via online workshops. For instance, our Careers Service is running a suite of online events on CV writing, graduate jobs and interview skills. Visit the Careers website to see what’s on. Our Postgraduate Team is also running various online events for undergraduates interested in progressing onto Master’s level study.
Please don’t forget that your tutors are also available to support you – many programmes are running online revision and drop-in sessions at this time of year – or you can arrange a one-to-one online appointment if you have questions or just want to see a friendly face.
End-of-year assessments
We know one of the most important questions students have is about how they will be assessed this summer. A great deal of work has been happening behind the scenes since the Government confirmed that no face-to-face assessments should take place in universities this academic year because of COVID-19.
Before Easter, you will have had details through from your academic School about assessment methods for your subject and year group. For students undertaking ‘time constrained assessments’, the timetable is now available. For other deadlines relating to short format assignments and other types of coursework, your academic School will have provided this information and will be happy to answer any questions.
Revising and preparing for assessments is always challenging, and the University’s Digital Student Life team will be publishing some top tips from later this week, helping you adapt to the current situation and preparing you for the new formats if these are part of your programme.
Safety Net
We also announced before Easter, following a meeting of the University’s Academic Board, the University was developing a ‘Safety Net’ policy for students to mitigate potential impacts on student outcomes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This policy will apply to undergraduate students at Level/Year 2 and above and postgraduate taught students where accrediting bodies allow. This is in line with other universities across the country and in line with national standards agencies.
Developing the Safety Net is a complex process involving multiple stakeholders including meeting all the requirements of national and professional regulatory bodies. Our Students Union Sabbatical Officers have been an important part of these discussions. Your School will be communicating with you with the details of the Safety Net, and all students should be aware of the process for their programme and cohort from Monday 27th April. For the latest on this, please check your University email regularly and see the University’s online FAQs and Information for Students at www.lincoln.ac.uk/coronavirus
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your patience and positive attitudes while we navigate this challenging time. All staff at the University are working hard, with your interests always placed first, to do our best for you and to help you succeed in your studies. I am extremely grateful to all staff and students who have shown such dedication, commitment and ingenuity in difficult circumstances.
With best wishes
Professor Liz Mossop
Deputy Vice Chancellor