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University updates following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II

Posted on 12 September 2022

Information about University plans and a message from our Vice-Chancellor, following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.

A message from our Vice-Chancellor

Read our message from the Vice-Chancellor responding to news about The Queen.

Reflections and prayer

The University has made arrangements for staff and students to come together for reflections and prayer.

We know that there will be different personal responses to this news, and that many will feel a deep sense of sadness. We would like to offer an opportunity for members of the University community, from all faiths and none, to gather for prayer, to reflect or pay their respects.

Date and time: Friday 16 September, 2pm to 2.45pm

Venue: The Treehouse, Berrick Saul building (Find directions and accessibility information to the Treehouse.)

To book your place please contact: equality@york.ac.uk (for refreshment purposes).

If you are unable to attend on campus, you can still join the live stream.

National period of mourning, state funeral arrangements and City of York events

National period of mourning

A period of National Mourning for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has now started and will continue until the end of the day of the State Funeral. Further information can be found on the UK’s Government website.

The Government has stated that there is no obligation to cancel or postpone events during the period of national mourning, or to close entertainment venues.

State funeral

The Queen's state funeral will take place on Monday 19 September, which will be an extraordinary national holiday and day of mourning.

Opportunities to pay your respects across the City

If you wish to pay your respects to the Royal Family, there are a number of events taking place across the city, including a civic event at the Minster on Sunday 18 September. Floral tributes can be left at the Council’s West Offices and the Minster, and a Book of Condolence has also been set up in the booking hall at West Office.

Changes to University plans and operations

National mourning period

University events, research, and teaching and learning will continue as normal during the mourning period.

We appreciate that individuals may wish to make changes at their own discretion, to acknowledge that many in our community may wish to mark the significance of the mourning period.

We are following half-masting of flags protocol to visibly demonstrate our remembrance and we are making plans to screen the state funeral on campus.

Public holiday Monday 19 September

We will be operating our normal public holiday procedures for Monday 19 September, which is the extraordinary national holiday on the day of the State Funeral.

• Staff who would normally be working on this day, but are not required to work, will take the day as an additional public holiday day.
• Staff who would normally work a part day, but are not required to work, will be given an additional leave allowance pro-rata with their FTE.
• Academic, teaching, research and support staff who are needed to maintain the University's core activities on Monday 19 September will be required to work as normal. You will be granted one additional day of leave in lieu, to be taken in agreement with your line manager. This will be pro-rata for part time staff.

IT service support will be available to students and staff on 19 September, at itsupport@york.ac.uk or on 01904 323838 between 10am - 4pm.

More information will be provided on our HR website.

Key decisions about University events

• Open Days: We will continue with our planned undergraduate open days on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 September, ensuring we are appropriately marking the tone of the day.

• PG Arrivals: we appreciate some activities and events need to continue on Monday 19 September, including our Arrivals Day to welcome many of our new postgraduates who still wish to travel to York to join us on this day. Thank you to all staff supporting this welcome.

Help and support

If you have been impacted by this news and would like some support, please see our HR and Student Support web pages. 

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