Things to know this week - 16 November 2020

Posted on 16 November 2020

The weekly news summary for taught postgraduate students from the University of York.

Coronavirus: update summary

Covid testing and end of term arrangements
Planning to go ‘home’ for the Christmas break? We are putting plans in place to help you do so safely. We will offer rapid results covid testing on campus by the end of November and would like to get an early indication of how many tests we will need. Tell us what you think.

Pulse survey results from last week with 1442 participants show:

• When asked ‘How are you?’ - 71% of respondents replied they were okay to very happy.
• When asked about teaching preferences: 11% would like face to face teaching, 40% would like online learning only, and 49 % prefer a blend.

1. Funding for students

Emergency Student Support Fund
The Emergency Student Support Fund (ESSF) which provides bursaries of up to £500 to help with Covid related costs is open for applications. This round will close on Tuesday 24 November, with a mid-point review on Tuesday 17 November so that early successful applications can receive payment as quickly as possible.

Individual Student Learning Opportunity Fund
Students that were registered in 2019/20 and affected by industrial action can access the Individual Student Learning Opportunity Fund to pursue further learning opportunities such as books, conferences, online courses, research/archive visits or short courses. 

2. Setting you up with skills

As you progress through your studies, you’ll need to develop your academic, digital, and information skills. Central services like the Library, IT Services and the new Academic Skills Community are here to help. Find out how we can set you up with new skills.

3. Five steps to wellbeing: Keep learning

Earlier this term, we outlined Five steps to wellbeing and this seems especially important during lockdown. This week, we’re focusing on the importance of trying something different and being open to opportunities. We’ve collated some ideas for making the most of lockdown life and things you can do to keep engaged and entertained during lockdown and beyond. And don’t forget to claim your free breakfast sandwich and hot drink in our latest #UoYLockdownLoot giveaway!

Don’t forget - if you want some extra support, you can book on to this week’s wellbeing workshops on overcoming feelings of worry and stress or see our sources of help and support. #UoYWellbeing

4. Student Switch Off climate quiz: Win ice cream!

Take part in the national Student Switch Off competition and if your college has one of the highest percentage of residents completing the quiz, you’ll win 50 big tubs of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream for your college (including dairy-free!)! You’ll also go into the prize draw to win one litre’s worth of Ben and Jerry’s for yourself in your favourite flavour.

5. Christmas card competition: Win an iPad!

Draw, photograph or digitally create a Christmas card and the winning design, chosen by Vice-Chancellor Charlie Jeffery, will be printed and sold on campus and the winner receive an iPad! Why not theme your design around university life, York's amazing campus and wildlife, or lockdown life? Entry deadline: Friday 20 November 2020. Enter the Christmas card competition.

Find more student news on the website

Things to know this week is produced and distributed by the University's Internal Communications Team. Please email any feedback to university-internal-comms@york.ac.uk.