COVID-19 Information & Advice

Following the closure of campus, we understand that many of you were worried about the transition to online learning. We continue to receive large amounts of feedback on how you are finding the challenges of online learning, and what we can do to best support you. As a result of your feedback we provided the following actions:

• We shared your concerns about Brightspace with BU, to ensure that changes were made to the service.
• We shared your concerns about your learning content at BU meetings.
• We supported BU’s decision to change the policy around placements, making sure that the process would be as smooth as possible.
• We shared your feedback with BU to support the creation of an extenuating circumstances policy.
• Through our Advice team, we have offered support in how to make sure that you are fully equipped to facilitate learning from home.

Since the start of the crisis, we have received a number of comments relating to your mental health and how you are coping with the current situation. One example of this is: “Students are finding it very difficult to produce high quality level of work with the difficulties of adapting to the new situation and the amount of stresses going on that the moment”. There are over 200 pieces of feedback relating to your wellbeing, and for this we have provided the following actions:

• We have kept our Advice service in operation to support you through any scenario.
• We are constantly fielding and tracking your feedback about student issues, supporting your wellbeing, finances, accommodation and online learning. We are continuing to actively liaise with BU on the wellbeing issues you raise with us.
• Throughout 2021, we are continuing our ongoing conversations with the wellbeing team at BU. Information on the current support offered by BU and SUBU can be found here.

• We set up a continually updated student feedback page with FAQs, key information and an action tracker.
• We have provided clear opportunities of feedback through direct email, our general feedback survey, and through SimOn.
• We established ‘Stay Home with SUBU’ across our social media channels.
• We have enabled our AGM to still take place, and we have continued to support clubs and societies through facilitating online AGMs and continuing to work on our new funding structure.

With the new academic year starting, we understand that many of you are concerned and unsure about returning to campus. From online learning to accommodation, we are here to answer your questions and make sure that you have the best possible time at university, regardless of the circumstances. So far, we have provided the following actions:

• We will be maintaing this webpage to reflect any changes and updates to services offered by BU and SUBU.
• We have done our best to keep a 'normal' feel to campus by re-opening some of our outlets.
• We have worked hard to deliver as many Freshers' activities as possible, including in-person and online events.
• We we will continue to represent your concerns and worries to BU. Returning students can still submit responses to our survey here.

At SUBU, your student voice informs eveything we do. During the Pandemic, we have continued to provide you with opportunities to give feedback and we have been rapdily acting on this information. So far, we have used your feedback in the following ways:

• We gathered your feedback to inform BU's No Detriment Policy for 2019/20. This was crucial in securing this assessment safety net for students
• We ran our We Are Freshers and We Are Returners surveys. These results were communicated with key members of staff at BU and has informed the information provided on this page. We will also be sharing these results more widely with students.
• We have continued to present your feedback to key staff members at both SUBU and BU. This feedback has been used to inform key decisions made at meetings, such as the No Detriment Policy, and it also informs the way we communicate with you.
• We meet bi-weekly with your elected officers to discuss any recent student issues, obtained from multiple channels including SimOn and any direct emails to officers. We then monitor these issues and work to develop a clear action plan to resolve these problems and have a positive impact on your student experience
• We are currently in discussion with BU on how to improve the new Protecting Student Outcomes policy and how best to communicate the policy with students. Your feedback is crucial in this process.

We understand that many of you have concerns about how your accommodation provider will adhere to Covid-19 safety measures, such as enforcing household bubbles, social distancing and regular cleaning of communal areas.

BU have updated their page on accommodation and have included further information on the safety measures of each provider.

Due to the impact of Covid-19, all university teaching for the new academic year 2020/21 will be a blend of online and in-person teaching. Further details relating to your specific course can be found in your timetable on Brightspace. We understand that this is a difficult period as we adjust to new ways of working, and we want to make sure that your voice remains heard throughout this process.

BU have recently developed a new area in Me@BU called Online Learning@BU, accessed through Brightspace. It includes practical advice about how to use the technology and engage with online learning, in addition to useful information such as support for ALS students and wellbeing advice - please use Online Learning@BU to support your online learning. Further advice from BU can be found here.

• If you have any feedback on your experience of online learning, then please contact your course rep.
• Remember that students up and down the country are in the same boat as you. You can find some helpful tips on studying at home in this article, showing how we are all adapting to this new way of learning.

We understand that due to the blend of online and in-person teaching, some of you are frustrated by ongoing tuition fee payments. New students might be concerned that the experience of univeristy will be very different from what you had imagined.

The Government's statement on fees explains that you should not expect a tuition fee refund if you are receiving adequate online learning and support. If you believe that you are receiving inadequate online learning and support, please contact the relevant member of academic staff.

You are able to apply for student finance up to 9 months after the first day of the academic year for your course. All information relating to student finance can be found on this page.

If you are worried about changes in your household income impacting your student finance application, SFE are able to use an estimated income for the current tax year. More information can be found here.

We understand that this is a difficult time for you, as we face a future of uncertainty with limited options to take our mind off the situation at hand. Now, more than ever, is a time to invest time in yourself, ensuring that you are taking all the steps necessary to promote positive wellbeing. We are here to help you every step of the way and would like to take this opportunity to remind you of the support we can offer.

• Keep an eye on our social media channels for tips on how to stay well whilst staying at home. Find us on Instagram, Facebook and even Spotify for our specially-made relaxing playlist.
• You can find our Stay Home with SUBU group on Facebook, giving you the opportunity to stay in touch with the SUBU community.
• You can still reach SUBU Advice for email appointments by contacting subuadvice@bournemouth.ac.uk. Whilst they are not a counselling service, they will be able to signpost you to the support you need.
• Bournemouth University offer their own wellbeing service which you can still access. They also have a helpful list of resources should you need any further support.

Whilst there is a world of resources online for mental health support, we understand that this can sometimes feel overwhelming and often you’re not even sure where to begin or who to reach out to. We have put together a list of the most accessible resources should you need any extra support through this difficult time.

• The Office for Students (OfS) have released a useful briefing on diffferent ways that students' mental health and wellbeing is being supported at this time.
• Big White Wall is an anonymous, online community run by trained mental health professionals. They also offer additional information, such as programmes on sleep, anxiety and depression. This service is free to all BU students.
• Student Minds is a charity that supports students to develop the skills needed to look after their mental health. Their website contains helpful information on accessing support.
• Connection is a 24/7 metal health helpline open to all Dorset residents. You can call them directly on 0300 123 5440.
• Samaritans is a 24/7 listening service run by volunteers for anyone in need. These volunteers are not medically trained; however, they offer listening and support to anyone who may need it. They can be reached by calling 116 123.

BU offers financial support to students through its Small Emergency Grant, Emergency Loan and BU Financial Support Fund.

BU's immigration help and advice for International Students on Tier 4 visas can be found here. We can confirm that should you wish or need to return home because of the impact of Covid-19, you should inform BU of your intention to leave the UK by contacting AskBU. The UKVI website says sponsors do not need to report student absences related to coronavirus which they have authorised.

• Immigration support is still available through BU. Please email immigration@bournemouth.ac.uk or call 01202 969696 between 10am-4pm.
• You can receive assistance from the Government by contracting the Coronavirus Immigration Help Centre. You can reach them by sending an email to CIH@homeoffice.gov.uk or by calling 0800 678 1767 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, calls are free of charge).
• UKCISA are offering advice on their website, as are Study UK.
• SUBU Advice can help with signposting you to the right service. They can still be reached by email at subuadvice@bournemouth.ac.uk.
• Under the new guidelines, international students at BU who are unable to engage with their studies online for over 60 days due to Covid-19, will not be reported. In addition, T4 students can engage with their studies online either from their home country or within the UK (including if they need to self-isolate but have no symptoms). These students also do not need to be reported to the Home Office. Further information can be found in BU's dedicated FAQs.

SUBU’s Advice service is continuing as normal. Whilst they cannot offer direct counselling, they can signpost you to the right support. Please contact the team by email: subuadvice@bournemouth.ac.uk.

You can also find wellbeing advice on our website and through our social media channels. BU also have a dedicated page for wellbeing support through the crisis and a general wellbeing page with links to useful resources and support channels. These are both continually updated as the situation develops.

External support also remains in place, with Student Minds offering a range of resources for help and guidance. We would like to remind you that the Dorset Mental Health advice line can still be reached through Connection, a 24/7 service accessed by calling 0300 123 5440.

SUBU Advice are available via email to answer any financial and budgeting concerns. They can signpost you to the appropriate service and support from BU.

In addtion, CareersBU and SUBU Volunteering will be hosting an online Part-Time and Volunteering jobs fair on 23rd September.

It is very important that you follow government guidelines if you are quarantining. SUBU Advice are available via phone or email to support you during this period. They can advise you on available academic support and signpost you to other wellbeing services.

Please contact your accommodation provider who will be able to support you with self-isolating.

SUBU Advice are on hand to discuss your options. They will be able to signpost you to appropriate academic or wellbeing support offered by BU.

We understand that this is a difficult period for new students and we want to remind you that we are here to support you and your needs through this time.

You can still talk to a member of our Advice team, or contact our officers directly. You can also submit Covid-19 related feedback online, which is checked regularly by a member of the Student Voice and Policy team.

We understand that there is a growing frustration amongst the national student community about value for money from the university. With both the strike action and Coronavirus, we understand that some of our students consider they have not received the education they expected to.

However, the university is following guidance and advice from the UK Government and Public Health England, continuing online teaching and assessments for the majority of our students.

At the time of writing, BU’s position remains that they are unable to refund tuition fees for students. For now, our main concern is supporting you through the situation as it stands, and we welcome your feedback.

BU have created a webpageto support online studying.

Due to the recent national lockdown, the Student Centre will be closed. If you need to contact a member of our team, please email the relevant staff member.

Due to the restrictions imposed by the current Lockdown and student testing, our outlets remain closed.

As always, we thank you for your understanding. Our Covid-19 Information and Guidance page will be updated regularly, so please check this when you can. We will keep you updated as things continue to develop, and we hope to be back to full service as soon as possible.

We are in constant communication with BU in order to ensure that your views are heard and that disruption to your student experience is at a minimum.

We have provided representatives at BU with your views, expressed through our rep team, to ensure that your feedback is at the forefront of every process. This has led to changes such as the introduction of a ‘no detriment’ policy, guaranteeing that your assessments will not negatively impact your grades.

Your elected officers are also in contact with representatives at BU, lobbying them on issues such as finance and accommodation to make sure that the best possible outcome for our students is reached.

Services remain open, however appointments should still be made through phone or telephone. Further details can be found on the Advice webpage.

The next SUBU Summit event will be taking place on 16th February 2021.

With the newly launched SUBU Summit, we have also created an ideas platform where you can sumbit any idea for change you would like to see at SUBU. In addition, any feedback on our response to Coronavirus can be given here.

The decision to postpone Freshers' did not come easily, but we felt we had to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of our staff and students. Whilst we work on an alternative solution, we are still working hard to plan a host of virtual and online activities for new and returning students. For more information on our arrivals events, please have a look at SUBU Online Welcome.

Yes! Our clubs and societies will be ready to welcome you with a programme of online and in-person events.

We are still hosting a series of events where you can get to know out Clubs and Societies team and our wide range of committees.

BU have a dedicated page on Coronavirus. Here you will find latest updates from key staff members, wellbeing support and their series of FAQs.

Your newly elected Officers for 20/21 are ready to deal with any of your queries. Their emails can be found here. We are also excited to launch Officer Question Time, you chance to ask your elected FTOs any questions you have on their work.