Accommodation Services

What does the publication of the Scottish Government timetable mean for us? 

On 16 March, the Scottish Government announced an indicative timetable for easing of COVID-19 restrictions across Scotland over the coming weeks and months. 

This included some updates for higher education, meaning we can plan with more certainty for on-campus activities restarting in the future. 

It is important to note that changes to the Protection Levels rely on transmission rates continuing to fall. This is likely to be a rapidly changing situation. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and will update colleagues and students as guidance is received.  

Full details of the announcement can be found on the Scottish Government webpages 

 Student Travel  

The current guidance remains that students (undergraduate and postgraduate taught) should only travel to campus if required by your course, or for wellbeing reasons. 

We know that some students may have been hoping to travel home over the Easter holiday period. However, the Scottish Government guidance outlines that students should only travel to or from their term-time accommodation over the Easter holiday period if they have a reasonable excuse to do so. Students who travel without a reasonable excuse will be committing an offence. Anyone staying in term-time accommodation is free to move home for the end of the semester, provided they follow the relevant travel safety guidance. If you stay in University residences, you should contact Accommodation Services on accom@glasgow.ac.uk  to confirm the arrangements and check out. 

From 5 April, we will move into Phase 2 of the student travel guidance. Numbers on-campus will continue to be tightly controlled, with return only possible where attendance is time-sensitive to a course or assessment and cannot be done remotely or further postponed. 

From 17 May, the Scottish Government hopes to move to Phase 3 of the student travel guidance, which allows for more on-campus learning activity to take place. We will update you about this as soon as possible. 

Please see the guidance on returning to university for full details. 

Anyone who is travelling to or from campus should book a COVID test and should read the guidance on the University website.

Scottish Government advice remains that most students should not travel to term-time accommodation at this point, and it is unlikely travel will be allowed before the beginning of March. There remain some exceptions to this advice for:

1. those who remained over the winter break,
2. those whose attendance is critical and whose education cannot be delivered remotely or postponed, essential placements, or for reasons of student wellbeing,
3. and for a small number of students with a time-sensitive element to their course who are able to travel from 15 February.

The most recent update regarding the wider ‘stay at home’ messaging indicates that a framework detailing the exit out of the current lockdown restrictions is expected to be published week commencing 22nd February. Once we have further updates from Scottish and UK Governments, we will reopen the application process for further rent rebates, for those in a University accommodation contract who continue to remain at home. These rebates will date from 16th February.

Thank you for your patience.

Lockdown 2021 – Useful Links 

Mainland Scotland and some islands are in lockdown with guidance to stay at home, except for essential purposes. 

You should: 

• wear a face covering 
• only go out if necessary and avoid crowded places 
• clean hands and surfaces regularly 
• Maintain a prudent 2m distance from people outside your household/extended household 
• A maximum of 2 people, aged 12 and over, can meet outdoors for a permitted purpose, if they are not from the same household. 
• self-isolate and book a test if you have COVID-19 symptoms (new continuous cough, fever or loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste) 
• download the Protect Scotland contact tracing app 

More details can be found here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/  

Living Support Team 

Your Living Support Team are here for you and can support you through a wealth of scenarios.  

Full details for the Living Support office hours at your residence can be found here: https://www.uofgliving.co.uk/office-hour-at-the-residences_131149. 

Your safety 

Gatehouse Security: Communal 0141 330 4282 or Emergency 0141 330 4444  

Safezone App: A must have for every member of staff and student at the UofG, the SafeZone App is an app that is monitored 24 hours a day by the UofG Security team ensuring the safety and security of our staff and students - whether it be on campus, at halls or anywhere in between. 
The SafeZone App is a way of helping ensure staff and students feel safe and secure throughout their time at UofG. 

Download the app: https://www.safezoneapp.com/  

Message from CaPS (Counselling and Psychological Service) 

During this difficult and challenging period, it is important we all take the time to look after our mental health. Below we have gathered some information and advice on ways for both staff and students to manage their mental health during this time.  

The World Health Organisation has issued Three Key Messages for managing mental health in relation to the Coronavirus: 

• Avoid watching, reading or listening to news that could cause you anxiety or distress 
• Seek information mainly to take practical steps to prepare your plans and protect yourself 
• Seek Information updates at specific times once or twice during the day. 

If you feel you would benefit from speaking to someone about these external services are available: 

• Breathing Space: 0800 83 85 87 
• Samaritans: 116 123 (0141 248 4488) 
• NHS24: 111 

CaPS contact details: https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/counselling/ 

Phone: 0141 330 4528 or email: studentcounselling@glasgow.ac.uk  

Student Representative Council 

Glasgow University Students’ Representative Council is an independent, student-led organisation, recognised as the representative body for students registered at The University of Glasgow. 

The Advice Centre is an advice, information and representation service provided by the SRC for all Glasgow University students. 

The Advice Team have put together some information based on their most common enquiries during the current COVID-19 pandemic. You’ll find guidance and information on a wide range of issues such as academic appeals, formal and informal complaints, employment rights and financial support  

SRC contact details: https://www.glasgowstudent.net/advice/healthsafetywellbeing/advice-covid-19/ and the Advice Centre can offer you an online appointment via Zoom or Teams. Get in touch via email: advice@src.gla.ac.uk 

Library updates 

Scottish Government restrictions now apply. To allow us to keep the Library open, there will be no access to bookshelves but you can still access the electronic collections: https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/library/specificsearch/  

To allow for physical distancing, there are a significantly reduced number of seats available. You can check how busy the Library is at the Library entrance and in the Library Information section of the UofG Life App or online here: https://www.gla.ac.uk/apps/timetable/#/login  

Opening hours: Monday 10:00 - 20:00, Tuesday - Sunday 08:00 - 20:00 

Peer Wellbeing Support 

Peer Wellbeing Support is a confidential, student-led listening service. It allows students to talk! 

There is no issue too small for Peer Wellbeing Support. Opening up and talking to someone is one of the most effective ways to keep good mental health and can stop your problems becoming overwhelming. Supporters are there to listen and help you explore how you are feeling with empathy and without judgement. They will not tell you what to do. The benefit of speaking with trained, fellow students is the understanding of shared experiences. 

You can have a quick 10 minute chat or stay up to an hour - this is your decision. 

To book a session go to: https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/peersupport/book/