Newsletter sent on 23 April

Hi, and welcome to the latest student newsletter. Term for many starts on Monday, and we know lots of you have been away from Leeds over the break – if you have been, then welcome back – there's been a few changes round here!   

Life on campus overview 

On Monday 12 April, the lockdown restrictions lifted further, as part of the UK Government’s road map. Find out the full list of changes at gov.uk. If you’ve been away from Leeds and are returning, then here’s what it means for campus life.  

The Edge re-opened again. If you’re looking to go, you’ll need to book your place. Many of the outside facilities are also open, including Sports Park Weetwood and Bodington Cycle Circuit.  

Keep up to date with specific arrangements:  

From Monday 26 April    

  • Further study spaces open and more will become available over the coming weeks.   

  • Student Information Points open   

  • Common Ground cafe opens for takeaway   

  • Extra external catering van adjacent to Chancellors Court    

  • Nero LUBS opens for takeaway   

  • Leeds University Union returns to seven-day trading   

  • Old Bar outdoor space reopens.  

Although there’s more opportunity to study on campus, the restrictions mean that studying from your home is still very much an important thing to do. It’s also a skill that will be increasingly important in the workplace in future years. Find out how to work successfully from home.  

if you have any trouble accessing learning online you can speak to your Academic Personal Tutor who may be able to arrange a loan laptop for you. They may able be able to help with data and sim cards too.  Remember that IT have a range of software available for you to use on you personal devices. 

Testing   

Free covid-19 lateral flow testing is now available to everyone in England not showing coronavirus symptoms. All staff, students and postgraduate researchers are asked to take two tests each week to help prevent transmission of the virus. You can get rapid tests to do at home from your local pharmacy, a PCR test site or you can get them sent to your home.    

You can also book a free test at our campus test site.    

If you are showing symptoms, you must not book an asymptomatic test. Instead, you must book a test through the NHS Test and Trace Service.       

If you test positive at any time for covid-19 please remember to let us know so we can support you    

Keeping safe in Leeds   

With the changes to restrictions, we've collected all of the safety information together in one place for, from being safe on campus, nights out to online safety and more.   

Accommodation news  

Yesterday, we sent you an email if you are in University accommodation, and how to qualify for a rent refund. If you missed this, check your inbox or see information about rent rebates for all students in University-allocated accommodation. 

Private accommodation  

If you’re looking for private accommodation, then here’s some helpful links:  

Apply to stay in halls next year!   

Anyone can apply for University halls – they're not just for freshers!   

If you’re a returning student not covered by our accommodation guarantee then you can now apply to stay in any of our halls – including rooms at our most popular residences such as Charles Morris, CitySide and Central Village.   

  • Rent includes WiFi, energy bills and free laundry credits  

  • Free Edge Club Membership (subject to permitted opening of the facility and contract terms)  

  • Only £200 deposit and no guarantor needed  

  • Shorter contracts – no summer rent to pay!   

Most of our residences have some spaces available, but they are not unlimited so if you are interested, please apply as soon as possible to secure an offer through our Accommodation Portal. For more information, visit our returning next year page.  

Assessments 

With assessments for many beginning in a month, you’ll have already received your assessment timetable by module. We’ll be sharing a lot more information, from how to prepare, top tips on revision and looking after yourself during the assessment period soon.  In the meantime, find out more about University assessments. 

Are you a bin bag big shot?  

With sunny weather and warm temperatures, going out to the park is something lots of you will have done. If you’re going, take bin bags with you to bag up your rubbish. We all have a responsibility to look after the environment.   

If you’ve volunteered to clean up on the morning after sunny days, then thank you too!   

Ramadan at University  

The Islamic Society, Ahlul Bayt Society, the Muslim Chaplain, the Catering Team and many other contributors are very happy to announce a very comprehensive Ramadan Programme. This programme is open to all and genuinely we are indebted to every single person who has made this happen for 2021, knowing how difficult things still are.    

The programme covers the Green Room having a longer opening time until 11pm throughout the whole week, also an opportunity to book for Taraweeh every night, daily hot iftaars, weekly iftaar boxes provided by the catering team, etc.    

For the full Ramadan program this year please visit: https://leeds.isoc.link/ramadan  

Technology update 


 If you haven’t already enrolled in Duo Security, a two-factor authentication system, look out for your enrolment email next week. Duo is the same kind of system that is used by online banking and online shopping sites.  When you receive your personalised enrolment email please follow the instructions and set it up as soon as you can, and before you can use the Virtual Windows Desktop. (The email is personal to you – so it won’t work if you share it!) You can find out more on the IT website. 

You can now use Single Sign-On (SSO) to join FutureLearn Campus and enjoy the benefits of free upgraded access to a range of short online courses developed by Leeds and some other universities. 

Changes to parking on campus  

Free parking on campus during core hours will end from Monday 3 May and the temporary ‘Interim Permit’ system introduced last year will be reinstated. Follow the guidance on the car parking webpage if you’re working on campus and need a permit. Existing Interim Permits will be reinstated automatically.  

The Gryphon Get Together  

Leeds Sport and LUU have been supporting students and providing a sense of belonging to our Uni community as we emerge from pandemic.  

The Gryphon get together is co -created by LUU student activity officers, it’s being co- delivered by students and has a real focus on inclusion, diversity and health and wellbeing. Why not get involved?  

Volunteering through Sport  

Volunteering has been a quiet force during the pandemic with good Samaritans everywhere contributing, connecting and supporting others. Leeds Sport has put together a wide range of opportunities to get involved with – and they aren’t all about taking part in sport either. Find out more