Please continue to check our coronavirus website( https://coronavirus.leeds.ac.uk/ ) for the latest information and guidance. If you have any questions that aren’t answered below or in our frequently asked questions( https://coronavirus.leeds.ac.uk/student-advice/student-faqs/ ), please contact your School’s student support office. We’re sharing lots of practical tips and information through students.leeds.ac.uk, our Facebook group for current students and @UoLStudents on Twitter.
Supporting you over the Easter break
From the afternoon of 9 April, most University services and staff will not be available as the University closes for the Easter bank holiday. The University opens again on Wednesday 15 April and you will be able to contact your school and other services as usual then. Here’s some information about how to get the support you need while the University is closed during the Easter bank holiday.
University Security Services
Security Services are the main point of contact for any urgent support and assistance over the Easter bank holiday weekend and continue to provide a 24 hour service across campus and residences. They are dedicated to providing students with a safe, welcoming and secure environment. If you need to contact Security Services, call 0113 343 5494 or 0113 343 2222 in an emergency. In an emergency situation, please also dial 999 to alert the emergency services first.
If you need face-to-face advice and support, you can video call the Security Services through WhatsApp on 07876 866747. If you do need to see them in person, the Security Office at 175 Woodhouse Lane( http://www.leeds.ac.uk/campusmap?location=9156 ) will still be remaining open as an essential service during this time.
More help and advice is also available on the Security Services’ website www.leeds.ac.uk/security.
Halls of residence support
Although Wardens and Subwardens are not on duty for the duration of the Easter holidays, you can still get help if you need it. Over the Easter weekend if you need support or assistance please contact University Security Services, or if applicable, the security team or night staff at your residence. From Wednesday 15 April you can contact Residence Life( residencelife@leeds.ac.uk ) for non-urgent support. Wardens and Subwardens will resume their duties at 8am on Saturday 25 April.
Other useful contacts and links
• Find information on how to contact Leeds University Union’s student help and support team( https://www.luu.org.uk/student-help-support/ ). LUU’s Knowledge Owl( https://leedsuniversityunion.knowledgeowl.com/help ) is also full of guidance and advice.
• See details about systems you can use remotely to continue your learning( https://coronavirus.leeds.ac.uk/student-advice/online-learning-advice-for-students/university-systems-for-remote-learning/ ). The IT website( https://it.leeds.ac.uk/ ) also provides useful information about these and guidance on using Office 365.
• We’ve provided a list of services( https://coronavirus.leeds.ac.uk/student-advice/support-and-wellbeing/ ) you can contact and speak to anonymously about the current situation, and any feelings you may be experiencing.
• Leeds City Council( https://www.leeds.gov.uk/coronavirus ) have provided some useful links to local services you can access.
Our contacts page on the coronavirus website( https://coronavirus.leeds.ac.uk/contact-us/ ) provides details of how to contact different teams and services.
Although many of these will be unavailable over Easter, some teams may still be checking emails during this period for any urgent requests that may come through.
Advice for International Students
We know that many of you who are still in Leeds are international students. We recognise that this is a very difficult time for you. Please find additional advice and support for international students( https://coronavirus.leeds.ac.uk/student-advice/support-and-wellbeing/advice-and-support-for-international-students/ ).
Looking after yourself
It’s important to take time out to look after yourself.
• The National Health Service (NHS) has put together ten tips to help you if you’re feeling worried about coronavirus( https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/coronavirus-covid-19-anxiety-tips/?gclid=CjwKCAjwpqv0BRABEiwA-TySwdWAVd27iNB2BoM1umnwAAh8SUut-XBbpD_7BQmZ6uS-eLd1itSDvxoCDwQQAvD_BwE ). • Welfare Officer on the LUU exec has put together some great resources in her Pandemic welfare and self-care for the University student( https://medium.com/@a.wells/pandemic-welfare-self-care-for-the-university-student-849a66ab4dfb ) article on Medium. • Our Sports and Physical Activity service has launched a new fitness and wellbeing hub: ‘your home, your move’( https://sport.leeds.ac.uk/the-edge/yourhomeyourmove/ ). They’re sharing content about sleep, nutrition, fitness and routine on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, every week. • Big White Wall can be accessed remotely( https://www.bigwhitewall.com/ ). • The National Health Service (NHS) has put together ten tips to help you if you’re feeling worried about coronavirus( https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/coronavirus-covid-19-anxiety-tips/?gclid=CjwKCAjwpqv0BRABEiwA-TySwdWAVd27iNB2BoM1umnwAAh8SUut-XBbpD_7BQmZ6uS-eLd1itSDvxoCDwQQAvD_BwE )
Keeping in touch with others
We know that many of our students have returned home, whether that is in the UK or internationally. This in itself presents a challenge of staying in touch with one another as time differences and new routines can make this difficult. Our page on the student website provide tips of staying connected to our University community( https://students.leeds.ac.uk/info/21504/living_in_the_uk/1309/staying_connected ).
Our social media team has also put together this great blog on using technology to stay social( https://medium.com/@UniversityofLeeds/eight-ways-to-stay-social-online-7033e49e03c ).
Don’t forget, you can see what you can do at the Virtual Union( https://www.luu.org.uk/virtual-union/ ). LUU Execs have also set up a Covid-19 Facebook support group( https://www.facebook.com/groups/leedsstudentcommunitygroup/?source_id=17446621522 ) you can join.
Financial support
We recognise that many of you may have financial concerns due to what’s going on around us. The Leeds Hardship Fund( https://students.leeds.ac.uk/info/10231/leeds_hardship_fund ) is available to those of you who may need financial support. We know many students are away from campus at the moment, and so you can request a form by emailing the Funding team( funding@leeds.ac.uk ). Please include your name and student ID in the email. If you are eligible to apply, you will be sent an application form by email, along with further instructions. If your financial hardship relates directly to changed circumstances resulting from the COVID-19 situation please state this clearly within the email. Details about your situation can then be provided as part of the application supporting statement. Please email the team directly if you have any questions: funding@leeds.ac.uk.
Additional financial support may be available to you through the Government( https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus ) and the LUU( https://www.luu.org.uk/student-help-support/coronavirus-covid-19-were-still-here-to-help-students/ ).
Stay up to date with your learning and future plans
Minerva upgrade during Easter Minerva will be unavailable from 4pm on Monday 13 April until 1pm Tuesday 14 April. This is an essential upgrade. While Minerva is being upgraded it will not be available and you won’t have access to content. Please plan this by retrieving material you know you will need in advance.
LinkedIn Learning Have you watched a video on LinkedIn Learning? Between 23 March and 24 April 2020, you’ll be entered into a prize draw to win one of three £100 Love2Shop vouchers, with Easter egg runner-up prizes. The more videos you watch, the more entries to the prize draw you'll have. If you've never used LinkedIn Learning before see the quick start guide on the IT website( https://it.leeds.ac.uk/linkedin ).
Careers appointments available online
Worried about what the coronavirus outbreak means for your future? You can speak to one of our experts in an online appointment – whether you’re a first or second year student considering work placements, or you’re a final year thinking about applying for jobs.
Check out our new webpage for advice on appointments( http://careerweb.leeds.ac.uk/coronavirus ), and some links to useful resources you can use from home. You can also follow @leedsunicareers on Instagram and Twitter for daily content.