BREAKING NEWS – UoL cancels all face-to-face teaching amid COVID-19 concerns

The University of Liverpool has cancelled all face-to-face methods of teaching for the rest of the 2019/2020 academic year, due to growing coronavirus concerns. All learning has moved online.

Professor Gavin Brown, the Pro-Vice Chancellor for Education, announced the new measures today in an internal email sent out to all students, with the university now choosing to continue with teaching online.

In said email, Professor Brown announced that, “face-to-face lectures, laboratory-based classes, seminars and tutorials at the Liverpool and London campuses are cancelled for the remainder of the 2019/20 academic year.” This action is to come into play as of Monday 16^th March.

He added that students will be able to continue their studies with online resources to limit the impact of coronavirus to the universities students and staff.

Assessment Period

Professor Gavin Brown states that the upcoming assessment period will be affected, alternative means of assessment will be provided wherever possible. However, the details of individual exam replacements are yet to be confirmed.

“This may include essays or open book exams, but please be assured that you will only be assessed in a way your studies have prepared you for.”

Libraries, Services and Uni Accommodation

On-campus services such as the Mental Health Advisory Service and Student Welfare Advice and Guidance will remain open.

The University has assured students that student accommodation will remain open as normal.

The libraries will also remain open, as well as other leisure facilities, with increased health and hygiene regulations in place. The university has stressed that this may change as the impact of the coronavirus outbreak continues to be monitored.

Field trips and any trips abroad have also been cancelled for the remainder of the semester.

Summer Graduation

Despite these measures, the university has assured students that they “fully expect” final years to graduate this summer.

The University stresses that whilst there are no known cases of coronavirus affecting the university community, the well-being of students and staff is of upmost importance to the university, and has been factored into the decision taken.

COVID-19 in the UK

So far the UK has seen more than 1,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus, with 8 of those cases in Liverpool. The death toll has nearly doubled in one day, with 21 deaths linked to the virus so far.

Plans to ban mass gatherings are expected to be unveiled by the UK government next week as the situation remains ever-changing.

Advice

The general guidance remains to wash hands regularly, use hand sanitiser and self-isolate if you’re feeling any symptoms, even if its just a cough.

Read our other article about how to respond to this virus by taking the appropriate precautions – click the link to view!

Co-authors: Mila Vasey