As we move into the recovery phase of the Covid-19 pandemic, planning is underway for staff and students’ return to campus life.

No date has been set for us to return to campus. The decision on when we will be able to return will be informed by Government guidelines on the continuing lockdown and any easing of restrictions which may follow in the weeks to come.

The health, safety and wellbeing of our staff and students is our key priority and our return to campus will be managed in such a way to ensure that we adhere to public health guidelines and protect our University community.

Any questions you may have can be submitted to staffcommunications@napier.ac.uk.

Getting on campus

We've changed the process for accessing our campuses - you'll find full details of what you need to do to get on site here​.

Returning to campus? The current versions of the following health and safety documentation are available via the Health & Safety intranet page:

• Overarching University Covid-19 Return to Work Risk Assessment
• Covid-19 Return to Work Health & Safety Guidance
• Managers safe return to campus checklist
• Employee safe return to campus checklist​

Some colleagues will be returning to work on campus on a regular basis and we’ve developed the following guidance and FAQs to help them do so:  

• Staff FAQs answering key questions colleagues may have before returning to work​​ (updated 3 August)
• Manager guidance for supporting their teams in getting back on campus​​ (updated 15 July)
• Manager guidance for supporting vulnerable colleagues, including risk assessment

Guidance for colleagues and students regarding resuming research activities can be found here.​

Getting to campus

If you need to travel to the University, please plan ahead. Visit Transport​Scotland​ for the latest Scottish Government advice and up-to-date guidance on public transport and active travel.

However you travel, be clear on the facilities available and rules in place before you start your journey. Keep in mind that many public transport operators are running reduced services.

For more information on the different travel options for getting to campus, visit our transport and travel pages for staff and students.​

Latest updates​

An operational update from Andy McGoff, published on 27 July, can be found here​.

Previous updates​

An update from Michael Greenhalgh on student recruitment, published on 22 July, can be found here​.

We're reopening our on-campus catering outlets from Monday 20 July - full details here​.

An update from Alyson Tobin on preparing your teaching for trimester 1 can be found here.

An update from Andrea on our Returning to Campus Life plans, published on Thursday 25 June, can be found here.

A message from Alyson Tobin to all academic staff, regarding the preparation of teaching for trimester 1, published on Wednesday 24 June, can be found here​.​

The latest video message from Andrea, in which she provides an update on how our 'Back to Campus' plans are progressing, shares details of a couple of new faces and a few who are moving on, and why we have to do more for the Edinburgh Napier community to be free from any form of discrimination, can be found here​.

Staff Communications' main aim is to keep colleagues updated throughout this situation - but what are we saying to our students? Find out here.

An update from Andrea, regarding when our buildings will reopen to all, what we're doing to make them safe, and how our students are feeling about coming to our campuses, published on Monday 1 June, can be found here​.

An update from Andrea, regarding getting back on campus, published on Wednesday 27 May, can be found here.

An update from Alyson Tobin regarding teaching in trimester 1, published on Tuesday 26 May, can be found here.

An update from Andrea, published on Wednesday 13 May, can be found here​.

An update from Alyson Tobin, confirming 7 September as the start date for the next academic year, can be found here.

Planning

The Return to Campus Life Planning Group has been set up to co-ordinate our plans to return to on-campus based work for staff and students. The group has also set up nine sub-groups to focus on specific areas of activity.

The group will develop plans for a phased return to on-campus working that are sufficiently adaptable to be able to accommodate a range of scenarios, including ongoing social distancing for an extended period.

Principles and priorities

The work of the Campus Planning Group will be guided by the following principles and priorities:

• The safety of our staff and students is our overriding priority and we’ll only ask you to return to campus when it is safe to do so

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• Colleagues will continue to work from home unless they are required to attend campus to undertake specific activities

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• We will adhere to Scottish Government guidance, with a gradual and phased return to campus

• We’re aiming for the return of some operations on campus as soon as permitted, particularly in relation to critical admissions activities, research and in preparation for trimester 1

• Those who need to attend campus are expected to abide by new rules, which will be clearly communicated in advance

• We will take into account the needs of those who may not be able to return to campus even as restrictions are eased

• Full maintenance and health and safety checks will be completed for all facilities before reopening

• Our Health & Safety team is shaping what a return will look like in terms of PPE requirements, the use of entrances and exits, and the flow of people around buildings

• We will start trimester 1 on 7 September as planned for both new and returning students

• We’re preparing for a blended approach to teaching and learning so there is flexibility in the way programmes can be delivered as we emerge from lockdown

• All teaching that can be delivered remotely should be undertaken this way

• We are working to provide safe access to campuses for some laboratory and tutorial activities to fit with that blended model, along with our research laboratories so important research work can restart

• Any easing of restrictions affecting timetabling would be implemented for the following trimester and not mid-trimester