Teaching Delivery, Research, and On-Campus Activity
Guidance on the government's framework for level 5 restrictive measures in the UCC context
Updated 8 March 2021
This Guidance is intended to provide greater certainty for students and staff of the University on the status of University activities under Level 5 and is based on the following:
- The Government’s COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021: The Path Ahead
- The Government’s Ireland is Moving to Level 5 issued on 30th December 2020
- The Government’s categorisation of essential services for the purposes of Level 5 restrictions as issued on 14th October 2020 and updated on 30th December 2020
- Sectoral guidance/clarifications issued from the Government, the National Public Health Emergency Team and/or the Health Service Executive to the Higher Education Sector from time to time including the 20th October 2020 announcement by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Higher Education is classified as an essential service under the Government’s guidance “insofar as onsite presence is required and such education activities cannot be held remotely”.
To the extent on-campus activities are continuing within the parameters of this Guidance, the responsible party must re-assess the risk associated with the ongoing activity in the context of high levels of community transmission nationally at present.
This Guidance is based on information available as at the date of its preparation but remains subject to change based on prevailing public health guidance as it may evolve over the course of the coming academic year. The University will adhere to national public health advice at all times and the safety of our students and staff will be paramount.
Updates to this Guidance will be published via the Campus Business Continuity Team and on the UCC Return to Campus website
Learning, Teaching, and Assessment
Updated 4 Jan 2021
| Activity / Function | Level 5 |
|---|---|
| Face to face delivered lectures (excluding small group teaching, laboratory based teaching, clinical and practicals based tuition) |
To be delivered online only. |
| Small group teaching | To be delivered online as much as possible, however, small group teaching is permissible (with appropriate protective measures such as 2m physical distancing and face coverings) where learners’ particular needs require additional support over and above that which can be provided online, or where face to face delivery is part of programme accreditation requirements. Such teaching must obtain prior approval by the relevant Head of College. |
| Laboratory based teaching, clinical and practicals based tuition |
Healthcare students can attend onsite (with appropriate protective measures) for any clinical placements, simulation and clinical exercises, or training or laboratory practice or practical examinations that are necessary to meet professional or regulatory requirements*. Laboratory/practicals for students other than healthcare students can continue with appropriate protective measures (e.g. at least 1 metre physical distancing and face coverings). |
|
Library (Boole & Brookfield Libraries) |
Open to students and staff at limited occupancy subject to appropriate protective measures including pre-booking, physical distancing and mandatory face coverings. Closed to public/external readers. See the Boole Library website for further details |
| Designated auxiliary reading rooms (Aula Maxima, Kampus Kitchen, Devere Hall, Mini Restaurant) | Open to students at limited occupancy subject to appropriate protective measures including physical distancing and face coverings. |
| Open Access Computer Labs | Open to students at limited occupancy subject to appropriate protective measures including physical distancing and face coverings. |
*As advised in the Chief Medical Officer’s correspondence to the Minister for Health dated 8 October 2020
Research
Updated 6 Jan 2021
To the extent on-campus activities are continuing within the parameters of this Guidance, the responsible party must re-assess the risk associated with the ongoing activity in the context of high levels of community transmission nationally at present.
The guidelines below will be reviewed on 31st January 2021.
| Activity / Function | Level 5 |
|---|---|
| Scientific/laboratory based research |
Essential scientific/laboratory based research activities can continue with appropriate protective measures in place. Principal Investigators intending to continue essential scientific/laboratory based research activities during the current period of restrictions must seek prior approval from the relevant Head of College and the Vice President for Research & Innovation. |
| Desk based research | Desk based research activities are limited under current public health guidelines and should be conducted remotely during the current period of restrictions. |
| Volunteer studies |
Volunteer studies are limited under current public health guidelines and should be conducted remotely during the current period of restrictions or temporarily postponed. Subject to appropriate protective measures and prior approval from the relevant Head of College and the Vice President for Research & Innovation, continuation of certain essential/time sensitive volunteer studies may be possible. |
|
Field work (no interface with members of the public) |
Subject to prior approval from the relevant Head of College and the Vice President for Research & Innovation, continuation of certain essential/time sensitive field work may be permitted with appropriate protective measures as outlined in the guidance from the Research Business Continuity Group. |
| Field work (interface with members of the public) |
Field work involving interface with members of the public is limited under current public health guidelines and should be conducted remotely during the current period of restrictions or temporarily postponed. Subject to appropriate protective measures and prior approval from the relevant Head of College and the Vice President for Research & Innovation, continuation of certain essential/time sensitive field work of this nature may be possible. |
Staff attendance on campus
Updated 4 Jan 2021
| Activity / Function | Level 5 |
|---|---|
| General attendance on campus |
Certain categories of staff/roles are deemed essential services under the Government’s Level 5 guidance. Heads/line managers will determine who is required to work on campus based on essential needs. Staff not required to perform their activities physically on campus should continue to work remotely. Staff attending on campus can obtain a letter of authority for travel to work (e.g. if required for Garda checkpoints) and must adhere to the University’s infection control measures on campus. |
| Meetings | Meetings between staff members should be conducted by remote means. |
| To access technology for delivery of lectures |
Staff may attend campus in order to access technology for delivery of online teaching or to provide permitted small group teaching, laboratories, and practical based tuition. Staff attending on campus must adhere to the University’s infection control measures on campus. |
Sport and physical activity
Updated 4 Jan 2021
| Activity / Function | Level 5 |
|---|---|
| Outdoor Sport |
All team training and competitions suspended under Level 5 restrictions. Individual training only within 5 km of home. UCC’s outdoor facilities are closed with the exception of elite athletes who must pre-book time via sport@ucc.ie |
| Indoor Sport | See Mardyke Arena. |
| Mardyke Arena |
Arena physiotherapy clinic open with protective measures. The remainder of the Arena is closed until the University/Cork returns to a lower Level in the Government’s Framework (Level 3 or below) |
Student activities and UCC Societies
Updated 4 Jan 2021
| Activity / Function | Level 3 |
|---|---|
| Societies Events (indoor) | To be held by virtual means. In person events not permitted based on public health guidance for the University sector. |
| Societies Events (outdoor) | To be held by virtual means. In person events not permitted based on public health guidance for the University sector |
Restaurants, Catering, Retail and Other Amenities
Updated 4 Jan 2021
The majority of restaurants on campus will be operating takeaway services only. Full details and opening hours are available on our visitors' page.
| Activity / Function | Level 5 |
|---|---|
| Brookfield Restaurant | Closed |
| Coffee Dock | Takeaway services only |
| Elements | Takeaway services only |
| Tyndall Restaurant | Closed |
| Staff Common Room | Open with limited seating and occupancy |
| Café Atrium | Closed |
| Oasis Café | Takeaway services only |
| Áras na MacLéinn Shop | Open with protective measures |
| Áras na MacLéinn “Siopa 2” (adjacent to the Main Restaurant) | Closed |
| Áras na MacLéinn Clothing Shop | Online orders only via https://uccshop.ie/ |
| Lowercase Bookshop | Closed |
| Áras na MacLéinn Hair Salon | Closed until the University/Cork returns to a lower Level in the Government’s Framework (Level 3 or below). |
| Club Áras na MacLéinn Bar | Closed |
| Other restaurants/cafés not listed above | Closed |
| Glucksman Gallery |
Closed until the University/Cork returns to a lower Level in the Government’s Framework – online services only. |
| Glucksman Gallery Shop | Online https://www.glucksmanshop.com/ |
| Visitors’ Centre | |
| Campus Tours | Closed for tours. |
| Visitors’ Centre Gift Shop | Online orders only via https://uccshop.ie/ |
Community Charter
UCC has developed a Community Charter which is a set of principles for UCC’s students and staff to reaffirm their commitment towards the shared responsibility of protecting our community. The community charter forms part of student and staff return to campus induction. Make sure you complete these modules in Canvas.