Teaching Delivery, Research, and On-Campus Activity
Guidance on the government's framework for level 3 restrictive measures in the UCC context
Updated 2 Dec 2020
This Guidance is intended to provide greater certainty for students and staff of the University on the status of University activities under Level 3 and is based on the following:
- The Government’s Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19
- The Government’s Ireland is Moving to Level 3 issued on 27 November 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 Moving Further and Higher Education forward within Level 3 announcement on 27 November by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
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.
Learning, Teaching, and Assessment
Updated 2 Dec 2020
| Activity / Function | Level 3 |
|---|---|
| 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. |
| 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 2 Dec 2020
| Activity / Function | Level 3 |
|---|---|
| Scientific/laboratory based research | Current scientific/laboratory based research activities can continue with appropriate protective measures in place. |
| Desk based research | Desk based research activities are limited under current public health guidelines and should be conducted remotely where possible. Certain essential/time sensitive desk based research which requires on campus attendance may be possible subject to appropriate protective measures and prior approval from the relevant Head of College and the Vice President for Research & Innovation. |
| Volunteer studies |
Permitted with appropriate protective measures as outlined in guidance from the Research Business Continuity Group. |
|
Field work (no interface with members of the public) |
Permitted with appropriate protective measures as outlined in guidance from the Research Business Continuity Group. |
| Field work (interface with members of the public) | Permitted with appropriate protective measures as outlined in guidance from the Research Business Continuity Group. |
Staff attendance on campus
Updated 2 Dec 2020
| Activity / Function | Level 3 |
|---|---|
| General attendance on campus |
Certain categories of staff/roles are deemed essential services under the Government’s 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 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 2 Dec 2020
| Activity / Function | Level 3 |
|---|---|
| Outdoor Sport |
Non-contact training may take place outdoors in pods of 15. |
| Indoor Sport | Only individual training should take place indoors and no exercise or dance classes are permitted. |
| Mardyke Arena |
Open for members by pre-booking time slots. See Mardyke Arena website for more information. |
Student activities and UCC Societies
Updated 2 Dec 2020
| 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) | 2 metre physical distancing, and subject to appropriate public health measures being in place (e.g. advance booking for attendance to ensure numbers are not exceeded) and attendees following the University guidance on face coverings. Subject to completion of a risk assessment and approval by the Societies Officer. Maximum of 15 attendees (including organisers and stewards). |
Restaurants, Catering, Retail and Other Amenities
Updated 2 Dec 2020
| Activity / Function | Level 3 |
|---|---|
| Brookfield Restaurant | Open with limited seating and occupancy from 4 Dec 2020 |
| Coffee Dock | Open with limited seating and occupancy from 4 Dec 2020 |
| Elements | Open with limited seating and occupancy from 4 Dec 2020 |
| Tyndall Restaurant | Open with limited seating and occupancy |
| Staff Common Room | Open with limited seating and occupancy |
| Café Atrium | Open with limited seating and occupancy from 4 Dec |
| Oasis Café | Open with limited seating and occupancy from 4 Dec 2020 |
| Áras na MacLéinn Shop | Open with protective measures |
| Áras na MacLéinn “Siopa 2” (adjacent to the Main Restaurant) | Open with protective measures |
| Áras na MacLéinn Clothing Shop | Stock available in the Áras na MacLéinn Shop |
| Lowercase Bookshop | Open Mon - Fri, 10am - 4pm |
| Áras na MacLéinn Hair Salon | Open from 2 Dec 2020 |
| Club Áras na MacLéinn Bar | Open from 7 Dec 2020 with limited seating and occupancy |
| Other restaurants/cafés not listed above | Closed |
| Glucksman Gallery |
Open from 1 Dec 2020 |
| Glucksman Gallery Shop | Open from 1 Dec 2020 |
| Visitors’ Centre | |
| Campus Tours | Closed for tours. |
| Visitors’ Centre Gift Shop | Open from 1 Dec 2020 |
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.