• COVID-19 FAQs - in relation to working arrangements and special leave
• HSE COVID-19 Information
• FAQs from ECDC
• FAQs from HPSC
• www.hpsc.ie
• DFA Travel Advice 
• Psychological Support - COVID 19
• Guidance for Further and Higher Education for returning to on-site activity in 2020: Roadmap and COVID-19 Adaptation Framework
• Practical Guidance for Further and Higher Education for Returning to On-site Activity in 2020

The government has release a document containing on update on working arrangements for the civil and public service. UCC would like staff to read and familiarise themselves with this document.

 https://www.gov.ie/en/news/092fff-update-on-working-arrangements-and-leave-associated-with-covid-19-fo/

The Health and Safety Authority have provided an FAQ for Employers and Employees in relation to Home-Working on a temporary basis (COVID-19)

As we plan a resumption of activities in line with the Government’s Return to Work Safely Protocol it is important to emphasise that the safety of our students and staff is paramount. Currently , we advise that staff should continue to work from home, unless you have received permission for access from your function head.

We will approach the next steps collaboratively and keep our staff informed at each step. As we take these steps, a shared responsibility is essential to protect against the spread of Covid-19.

Our colleagues in the Academic Leadership Forum, the Research Business Continuity Group and the Campus Business Continuity Team will work with our community to ensure a phased and gradual return to work in a safe and controlled work environment.

We are developing a university plan that will align with Government advice. Any activity approved to resume must follow several steps before commencing. It will not be possible to resume all activities simultaneously.

If staff have any queries, please contact your line manager in the first instance. Heads of College/Functional Areas can raise questions directly with the Campus Business Continuity Team on your behalf.

Read the detailed FAQ on the procurement of appropriate cleaning materials for COVID 19 infection control to understand the new process. 

UCC have created a comprehensive Covid19 Student Induction course to help prepare students for their eventual return to campus. Students have been auto-enrolled ono this course and it will appear as one for their required courses on Canvas when they log on. Please encourage all your new and returning UCC students to complete this course. 

See our Returning to Campus page for information on accessing and or returning to campuse.

The library has created a dedicated information portal for all pressing updates to library services during the COVID-19 closure.

You can access the portal from: https://libguides.ucc.ie/Remote_Working.

The portal contains information on new online collections being added daily, as well as links to the library’s Canvas course for online access to learning materials from our library workshops, our library guide to remote library access, and a list of FAQs related to library services for both staff and students.

updated 8 July

Online Recourses

Access to OneSearch, the library catalogue, CORA and other web-based interfaces are all accessible from the library website for users conducting online research. All online library collections such as electronic journals, electronic books and online databases are accessible remotely via the library website for UCC affiliates: https://libguides.ucc.ie/library.

Preqin, a market research database collection, is the only exception to this, as this resource is only accessible within the Boole Library, and therefore not available during the University closure.

Physical Recourses - New Service

The library has unveiled new services designed to improve access to physical library collections.

• Scan & Deliver: Library Users can request a digital scan of a book chapter or journal article from the library printed collections, subject to copyright restrictions. Full details, and application for this service are available from: https://libguides.ucc.ie/scananddeliver
• Click & Collect: From July 20^th, library users can avail of the new Click & Collect service. Users may request items from the lending collections for borrowing, and retrieve them from a designated collection point in Boole Library.

Regular in-library borrowing will resume, via the self-checkout options, from August 10^th.

restricted from Friday 13 March. Borrowing and returning of books will also not be possible.

Special Collections

Access to Special Collections and Archvies will be available strictly by appointment from July 20^th onwards. Appropriate social distancing and public health guidelines will be in place. Further information on the appointment service will be available on the library website.

Online Renewal

Library users will be able to renew items already on loan by logging in to their Library Account, detailed at: https://libguides.ucc.ie/libraryessentials/mylibraryaccount. Any borrowed items due back before March 29^th will automatically be assigned a new return due date for when the University reopens, and no fines will be incurred during the University closure. 

Interlibrary Loans

Interlibrary loan requests will still be processed during University closure, however, items will only be available for collection upon reopening.

Library Supports

There is a limited library staff service available online and remotely. The Library’s Ask Us knowledge base is accessible remotely at https://askus.booleweb.ucc.ie/index.php/. The library’s Online Ask Us Live Chat support service from the library website is available during regular business hours Monday – Friday, 10am-5pm. You can also contact the library via email at library@ucc.ie The library will continue to monitor any queries and communications.  Consultation services from various library service points (Liaison Librarians, Archives and Special Collections, Research Data Services, CORA) will be available remotely.

The library will continue to monitor the range of services it can provide remotely, and will review this throughout the course of the closure. For updates on the status of library services during University closure, please continue to visit http://libguides.ucc.ie.

For full details on the phased UCC Library Reopening plan, please see: https://libguides.ucc.ie/reopening.

All incoming post is being retained in the post room until normal service resumes.

Our COVID 19 Travel and Events page has detailed information about work travel restrictions. 

Posters emphasising the importance of hand washing and respiratory etiquette are available for downloading and use in local units of the university.

The ideal locations include public lobbies, outside washrooms and adjacent  to locations where food is consumed. The posters are available in English Poster agus tá leagan Ghaeilge ar fáil chomh maith Póstaer 

Face coverings must be worn by all users of libraries, reading rooms and retail spaces. and you should also wear a face covering at all other times whilst indoors, epecially where it is difficult to keep a 2M distance from others. 

There is no need to wear a face-covering when alone in your own office.

The face covering should fully cover your mouth and nose area.

Anyone  who is unable to wear a face covering over their mouth and nose should use a face visor. Face visors are not considered to offer as much protection to the wearer and others as do face coverings.

In certain circumstances students may wish to be able to see another person's mouth and lips for learning purposes or to lip-read for those hard of hearing.

Some indiviudals may be exempt from the requirement to wear a face covering of any kind for reasons of illness or impairment.

Students will have the option to wear a distinctive white lanyard and personal ID to signal to the rest of the University community that they are exempt from the requirement to wear a face covering for reasons of illness or impairment.

Students can apply for an alternatve to the cloth face covering or the lanyard that signals they are exempt from wearing a face covering by applying to the Student Health Department using this on-ine form 

Yes there is IT support available. On foot of the Presidents email, all staff have now moved to a remote working scenario, IT Services want to remind staff that they can still get IT Support in this situation.

A list of our remote services are available on https://www.ucc.ie/en/it/remote-working/

The best way to reach us is by using our support portal, https://servicedesk.ucc.ie/. Alternatively you can reach us by email on helpdesk@ucc.ie

Some useful contact information for colleagues:

This new way of working is also new to our IT team, but we are here to support you and we hope these resources are useful. We will be prioritising support for critical services, such as teaching and critical administration services, so please be patient and we will get to your queries. If you need our help, please let us know and we will try and get to your request as soon as possible.

A guidance note has been drafted to help staff take appropriate measures when working remotely to protect the security of the devices they use and the data they process. In light of GDPR, it is particularly important that we meet our obligations to keep all University information safe and secure. 

Please read the Working Securely When Off Campus section of the IT Services website and take any actions you deem necessary to meet your GDPR obligations. 

Buildings and Estates look after the provision of mobile devices (phones or broadband dongles) for UCC staff. Visit the Mobile Devices page for the answers to the following questions

1. Can I order a new / replacement mobile device?
2. Can I order a mobile broadband device?
3. What are the monthly data allowances under the UCC contract?
4. Will I be tied into a 24 month contract?

Mobile phones can be used as a 'hot spot' and tethered to a laptop to allow internet access using the phones data.

View our detailed instructions available for both Adroid Phones and iPhones.

In the event that the University is instructed to close due to the Covid19 Virus, the Finance Office has put in place measures to ensure it has the capability to continue to function remotely.  While some services may be limited, the Office will continue to pay staff and suppliers, process research funding claims and engage with students who may find it difficult to pay outstanding fee balances.

• All Payroll information should be sent electronically to payrollqueries@ucc.ie
• All Supplier Invoices with a valid purchase order (PO) number should be sent to invoice@ucc.ie
• All fees queries should be directed to Fees@ucc.ie
• All queries relating to Research Grants Claims should be directed to mcusack@ucc.ie

The Protocol COVID-19 Pre-Return to Work Form is one of the measures designed to assist with the safe return to the workplace following the COVID-19 lockdown.

Any employees who were not present in the workplace prior to the introduction of the Protocol on 9th May are required to complete the pre-return to work questions in the COVID-19 Return to Work Form. The form must be completed at least three days before an initial return (the three-day timeframe can include weekends). Whilst the form is only to be completed once, for those who have not returned prior to 9 May, employees should have regard to any changes in their circumstances in relation to the questions and notify their manager/HR if there are any changes.

It is important to emphasise that any employee who is feeling unwell should not attend the workplace. This applies to any transmissible illness during this Covid-19 emergency period.

The health and wellbeing of employees is of utmost importance. If an employee becomes unwell in the work premises, employers should ensure that arrangements are put in place which take account of the requirements in the Return to Work Safely Protocol, the Health and Safety Authority, and the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) website for guidance. These arrangements should be clearly communicated to employees. Sectors may need to refer to their own emergency protocols or arrangements as necessary where these exist.

In line with the HSE Contact Tracing Process, contact tracers will directly contact all relevant persons who have been in contact with a confirmed case, or the person will be notified through the COVID Tracker App. The instructions of the HSE should be followed and employee confidentiality is essential at all times.

Employees are encouraged to download the COVID Tracker App to their mobile device as this will assist with the contact tracing process. It should be noted that in incidents where a full Public Health Risk Assessment is undertaken, information from the COVID19 tracker application is included as part of this assessment. Individuals should follow any actions which are advised by the Medical Officer of Health / Health Protection Medical Team.

Employers should continue to facilitate this group where possible in terms of flexible working arrangements, including working remotely where such arrangements are appropriate to the business needs. Employers are working to implement measures to ensure the safety of the workplace for all employees, as provided for in the Return to Work Safely Protocol.

High risk employees who are required to attend the work premises, in accordance with HSE advice, should take extra care to practice social distancing where possible and wash their hands regularly and properly. Appropriate measures may need to be considered for employees in the high risk group in the work premises where maintaining social distancing is difficult.

Employees should declare to their employer if they believe that they are at very high risk of COVID-19. Please refer to the HSE website for more information.

The employer’s Occupational Health service should be consulted for employees in the very high risk category, or to determine if an employee falls into this category.

Employees deemed to be very high risk should be facilitated to work from home to the maximum extent possible. Where an employee is very high risk, is cocooning, and working from home in their current role is not feasible, then they may be assigned work outside their usual core duties/given a new role.

Employees in the very high risk category who wish to return to the work premises should contact their HR unit for further information.

Employees who are required to attend the workplace and who live with very high-risk individuals should follow the HSE guidelines to protect themselves and to minimise risk of transmission. The implementation of the Return to Work Safely Protocol is intended to minimize the risk of transmission in the workplace.

Circular 2/1976, which covers special leave with pay should only apply in lieu of sick leave for COVID-19 when an employee is advised to self-isolate and is displaying symptoms of COVID-19 or had a positive test. Medical or HSE advice should be followed. Special leave with pay for employees who are not required to work due to COVID-19 should be based on basic salary and fixed allowances only. This excludes premium payments. Sectors may need to reflect these principles in their own special leave with pay circulars.

The HSE sets out the latest criteria for self-isolation at:

https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/managing-coronavirus-at-home/if-you-live-with-someone-who-has-coronavirus.html

The general principles applying to the management of sick leave, for example the requirement of employees to contact managers, and for ongoing contact with employees who are on special leave for this purpose, will apply.

Any special leave with pay granted for the purpose of self-isolation or any diagnosis of COVID-19 will not be counted as part of the employee’s sick leave record. The application of special leave with pay will apply for the number of days advised by the HSE/doctor. Appropriate medical/HSE confirmation of the need to self-isolate and/or a diagnosis of COVID-19 will be required.

When granting special leave with pay, as per clause 31.2 of Circular 2/1976, “the officer will be expected to comply at once with any directions which may be given by [their] Department and to take all practicable steps to resume duty as soon as possible. Otherwise, unless adequate reason is shown for non-compliance, the question of withholding pay will arise”. Employees are not entitled to days in lieu of bank holidays whilst in receipt of special leave with pay.

In the event of non-compliance with the provisions of special leave with pay (including the requirement to provide bona fide confirmation of self-isolation/diagnosis of COVID-19) existing procedures, including disciplinary measures may be invoked.

If an employee is displaying symptoms and/or has a positive test for COVID-19 then the period should be recorded as special leave with pay. Special leave with pay for COVID-19 is being used in place of sick pay. As noted, special leave with pay should only apply when an employee is advised to self-isolate and is displaying symptoms of COVID-19 or had a positive test. Medical or HSE advice should be followed.

Appropriate medical/HSE confirmation of the need to self-isolate and/or a diagnosis of COVID-19 will be required. In the event that written confirmation is not available, the recording of medical or HSE advice to self-isolate will take the form of a self-declaration. This does not mean that employees can voluntarily choose to self-isolate. Medical/HSE advice will be required, however the reporting of same may take the form of a self-declaration. How this will work in practice will vary based on the unique circumstances of each employer. For example, employers may wish to implement a self-declaration form on return to work (Appendix 2: Special leave with pay self-declaration for COVID-19), which is completed by the employee and signed off by the employer.

The employer should clearly communicate to employees the information required to be provided and the notification process. See guidance at the end of this document for more details on notification requirements.

Self-declarations and/or any accompanying certification/confirmation should be retained by Local HR on the individual’s personnel file and should be subject to audit. For employers within the NSSO customer group the notification process will include the requirement that the employee, on return to work, completes a special leave with pay application on the PeoplePoint system, which must then be approved by their manager. The manager should ensure that this is complied with.

 (a) Procedure for employees

1. Telephone your manager before 10am on the first day of isolation to as would normally be the case for sick leave. You will be required to notify your manager of number of days you have been advised to self-isolate. You will be required to complete a self-declaration and/or provide confirmation/medical certification where available.Appendix 2: Special leave with pay self-declaration for COVID-19
2. If your manager is not available, please contact another manager in your area or your HR team. In rare situations where that is not possible, make a note of the date and times of call made and continue to try to contact your managers until contact is made.
3. Please note that Public Service employees cannot claim DEASP COVID-19 illness benefit in cases where they are receiving special leave with pay. Any claim for DEASP COVID-19 illness benefit whilst on special leave with pay will be treated as a disciplinary matter.
4. You must apply for special leave with pay on return to work, including providing appropriate confirmation, with certification where available.
5. By applying for special leave with pay, you agree that in the event of non-compliance with the provisions of special leave with pay (including the requirement to provide bona fide(4) confirmation of self-isolation for COVID-19) existing procedures, including disciplinary measures may be invoked.Bona fide in relation to a representation or communication means in good faith and well founded in fact. The employer reserves the right to request further confirmation.

 (b) Procedure for managers

1. Employees who are advised to self-isolate must inform their manager as per sick leave requirements.
2. Managers should ask the employee to provide dates and confirmation/medical certification where possible. The arrangements for the recording of this will vary based on each organisation’s payroll/HR facilities.
3. Managers should make employees aware of the need to stay in regular contact and advise them of any employee assistance programme available to them.
4. Managers should alert the employee to any follow up actions that are required on their return to work (for example, self-declaration, return to work protocols etc.).

The HSE sets out the latest criteria for restricted movements following close contact at:

https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/managing-coronavirus-at-home/if-you-live-with-someone-who-has-coronavirus.html  

Special leave with pay does not apply to employees who are required to restrict their movements as they are not ill.

The employer must therefore facilitate working from home. If remote working in an employee’s current role is not feasible, then the assignment of work may be outside of their usual core duties. Employees must cooperate with all such flexibilities while they are restricting their movements.

In all such cases, employees remain available for work whilst at home, where they have been advised to restrict their movements as a precautionary measure.

This FAQ does not apply to employees who are required to restrict their movements arising from a decision to undertake non-essential travel abroad against government advice (see below: 15. What leave arrangements apply to civil and public servants on return from non-essential travel overseas? )

Please note that this FAQ relates to a return to work in the employer’s work premises. These arrangements do not preclude employees from returning to work at home at an earlier stage if this is feasible, depending on the situation of each case.

Note: Sectors may need to refer to their own arrangements as necessary where these exist.

The Civil Service CMO advises where the individual has had a positive test for COVID-19 an employee needs to be 10 days post onset of symptoms and also 5 days fever free (which may run concurrently) before returning to the workplace. Please note that the 10 days is from onset of symptoms and not the date of receiving a positive COVID-19 test result. This 10 day period does not apply to close contacts of a confirmed case. For individuals who are close contacts of a confirmed case they will need to continue to restrict their movements for 14 days. This is because it can take up to 14 days for symptoms to appear.

If employees cannot provide certification they will be asked by their manager to complete a self-declaration form (Appendix 2: Special leave with pay self-declaration for COVID-19). Managers should be mindful of confidentiality and alert the employee to any follow up actions that are required on their return to work.

Any forms and/or, where applicable, accompanying certification, should be forwarded by managers to and retained by Local HR on the individual’s personnel file and should be subject to audit. NSSO customer group employees should be advised not to forward the forms or certificates to the NSSO but rather to their own organisation.

For individuals who were tested because they had symptoms of coronavirus and receive a negative test result, they should continue to self-isolate until they have not had any symptoms for 48 hours. They can return to normal activities once 48 hours without symptoms.

The usual rules applying to certification/self-declaration (as per FAQs 3.1 and 3.6 in the latest Department of Public Expenditure and Reform circular) continue to apply.

Note that this FAQ ONLY applies to individuals who were symptomatic. Individuals who are close contacts of a confirmed case must continue to restrict their movements for 14 days even after negative test results.

Any non-COVID-19 illness will be recorded as ordinary certified sick leave and the usual rules governing sick leave will apply.

There is no special paid leave available for COVID-19 caring arrangements during this time.

Any employee who wishes to avail of existing leave allowances during this time is entitled to have such requests considered by their employer, as always, including parental leave, annual leave etc.

The general advice is to avoid non-essential travel, other than to countries on the ‘Green List’ where the advice is to take normal precautions.

Anyone coming into Ireland (apart from Northern Ireland and individuals arriving in Ireland from locations with a security rating of normal precautions “green”), is required to restrict their movements for 14 days. Responsibility to provide for the period of restricted movement arising from non-essential travel overseas is a matter for each individual employee.

In order to protect public health, employees are required to advise their employer of any intention to travel overseas.

Where there is an intention to undertake non-essential travel overseas to a non “green” country, all employees must make provision by way of an annual leave or unpaid leave application for the additional period of restricted movement, in line with the normal rules applying in the relevant sector. This arrangement is applicable to all civil and public servants regardless of whether they can work from home.

Should an employee return from a “green” country there will be no requirement to restrict their movements. However, employees should continue to notify their employer of their intention to travel overseas. The security rating of countries will be regularly reviewed and may change, and employees should be aware that whatever restricted movement requirements are in place on their date of return to Ireland will apply to them. Employees should log on to www.dfa.ie immediately prior to their return to Ireland to ensure they are fully apprised of any changes to the security rating of countries, and any necessary requirement to restrict their movements.

Working from Home During Covid 19

DES Circular- COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

11th August 2020

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/0cfe6-update-24th-august-2020-to-guidance-on-working-arrangements-during-covid-19-for-the-civil-and-public-service/ 

In light of the worsening COVID-19 pandemic and the relative proximity of end of semester two, the university has decided to substitute all remaining continuous assessments and end of semester written examinations with online assessments.

 At a time of uncertainty, it is important that we make this decision now so that both you and our students can prepare and adjust.

In what are exceptional circumstances, it is important to highlight the following:

• All substitute forms of assessment should ensure that the same competencies are assessed and that Learning Outcomes are met. Your Head of School is responsible for endorsing alternative assessment arrangements provided approval is granted by your Head of College/ACE Director.
• If your programme or module is externally accredited please ensure that the accrediting/professional/regulatory body is aware and formally supportive of any proposed substitute form of assessment.  
• In order to avoid delay and disruption to result processing and associated activities, it is important that all substitute forms of assessment for written examinations be completed according to the timetable laid down in the existing written examination schedule. It is understood that the start dates and duration times for substitute forms of assessment may need to vary from  those specified in the orthodox schedule.
• External examiners have been notified that they will perform their duties remotely. Examination boards will be conducted online using Microsoft Teams.

Many online assessments will take a timed, open book format. In addition, short answer tests and essays/projects may also be suitable for certain modules.

Reasonable Accommodations

If you have been contacted by a student requesting Reasonable Accommodations such as extra time, spelling and grammar waiver etc for an exam or assessment and you have queries please contact the Disability Support Service at dssinfo@ucc.ie  

Further Information and support

For detailed instructions on how to use Canvas to upload examination papers and oversee this form of assessment, please visit here: https://www.ucc.ie/en/keep-assessing  

Canvas also provides UCC with an excellent 24x7 user support facility which can be availed of once you log in to the system.

Keep up to date with the dedicated UCC COVID-19 webpage available here for staff FAQ’s and information on remote teaching and learning.

Yes. Some of our eBook suppliers are proactively adjusting the licenses of our eBook collections to expand our access or to increase our number of simultaneous users accessing e-content.

If you have queries about eBook licenses, please contact libraryresources@ucc.ie. Library staff continue to work directly with our vendors and suppliers to increase the amount of eBooks available to UCC at this time.

You can find a list of the latest additions to our e-content on the dedicated library website page.

Yes. Academic staff should continue to send in proposals for eBooks and new books as normal, although eBooks will be prioritized as they are particularly useful at this time.  While not all eBooks can be purchased with an institutional licence, library staff will investigate the options.  See Library Acquisitions https://libguides.ucc.ie/acquisitions, or contact r.madden@ucc.ie.

Yes. Library staff are prioritising the purchase of eBooks during this time. If you have requests for eBooks, please see Library Acquisitions for details on recommending books for purchasing.

Additionally, library staff continue to work with our existing eBook suppliers. UCC students and staff will now have access to an extra 177,000 eBook titles via ProQuest’s Ebook Central database, including exclusive titles from key publishers like Wiley. This is in addition to the 1,834 eBook titles that the Library has previously purchased on Ebook Central. Cambridge University Press have also made 700 ebook titles available until the end of May 2020. All titles will be available with an unlimited user licence during this time period.

The eBooks can be accessed through OneSearch on the Library website, or through Ebook Central on the Library's A-Z Databases List. For the latest on additional ebook available, please visit the Library Website.

The University has suspended student placement in Ireland and abroad until further notice. Further details can be found in the Student FAQs. 

UCC students currently on a study abroad programme have been strongly advised to return to Ireland. Further details can be found in the Student FAQs.

The University recommends that international students currently studying at UCC continue to engage with their programme in UCC by following the instructions in relation to engaging with online learning.

However, UCC understands that international students may wish to return home and such students have been advised that they will not be disadvantaged in terms of academic assessment should they choose to return home.  

Further details can be found in the Student FAQs

These guidelines apply to all UCC Researchers including postgraduate research students, research staff and academic staff in relation to research activities. UCC Researchers should check the Research Business Continuity Supports webpage regularly for updates.

The impact of the COVID-19 closure of the University on researchers and research activity is clearly very significant - most research teams continued actively working remotely focusing on writing papers, reports, accessing library resources etc. over the period of closure, but without the ability to undertake key research activities which require access to the University facilities during closure. University facilities have reopened on a phased basis since May/June 2020 enabling some researchers to recommence research on campus on a socially distanced basis with reduced capacity.

As national public health restrictions and guidelines remained in force, a Research Business Continuity Team (RBCT) was established to restart research activities which required campus access and to restart fieldwork in a manner which adhered to the public health guidelines. A phased re-opening of research facilities commenced on May 18^th in line with the Government’s roadmap for easing COVID-19 restrictions.

Pilot Programme - Enabling Access

A pilot programme was initiated on May 18^th enabling access to three research-intensive buildings on campus: ERI (Lee Road Building and LIR Wave Tanks), BSI and Tyndall National Institute. Since then the pilot has been expanded on a phased basis across the campus. The safety of the research community is a key concern and the pilot programme ensures that the phased re-opening is carefully managed and adheres to national restrictions and health and safety guidelines.

By September 2020 almost all laboratory-based research has recommenced on campus. Work is underway to facilitate desk-based researchers to return to campus while complying with national guidelines and ensuring that this is undertaken in a way which does not impact on the capacity of the campus for teaching and learning activities.

As the CBCT has been working to reopen the campus more broadly, the RBCT protocols have been embedded within the broader processes. The resources developed by the Research Business Continuity Team to support the return of researchers to campus are now available on the Returning to Campus Sharepoint at https://uccireland.sharepoint.com/sites/returningtocampus

Research Business Continuity Supports

UCC Researchers should consult with the Research Business Continuity Supports webpage for supporting documentation to assist the research community in reopening research facilities and engaging in research activities

Funding

As research teams continue to work remotely, the main Irish and EU funding agencies have published guidance documents and FAQs that provide further information in relation to their funded awards and future calls in the context of the COVID-19 crisis: SFI policies and guidance; IRC guidance; HRB guidance; European Commission guidance. We strongly encourage researchers that hold relevant awards, or those interested in applying to upcoming calls, to consult this information carefully. As always, UCC RSS is available to answer your queries, discuss potential funding opportunities, and the service continues to provide general research support and the administrative management of funding applications and contracts.

Contact UCC Research Support Services (RSS): uccresearch@ucc.ie

UCC Innovation also continues to support researchers remotely, and are contactable via this link.

What is happening in regards to PhD vivas?

The UCC procedure for viva voce examinations during the closure is available online from Academic Affairs and Governance..

In recognising the impact of this unprecedented situation on research activities and contracts, the statement from the funders HRB, IRC and SFI is very welcome.

Will work with External Research partners be affected?

With a view to managing external expectations, we would also advise that Principal Investigators reach out to, and keep the lines of communication open with their external research partners and funders (and, in particular, their enterprise funding partners), to keep them informed about the impact of the closure on the delivery of relevant research projects and the institutional steps that are being taken to manage the situation. 

The patience of the research community is very much appreciated at this time.

COVID-19 has impacted my research. What should I do?

Issues should be captured using the dedicated online form that is available on the UCC RSS website. Via this form, you can advise us about issues that are impacting on the delivery of your research, and the steps that are being taken at a local level to mitigate against these impacts. The information gathered will also help us to target our support to the research community and also help us keep track of the status of the research operating environment.

The UCC RBCT has set about a comprehensive range of guidelines and protocols including the Restricted Access Guidelines for UCC research facilities. The protocols and documentation required to assist in the planning of reopening a research facility can be found on the Research Business Continuity Supports webpage, which can be accessed through the Returning to Campus Sharepoint.

Compliance with the HSE national guidelines, on social distancing requires a substantial decrease in occupancy levels; therefore, access is prioritised for work which cannot be undertaken remotely.

In recognition of the fact that certain research activities are essential and time-sensitive the Research Business Continuity Team (RBCT) have developed a framework of procedures and protocols that UCC Researchers must comply with in order to recommence essential research activities safely and in a manner that strictly adheres to public health guidelines. These RBCT protocols include Restricted Access Guidelines Fieldwork, Restricted Access Guidelines Research at Interface with Society; Restricted Access Guidelines Healthy Volunteer Research on Campus and Principles of Access for Desk-Based Research & Write-up Space.

These guidelines apply to all UCC Researchers including postgraduate research students, research staff and academic staff in relation to research activities. UCC Researchers should check the Research Business Continuity Supports webpage regularly for updates.

As research teams continue to work remotely, the main Irish and EU funding agencies have published guidance documents and FAQs that provide further information in relation to their funded awards and future calls in the context of the COVID-19 crisis: SFI policies and guidance; IRC guidance; HRB guidance; European Commission guidance. We strongly encourage researchers that hold relevant awards, or those interested in applying to upcoming calls, to consult this information carefully. As always, UCC RSS is available to answer your queries, discuss potential funding opportunities, and the service continues to provide general research support and the administrative management of funding applications and contracts.

Contact UCC Research Support Services (RSS): uccresearch@ucc.ie

UCC Innovation also continues to support researchers remotely, and are contactable via this link.

With a view to managing external expectations, we would also advise that Principal Investigators reach out to, and keep the lines of communication open with their external research partners and funders (and, in particular, their enterprise funding partners), to keep them informed about the impact of the closure on the delivery of relevant research projects and the institutional steps that are being taken to manage the situation including reopening facilities on campus.

The patience of the research community is very much appreciated at this time.

Issues should be captured using the dedicated online form that is available on the UCC RSS website. Via this form, you can advise us about issues that are impacting on the delivery of your research, and the steps that are being taken at a local level to mitigate against these impacts. The information gathered will also help us to target our support to the research community and also help us keep track of the status of the research operating environment.

• Due to the current situation, and in compliance with the national guidelines such as the Return to Work Safety Protocol; Practical Guidance for Further and Higher Education for Returning to on-site Activity in 2020; ie Covid-19 Advice; Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DAFT) Travel Advice Update, the Research Business Continuity Team (RBCT) has provided a framework to restart Fieldwork on a restricted basis in compliance with national guidelines.
• In situations where research fieldwork is essential and time sensitive, permission to restart work can be sought by following the RBCT’s Restricted Access Guidelines for Fieldwork. Researchers whose fieldwork is essential and time-sensitive should follow these guidelines to seek approval.
• Compliance with the national HSE guidelines on social distancing, accessed here, will require significant changes to the way in which fieldwork is carried out; furthermore, permission will only be provided where scientific fieldwork is essential and time sensitive.

• Due to the current situation, and in compliance with the national guidelines such as the Return to Work Safety Protocol; Practical Guidance for Further and Higher Education for Returning to on-site Activity in 2020; ie Covid-19 Advice, the Research Business Continuity Team (RBCT) has provided a framework to restart Research at the Interface with Society (UCC researchers going out into the community to conduct research) on a restricted basis only
• In situations where work is essential and time-sensitive and cannot be conducted remotely, permission to restart work can be sought by following the RBCT’s Restricted Access Guidelines for Research at the Interface with Society. Researchers whose work is essential and time-sensitive should follow these guidelines to seek approval.
• Compliance with the national HSE guidelines, on social distancing will require significant changes to the way in which community-based research is carried out; furthermore, permission will only be provided where work is essential and time-sensitive.

• Due to the current situation, and in compliance with the national guidelines such as the Return to Work Safety Protocol; Practical Guidance for Further and Higher Education for Returning to on-site Activity in 2020; ie Covid-19 Advice, the Research Business Continuity Team (RBCT) has provided a framework to restart Research involving volunteers coming onto Campus on a restricted basis only.
• In situations where work is essential and time sensitive and cannot be conducted remotely, permission to restart work can be sought by following the RBCT’s Restricted Access Guidelines Healthy Volunteer Research on Campus. Researchers whose work is essential and time-sensitive should follow these guidelines to seek approval.
• Compliance with the national HSE guidelines, on social distancing will require significant changes to the way in which volunteer research is carried out; furthermore, permission will only be provided where work is essential and time sensitive.
• A Volunteer Declaration for volunteers coming onto Campus is available on the Research Business Continuity Supports webpage for research projects and should be signed for each visit.

• In line with national guidelines, Return to Work Safety Protocol; Practical Guidance for Further and Higher Education for Returning to on-site Activity in 2020; ie Covid-19 Advice, work which can be conducted remotely should continue to be undertaken from home where possible.
• However, in recognition of the essential nature of some Desk-Based Research Activities, as of 18^th Sept 2020, two pilot initiatives in Returning to Desk-Based Research will be undertaken by the RBCT over the coming weeks in collaboration with Campus Business Continuity Team (CBCT; Returning to Campus) CBCT. The two pilots will be rolled out in research areas which will not impact on the capacity of the campus for T&L activities - Wandesford Quay (CACSSS) and the ERI. We envisage that these pilot initiatives will help to inform the wider reopening of campus for Desk-Based Research.

• UCC Researchers - postgraduate research students, research staff and academic staff, in line with UCC Guidelines on Covid-19 Travel and Events, and National Policy and Guidelines: Return to Work Safety Protocol; Practical Guidance for Further and Higher Education for Returning to on-site Activity in 2020; ie Covid-19 Advice; Irish Government Covid 19 Travel Guidelines; Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Travel Advice Update), are advised against all non-essential travel (domestic & international) under the current public health COVID-19 restrictions.
• In compliance with Irish Government Covid 19 Travel Guidelines and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Travel Advice Update, incoming UCC students, postdoctoral researchers and research staff who have travelled from outside of Ireland (from countries not on the Green List on the day of arrival) will need to restrict their movements for a period of 14 days after arrival.
• Overseas students, including PhDs, Doctoral and Research Masters Students, will also be required to complete the UCC Symptom Tracker 14 days prior to arrival in Ireland (Pre-departure Covid-19 Symptom Tracker) and 14 days after arrival in Ireland (Restricted Movement COVID-19 Symptom Tracker). All overseas students (non-EU) are issued with a letter regarding the UCC guidelines for overseas students from the UCC International Office prior to travel, detailing the requirements for using the symptom tracker pre & post departure, as well as the 14-day restriction of movement required on arrival. All international (EU) students are issued with an email from the Graduate Studies Office directing them to relevant registration information including information on arriving from overseas.
• Travel Guidelines for all UCC Researchers are currently being drafted to comply with new national guidelines – please check Research Business Continuity Supports for further updates.

Student Requirements

All students, including Doctoral and Research Masters Students, are required to complete the Students Return to University Procedure and on-line induction module, available at https://ucc.instructure.com/courses/23678. While Doctoral and Research Masters Students have been through the RBCT processes (Research Business Continuity Supports) in some areas, it is very important they also follow this process to ensure effective and coherent communication to all of our student body.

Researchers/research staff

All new and returning postdoctoral researchers/research staff must comply with the return to work protocols set out in on the Returning to Campus Sharepoint at https://uccireland.sharepoint.com/sites/returningtocampus.

International Research Staff & Students

In compliance with Irish Government Covid 19 Travel Guidelines and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Travel Advice Update, incoming UCC students, postdoctoral researchers and research staff who have travelled from outside of Ireland (from countries not on the Green List on the day of arrival) will need to restrict their movements for a period of 14 days.

In addition, overseas students, including Doctoral and Research Masters Students, will also be required to complete the UCC Symptom Tracker 14 days prior to arrival in Ireland (Pre-departure Covid-19 Symptom Tracker) and 14 days after arrival in Ireland (Restricted Movement COVID-19 Symptom Tracker). All overseas students (Non-EU) are issued with a letter regarding the UCC guidelines for overseas students from the UCC International Office prior to travel, detailing the requirements for using the symptom tracker pre & post departure, as well as the 14-day restriction of movement required on arrival.  All international (EU) students are issued with an email from the Graduate Studies Office directing them to relevant registration information including information on arriving from overseas. 

PIs need to ensure all incoming international postdoctoral researchers, Doctoral and Research Masters Students and research staff comply with the 14-day period of Restricted Movements requirement on arriving into Ireland, in line with national requirements at this time. Furthermore, it is important that PIs ensure that all Doctoral and Research Masters Students comply with the guidelines for completing the UCC Pre-Departure and Restricted Movement (post departure) Symptom Tracker as outlined above.

Further International Student Requirements

All students, including Doctoral and Research Masters Students, are required to complete the Students Return to University Procedure and on-line induction module, available at https://ucc.instructure.com/courses/23678. While Doctoral and Research Masters Students have been through the RBCT processes (Research Business Continuity Supports) in some areas, it is very important they also follow this process to ensure effective and coherent communication to all of our student body. 

Further International Researchers/research staff requirements

All new and returning postdoctoral researchers/research staff must comply with the return to work protocols set out in the Returning to Campus Sharepoint at https://uccireland.sharepoint.com/sites/returningtocampus.

• Research Postgraduate Students must comply with their School/Department/Unit/RICU research facility protocols as set out by the protocols/guidelines given in the Research Business Continuity Supports In this regard they should consult with their supervisor/PI regarding what they must do regarding gaining access to research facilities and/or recommencing/commencing any research activities.
• Further to the RBCT protocols and guidelines, all research students including Doctoral and Research Masters Students, are required to complete the Students Return to University Procedure and on-line induction module, available at https://ucc.instructure.com/courses/23678
• Students travelling from abroad need to comply with UCC Travel Protocols, which can be accessed at UCC Covid-19 Travel & Events Advice
• Further information can be found here in the Student Research FAQ
• UCC is excited to offer you support in the form of an innovative online Transitions-In programme which will include virtual campus tours and other opportunities to familiarise yourself with our institution, as well as a range of other resources that may be of interest. The link to this programme is here.

Yes. The library has reinstated a partial interlibrary loan service which will allow us to request digital copies of materials from other libraries.

Due to continued closure of library buildings we are unable to process requests for print items. However, we will investigate the purchase of e-books as alternatives where possible. Interlibrary loan charges are waived until August 31^st 2020 except for material sourced from the British Library.

For more information on submitting an interlibrary loan request, please visit: https://libguides.ucc.ie/interlibraryloans.

Health Service Executive

Please follow advice published on the HSE website.

Seeking help

In office-hours: Contact your local GP

Out of Hours: Contact the GP Out of Hours services in your county or region:

Search for out of Hours GP services by county

Call 112 or 999 only in the case of a medical emergency

Managing anxiety: Tips for self-care

HSE Psychological Services advice on managing anxiety with tips on self-care:  hsecovid 

Crisis Text Line

Text 'UCC' to 086 1800 280 to chat anonymously with a trained volunteer 24/7.

Any Issue. Any time. (Standard SMS rates map apply)

Inspire Workplaces Counselling Services

Inspire Workplaces Counselling Services provide the University’s Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) service. University staff and their immediate families (those living at home with them who are 18 years of age and older) can avail of emotional support such as telephone counselling by calling 1800 817 435

Crisis Text Line

Text 'UCC' to 086 1800 280 to chat anonymously with a trained volunteer 24/7.

Any Issue. Any time. (Standard SMS rates map apply)

If you develop symptoms you will need to self-isolate and phone your GP. The people in your household need to restrict their movements.

Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. The GP will assess you over the phone. If they think you need to be tested for coronavirus, they will arrange a test.