2020/21 archived information

Statement from the President and Vice Chancellor of the University of Bolton

The President and Vice Chancellor of the University of Bolton, Professor George E Holmes DL, has pledged that:

* No student will be disadvantaged academically by lockdown restrictions.
* The University will be as flexible as possible with students, within the Government instructions.
* The University will offer as much academic and pastoral support as possible during what we recognise is a challenging period.

Details about Covid-19 testing requirements before attending campus, as well as the teaching, pastoral, financial and student services support available is outlined in the Student FAQs.

Teaching

From March 8, 2021, students (both domestic and international) are able to attend campus to use specialist resources on certain practical/practice-based courses as detailed in the Student FAQs section.

Covid tests before visiting campus

If possible, students should seek a Covid test local to where they are currently living, if available, prior to returning to campus.

We would encourage you to use the asymptomatic testing facility at Bolton One on your arrival at the University and before accessing any facilities or classes, via the online booking system. Students are strongly encouraged to take two tests ideally three days apart; if you choose not to take a test then government guidance is that you should self-isolate for 10 days prior to returning to campus.

Seat Availability - LibCal - University of Bolton Library

Shielding

If you are classed as extremely clinically vulnerable you MUST stay at home.

I would reiterate that no students, including those who have to shield at home, will be academically disadvantaged by this lockdown.

International Students

The government has advised international students that are currently outside of the UK to stay where they are until this stricter lockdown is relaxed. International students, wherever you are in the world, should join online learning for your courses in the same way as those in the UK.

We will shortly write to all new and continuing international students separately to provide further details of arriving back to the UK.

Assessments

The University of Bolton will be as flexible as it is possible to be with students throughout lockdown and this extends to arrangements about assessments.

Student Services

The Student Centre is open for essential purposes only between 8:45am and 5pm, Monday to Friday with reduced staffing.

Students unable to come to the campus can contact members of Student Services staff using the online chat facility AskUs - Ask Us (bolton.ac.uk), or you can telephone 01204 903733 or email studentadvisors@bolton.ac.uk

Services available to students include:

• Academic Advice, including: Mitigating Circumstances, Appeals, Course Transfers, Timetables.
• Pastoral Support, including: Student Funding, Student Support Fund (formerly the University Hardship Fund), Disability Services, Laptop Loan enquiries and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Visit https://libguides.bolton.ac.uk/studentservices for useful information on Student Services.

Extra support

If you are self-isolating or have tested positive for COVID-19 the University has a number of support packages to help you. These include food parcels, food vouchers and care packages.

To find out more, please email the Student Advisors studentadvisors@bolton.ac.uk or telephone 01204 903733.

Support specifically for International Students

The University has recruited two International Student Champions to support other international students. If you are an international student and require support you can contact either the Student Advisors using the details above or either of the International Student Champions via email: M.Vyas@bolton.ac.uk or S.Yasmeen@ bolton.ac.uk.

Mental Health support

Life Lounge: The Life Lounge is open between 8:45am and 5pm Monday to Friday with reduced staffing for essential purposes only and for students who have a pre-booked appointment. Students who are unable to come to campus can contact members of Life Lounge staff by email lifelounge@bolton.ac.uk or by telephone 01204 903566.

Life Lounge staff have also developed online mental health and wellbeing resources including self-help materials that can be accessed at: Home - Mental Health and Wellbeing - Subject Guides at The University of Bolton

Life Lounge services include: Counselling, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Mental Health Assessments undertaken by the Mental Health Advisors.

To register for the Life Lounge please use the following link: Life Lounge - Student Support (bolton.ac.uk)

In addition, the University of Bolton works with a number of external partners who are there to support you these include:

Umii: a social platform for University of Bolton students to talk to peers. Download the Umii app onto your smart phone.

It is exclusive to the University of Bolton student population and will allow you to match with other students who have similar interests to you. This could be really useful to keep in touch with other students.

(How to Download: Head to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, search for UMII and then create an account using your @bolton.ac.uk email address.)

TogetherAll: a free and confidential mental health and wellbeing support platform that students can access through Togetherall; an online community available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Togetherall | A safe community to support your mental health, 24/7

SHOUT – a confidential and free crisis text service. Text SHOUT to 85258 and you will be contacted by a specially trained volunteer who will give you support through text. They are accessible 24/7 and will be support you through your time of crisis. Text Shout to 85258 - (it is confidential and free for all UK major networks)

Or you can contact the Samaritans who are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by phoning 116 123

Library

The Library remains open for essential purposes only. Individual study spaces remain available:

• To students who do not have appropriate access to online study facilities at home or in their local accommodation.
• Where students need to attend campus individual study spaces for their own wellbeing and mental health.

Where possible students are advised to study at home and make use of online learning resources (see below for details). 

The Library will be open 9am-5pm with a limited staffing base. Controlled click and collect and browse services remain available.

All visits to the Library must be booked online in advance and all social distancing and one-way measures must be observed. 

• Book an individual study space
• Book a collection/return/browse slot

The Library continues to develop its online resources and support. 

• A huge digital library is available via Discover@Bolton, including over 200,000 eBooks and thousands of electronic journals
• Our online Library Chat will be extended to cover 9am-5pm Monday-Friday
• If you are struggling to make use of online library resources, you can book an appointment with an Academic Librarian.  

A wide range of support material including Subject Guides and Frequently Asked Questions are available online

Careers

Careers and Employment Support, remains accessible in person for essential purposes only via the help desk in the Careers Office, located within the Student Centre. It is open from 8:45am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

If any student wants to book a full guidance interview, speak to a member of the team, have a CV or application form checked, or attend any careers workshops, these are being delivered online, and can be accessed via Student Hub at: https://studenthub.bolton.ac.uk

The University of Bolton campus will be open from 8.45am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

For full details of the new lockdown restrictions announced by the Prime Minister, please visit www.gov.uk.

Thank you and stay safe.

Professor George E Holmes DL
President and Vice Chancellor
University of Bolton