Ireland is now operating under Level 5 of the Government’s plan for living with COVID-19. Under these restrictions, third level education and research are designated essential activities where they are “…not capable of being delivered through alternative means and are time-critical for students and learners during this period.” (Minister Simon Harris).
In line with this guidance and the rapidly rising COVID-19 infection rates, the University will be continuing with our existing blended learning model, but with enhanced protective measures for staff and students until at least the end of January, pending a review of the public health restrictions by Government.
UL Sport Gym, 50m & 25m Pools and all indoor and outdoor facilities including pitches are closed with the exception of facilitating elite high performance training.
Fitness Classes are being delivered online with programme details and can be booked on the UL Sport App.
You must wear a face covering in all University buildings and must follow Public Health guidelines that are key to minimising the spread of COVID-19: wash your hands properly and often, practice social distancing, cover coughs and sneezes, and follow the current Government restrictions.
On Campus Residences:
On campus residences are operating as normal. Check in for semester two commences on Sunday 17 January. The Village Reception services will open from 8.30am to 10.30pm Sunday to Thursday, 08.30am to 7pm Friday, closed Saturday with staff on call and 6.30pm to 10.30pm on Sunday evenings
Catering services:
All catering services remain closed for now. Further advice will be available later this month.
- Semester 2 starts on 25th January.
- Kemmy Business School and Faculty of Arts Humanities & Social Sciences continue online learning only.
- Faculty of Science & Engineering and Faculty of Education & Health Sciences continue blended learning mix of online and essential on-campus labs and classes.
- Travel beyond 5km is only permitted for essential activities. If you do not have scheduled teaching on-campus, you should remain at home and should not travel to Limerick or the UL campus.
- Timetables will be published during the week of 18th January. Please check your timetable carefully so that you know what on-campus labs and classes are scheduled for the week commencing 25th January.
- You are strongly encouraged to check your UL email in case your Course Director/Module Leader has made alternative arrangements for Week 1, commencing 25th January.
- If you have scheduled teaching on-campus, you may remain on campus between classes, but otherwise all communal study spaces are closed.
- Only those that absolutely need to be on campus for research purposes, where their activities cannot be undertaken remotely, should be on-site and only for the purpose and duration required to complete the tasks that cannot be done remotely.
- Communal areas, open plan spaces, rooms for group meetings and multi-occupancy offices should not be used at this time.
Library & Information Service will continue to provide a range of services including:
- Online library available 24/7
- Online help, subject guides and skills classes
- Click and Collect Service
- Scanning and Digitising
- Special Collections and Archives online only
All study spaces will be closed except for students who are between scheduled on-campus classes or labs and the library building will be closed for physical access from 5:00pm today Monday 11th January.
- All staff should continue to work from home unless required to be on campus for essential teaching or research or where necessary to prepare/access materials for online classes.
You must wear a face covering in all University buildings and must follow Public Health guidelines that are key to minimising the spread of COVID-19: wash your hands properly and often, practice social distancing, cover coughs and sneezes, and follow the current Government restrictions.
The vaccination programme is being rolled out and the end of the pandemic is in sight. However, the sudden emergence of the new, more transmissible strain means that we once again need to work together to curb the spread of the virus and protect our family, friends and frontline workers.
UL Executive recognises that the closure of schools and childcare will have an impact on some of our staff, particularly those with young children. We understand that the way you arrange your working day may change and that productivity may be impacted, and that you will do your best under the circumstances.
Fitness Classes are currently being delivered online with programme details and booking on the UL Sport App. This approach to working and learning can be isolating. Talk to others and remember that there are a range of support services available to students and staff here in UL.
Kind Regards,
Nige
Professor Nigel Healey
Interim Provost and Deputy President / Vice President Global and Community Engagement