Covid-19 Response
BCU Operational Response Levels to Covid-19
At BCU, our absolute priority is the safety of our students, staff and local community. We have developed three operational response levels to Covid-19 so that our community understands what to expect at different stages of the pandemic. Where possible, we will seek to deliver as much face-to-face activity as we are able to do safely. Where there is a change to our operational levels, we will communicate with staff and student as quickly as possible to enable them to understand how this affects their study or work.
The three operational levels are outlined below - but it is important to note that within each level, there is a spectrum of different applications. For example, one site may be subject to more restricted operations than another, or it may be necessary to close a particular building at a certain time. But the top-level principles outlined below will apply.
Our current level of operation: Blended model
Key principles
- 50% target for face-to-face teaching (excluding lectures which will remain online)
- 50% target for on-campus, face-to-face research activity
Staff movement
- All staff may attend campuses where necessary
- Majority of professional services to work remotely
Pre-arrival checks
- All staff and students to complete a standard self-assessment
Buildings
- Campus open in line with Covid-secure measures and mitigations against transmission in place
Key principles
- On-campus student activity restricted to essential only – that which could not take place remotely, eg exams or practical work
Staff movement
- Staff may only attend by invitation
- Majority of professional services to work remotely
Pre-arrival checks
- All staff on campus will require executive level approval
Buildings
- Partial closures – general teaching spaces closed, central learning spaces open
Key principles
- In-person student activity by absolute exception
- Any activity to require executive-level approval
Staff movement
- Only staff required to deliver essential services to attend campus
- Majority of professional services to work remotely
Pre-arrival checks
- All staff on campus will require executive level approval
Buildings
- Mostly closed with services stood down to a minimal level
- Maintenance can still take place
Triggering a move from one level to another
The Vice-Chancellor, advised and supported by the University Executive Group, will authorise the formal move from one level to another. The operational level will be reviewed regularly looking at the factors below.
The following factors will be taken into account when deciding whether to move to a different operational level or not:
External
- When national or regional tiers of restrictions are in place, a change in the regional tier for Birmingham
- Public health or Department for Education advice for higher education
Internal
- Significant disruption to either staff or student availability due to isolation (material disruption to move to the essential level)
- The overall Covid-19 case load at the University becoming unmanageable
- A situation where BCU cannot safely provide essential services