IADT Student Update to Studying on campus under Level 5 Restrictions
October 21st 2020
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To all IADT Students
As the country prepares, and adjusts, to the increased restrictions under Level 5 of the Plan for Living with COVID-19. I am writing to outline some additional precautions taken, and changes implemented by IADT to ensure continuity of your Semester 1 studies in a safe and supportive manner from tomorrow October 22nd.
Under the new restrictions, Higher Education is classified as an essential service; therefore, the campus will remain open for on-campus activities and teaching already scheduled and timetabled for you.
Minister Harris’s statement highlighted the following key activities – specifically relevant to IADT – as permissible and that they should continue on campus.
- teaching practical and skills-based tuition, including workshops
- engagement, including small group learning, with learners whose particular needs require additional support over and above that which can be provided online
- scheduled access to libraries and other onsite study space for those students who do not otherwise have suitable facilities or home environment to access learning remotely.
As noted in my communication of September 21st – our Institute is unique — the significant proportion of practical, project-based and technical provision integral to our programmes requires attendance on campus. IADT cannot move all programmes to 100% online provision, but we can continue to maintain the high-level of restricted and controlled access to our specialist facilities.
In anticipation of increased restrictions, additional changes were implemented over the last number of weeks as we responded to requests for further precautions under Level 3 and potentially Level 4, accordingly each Faculty prepared for a significant increase in remote/online delivery. Your Lecturers commitment, and engagement with you, has allowed several programmes to transition successfully to 100% delivery online.
This incremental move online over the last few weeks will now allow us to manage better the frequency and extent of “practical and skills-based tuition, workshops” on-campus over the period of level 5 restrictions. Your Lecturers, Programme Chairs, Heads of Department will advise you about any schedule changes that affect your timetable or on-campus attendance. While restrictions are in place until December 1st – and in order to provide certainty – it has been agreed to continue working and studying under these revised precautions through until December 11th – the last teaching day before Christmas.
IADT Student Services will continue to provide a full programme of supports throughout this period with both online and on-campus supports available to you all.
Our Library will be providing you with scheduled access to study spaces for those of you who do not otherwise have suitable facilities or a home environment to access learning remotely. This facility will be available by appointment only. The service includes options to book a Mac, PC, desk or soft-seating space, and laptop loans are also available to our students while they are in the Library. Details can be found on the Library website.
I acknowledge that continued restrictions imposed upon you are disruptive and challenging. However, it is our careful scheduling and your high-level of compliance with our C-19 protocols that has ensured that the campus has remained a safe and supportive, Covid-free environment for you all since we returned in September.
As we move to operate under Level 5 conditions, it is vitally important that we maintain the same high-levels of compliance and continue to limit and monitor on-campus work and study. In a period of heightened restrictions, it is incumbent on us all to adhere to this high-level of precaution, not only on campus but in all of our daily interactions.
Finally – and as per the Minister’s statement – I would like to advise and recommend that for travel to and from campus walking and cycling is encouraged. Public transport can be used where necessary.
With my continued support and commitment to you.
David Smith
President