All staff and students are advised by RCS and the Scottish Government to stay at home and NOT attend campus if they have potential Coronavirus symptoms (new and persistent cough, fever/high temperature (37.8C or greater), loss or change to sense of taste or smell).
If you become unwell with coronavirus symptoms on campus you should:
• Avoid touching anything and maintain 2m distancing.
• Leave the room you are working in and, if possible, wear a face covering on route to Client Services reception so that you can access the first aid room.
• You will need to self-isolate straight away and Client Services will support you with arrangements to get home and take details so that AAS can be informed. Students must also follow the Student Absence Reporting process using the ASIMUT absence function on Moodle.
• If at any point you become very unwell, Client Services should be contacted to call an ambulance.
• Try to avoid public transport but if you need to use it try to keep away from other people
• If you are not a driver with a car nearby, or too unwell to drive yourself home, arrangements should be made for a household member or taxi to take you home.
• Ensure your Head of Programme, or supervisor is informed by someone else or by phone / email.
• You should arrange a test though www.nhsinform.scot or, if you can’t get online, use your mobile to call 0800 028 2816, to arrange to get tested.
• Cough or sneeze into a tissue and put it in a bin, or if you do not have tissues, cough and sneeze into the crook of you elbow.
• You must then follow the guidance on self-isolation and not return to work or study on site until your period of self-isolation has been completed.
• Domestic Services should be contacted by Client Services and advised of any areas where the person has spent time recently so that these areas can be subjected to enhanced cleaning.
Until you have been tested and told if it is safe to leave home, you must not come to the RCS campus.
Students who have symptoms, however mild, should remain in their accommodation (or home, if it is in Glasgow) and arrange to be tested at the first possible opportunity by visiting the NHS Inform website. You should not leave your accommodation for any reason other than to attend for a test and you should minimise contact with others in your ‘household’. You should notify all other members of your ‘household’ as they will also be required to quarantine for 14 days, unless you subsequently get a negative test result.
People who have tested positive for the virus will need to self-isolate for up to 10 days and must not return to RCS until they have completed the isolation period and are fever-free for at least 48 hours. If they feel well enough, and they are able to study remotely, they may do so.
If you receive a positive test result for covid-19, NHS contact tracers will interview you and get in touch with people you have been in close contact with, and tell them they must self test for 7 days. If you are informed by a contact tracer that you should isolate, you should do so straight away. You may feel well, as the virus could still be incubating when you are asked to isolate. Some people who are asked to isolate may not become unwell, but they must stay at home and self-isolate.
If you become unwell and are too unwell to continue study, you should inform your Head of Programme that you are unwell and sickness absence will be recorded in the normal way. If you test positive for Covid-19 during this period you should notify your Head of Programme. Heads of Programme should give as much support to their students as they can while they are away.
RCS will not ask anyone isolating to come into the buildings before their period of isolation is complete, in any circumstances.
Once a person who is a possible Covid case has left the premises, the immediate area occupied by the individual, e.g. first aid room and activity area, will be cleaned with detergent to remove organic matter such as dust or body fluids then a disinfectant to kill pathogens. This should include any potentially contaminated high contact areas such as door handles, telephones and grab-rails. Once this process has been completed, the area can be put back into use. Activity in the room will have to be temporarily suspended till this process has been completed.
Any public areas where a symptomatic or COVID-19 diagnosed individual has only passed through (spent minimal time in), e.g. corridors, and which are not visibly contaminated with any body fluids, do not need to be further decontaminated beyond routine cleaning processes.
Points to keep in mind
• Self-isolation may be required on more than one occasion.
• NHS contact tracers may require someone to self-isolate even if they have previously tested positive for coronavirus and have recovered.
• Covid-19 could affect any of us so please remember to be supportive to anyone who may be affected.
• If we follow the social distancing guidance, hand hygiene guidance and other measures such as wearing face coverings we are less likely to be affected and therefore less likely to need additional measures that could affect our studies or work.
What will be building be like?
There are videos of both Renfrew Street and Wallace Studios to show you exactly how things will look.
Mask-wearing is required as you move around the building.
Social distancing and good hygiene practices are in place, with additional handwashing and sanitising facilities available.
There is a strict limit on the number of people that can be in the building at any one time. If you are on the premises, it must be for a scheduled reason and we ask that you do not linger any longer than necessary, allowing others who are scheduled to be in later to have access.
There will be no access for members of the public, just staff and students.
There is a registration system in place on entry to capture the names and contact details of those in the building on any date, as required by government guidance. If there were to be an outbreak, there are measures in place to help support official track and trace functions.
Please make sure that you give your up to date contact details to the AAS office.
Am I required to work in the building?
Timetable details and any specific guidance will be sent to students by their programme teams. A Welcome Home Support Team is in place for students offering a range of support, including assistance for those who require to quarantine.
Taking three doses of Covid vaccine is the best way of keeping yourself and others safe and we recommend strongly that all students and staff take up the opportunity to be vaccinated when offered. There is also evidence that Long Covid infections are also reduced in the vaccinated population.
Covid vaccines are now available to everyone over the age of 16. There is still time to ensure that those of you can have three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine before arriving on campus. The more people who are vaccinated against coronavirus, the better we can help reduce transmission and the health consequences if you do catch the virus.
For further info:
The wearing of a face covering while moving around the campus buildings is currently mandatory. Risk assessments will determine the appropriateness of not using them in teaching spaces, to facilitate learning interactions. There will be Perspex screens to facilitate communication in key places (such as AAS reception) and transparent face coverings for our D/deaf community and others who work with the cohort.
There is a growing body of scientific evidence and guidance around face covering usage and types which we are following and, together with Universities Scotland, implementing with priority given first and foremost to protecting health and reducing transmission of viral particles.
At present the café bar is not open but options to provide catering are being explored for the beginning of term.
The building won’t be open to the general public for the time being.
How will numbers present in the building be managed?
A building occupancy has been set and will be closely monitored. Only staff and students who have programmed activities or agreed access will be allowed on campus.
Will there be regular temperature taking of staff/students?
No. At present we do not plan regular temperature testing. For more information on current government guidance on temperature checking follow this link https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-covid-19-shielding/
What processes are in place to ensure students and staff who have to operate shared equipment are safe both in class and on location?
Each department will carry out a risk assessment to identify hazards such as shared equipment and what cleaning protocols are required to reduce the risk such as minimising the sharing of equipment and cleaning materials needed. Cleaning materials will be provided as required.
Will there be overnight cleaning of the teaching rooms or plans to clean work/office areas and equipment?
There will be regular cleaning of the campus and this has been increased. Rooms will be cleaned at the end of the day and during the day. Staff and students can play a part in keeping the campus safe by ensuring rooms and corridors are kept clear of litter, equipment is cleaned as appropriate after use and by maintaining a regular personal regime of handwashing and/or sanitising.
Will there be a Perspex barrier of any type to act as a barrier and will there be any extra air ventilation or filtering in rooms?
The room occupancies have been reduced so any teaching room that has been identified as suitable for 2 people has more than 1m distancing space available. Most of the rooms have natural ventilation while the need for any barriers will be identified through departmental risk assessments.
Are there additional hand washing stations?
Additional sinks have been provided in Renfrew Street and Wallace Studios. There will also be additional hand sanitiser stations installed around the buildings.
What if I become aware are that a member of staff or a student is not adhering to the safety guidelines?
We would hope that any concerns can be discussed in a positive way with the individual concerned in the first instance. If this is not possible, anyone who has concerns should email covidsafe@rcs.ac.uk.
Are First Aiders going to be identified and receive additional training to deal with Covid-19?
Client Services staff are the trained first aiders in all buildings. All accidents should be reported to them in the first instance. A guidance document has been created for first aiders and refresher training is being arranged.
Will room set up be done in advance by client services?
Rooms will be set-up as normal but where distancing is required and controlled by furniture positioning, for example in an ensemble, then moving furniture is discouraged.
Will there be more parking provisions as an alternate to using public transport?
There will be very limited parking available as at present. Reduced staff numbers will be in the building at any one time which it is hoped will be of assistance.
What changes have been made to the building cleaning regime?
An additional cleaning programme has been put in place. Deep cleans with safe materials (sanitising solutions and hot water, for example) will take place on a regular basis during the day.
Will there be additional suitable waste disposal provision?
Suitable waste disposal will be arranged. Numbers in the building will be limited which will assist.
We are taking comprehensive steps to protect the health and wellbeing of every student.
We will always closely follow national guidelines, potentially going beyond them at times, learning from the best practice from around the world. This inevitably has consequences for life on campus.
This isn’t a complete list of the measures we will take, but hopefully gives you a sense of our commitment to your safety.
We have a Welcome Home Support Team who are on hand to deliver essential groceries, medical supplies and other household items. Please contact welcomehome@rcs.ac.uk to speak to a member of the team – we are here to help.
The Library is now fully open.
You can watch this short video to find out how to book a study space in the Library.
You will be able to book a desk for study, or a desk with a PC for study, and browse & borrow in person. We are also continuing to offer the Click & Collect service
Additionally, full access to thousands of e-resources via our Catalogue for E-Books, and thousands of additional e-resources via Catalogue Plus . You can also check out our E-resource data base listing and our E-journal titles. Additionally, we have made the following updates:
The RCS Counselling Service is accessible through email. Please contact Dr Jane Balmforth on j.balmforth@rcs.ac.uk or Manisha Gosar (CBT therapist) on m.gosar@rcs.ac.uk to arrange an online appointment or request information.
Students can also arrange CBT counselling by contacting Mairi Gillies, Cognitive Behavioural (CBT) therapist at mairi@mgtherapy.co.uk
Ross Paterson, the counsellor who is available weekday evenings 5-8pm on westendcommunitycounselling@gmail.com
Stephanie McDermid provides counselling in BSL and online counselling on stephanier1975@btinternet.com
For a full list of the Counselling Team and mental health resources, please log on to the Student Portal, click on Student Support, click on Counselling & mental health.
The online supportive community, Togetherall, is also available 24/7 – sign in with your RCS email address.
We are committed to using our Discretionary funds we have to help as many of our students as possible. Please email welfare@rcs.ac.uk with your circumstances in the first instance.
Help Musicians Scotland has asked us to share their details for performing musicians needing crisis support. Their link is given here.
Yes, the ELS is available on-line. Please contact Ursula and Josh, the ELS tutors, on els@rcs.ac.uk for help with written work. This includes help with researching, structuring and planning as well as getting feedback on what you’ve written. You can get help whatever stage you’re at – whether you don’t know where to start or you’ve written 2,000 words. Ursula and Josh can also help, if for example, you’re writing a reflection, summarising, preparing a bibliography or trying to prioritise tasks.
Yes, support is available, please contact disabilityservice@rcs.ac.uk with your enquiry.
You will need a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) code to apply for your visa. CASs are issued once a successful applicant has accepted an unconditional offer, paid their deposit, emailed to international@rcs.ac.uk a copy of the ID page of their passport and completed the CAS Evidence Request Form. CASs are issued in batches once a week and more frequently in August and September. Most applicants will need to submit their biometric information at a UK Visa Application Centre (VAC). VACs should all now be now open but there may still delays and reduced availability of appointments. If you are concerned that delays may mean that you can’t arrive in Glasgow in time to start your course, please contact matriculation@rcs.ac.uk . Please do not travel to the UK as a visitor with the intention to “switch” to the Student route from within the UK as this is not possible. Further information can be viewed here.
When the Home Office grants you an entry clearance (i.e. a visa), it tells you that you need to collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) 90 days after arrival in the UK or before the expiry date on the sticker (vignette) in your passport, whichever is the later. This allows anyone needing to quarantine, enough time to collect their BRP from the Post Office. Those with electronic immigration permission do not need to collect a BRP.
Can I move into Base early?
Base may be able to allow students to move in early if we can accommodate it. This will be on a case by case basis.
What health & safety measures are in place at Base?
Regular cleaning, 2m distancing, hand gels on site and cleaning wipes in communal areas.
Are cleaning crews doing extra work there?
There is housekeeping 7 days a week and all communal areas will be cleaned daily. Base will be carrying out more regular cluster inspections to ensure the level of cleanliness is high in all areas.
Will the cinema room be open? Gym?
Base will open all areas as per government advice however all areas will have reduced numbers of people allowed at one time.
Are practice rooms going to be cleaned regularly as well?
Practice rooms will be cleaned daily and will be supplied with hand gel and disinfectant wipes for students to use before and after use.
What if someone I’m sharing a block with gets sick? What if someone at Base gets sick?
If a student in a cluster gets sick they will be advised to self-isolate within their room and Base can assist with any food delivery. Communal kitchen use will be at set times and will be the responsibility of the student to clean down after use.
