Email to students 25 November 2021

Subject: Strike action planned for next week

Dear students,

We wrote to you last week following confirmation from the national University and College Union (UCU) that industrial action will take place in universities across the UK in the form of three days of action taking place next week on Wednesday 1, Thursday 2 and Friday 3 December. This will be accompanied by continuous action short of a strike meaning staff will work to their contracted hours and duties and not volunteer to do more. 

Maintaining students' studies is at the heart of our planning for the period of industrial action. We are working closely with academic departments to monitor the situation and make the necessary arrangements to minimise any potential impact on your studies and university experience. 

I would therefore like to remind all students that you should assume your teaching and learning activities will take place as normal. It is very important that you engage with your scheduled teaching, labs, assessments and other learning activities, unless you have been told otherwise by your department. 

We will not understand the extent of uptake of industrial action among our staff until just before, or at the start of any day of action. As soon as this is established, departments will be better able to advise you of any changes to your timetabled teaching and learning activities. Please keep looking at your emails and text messages for any such notifications.

All student support services, including the library, catering, accommodation, wellbeing support and sports facilities will operate as usual.

We have created a website including a Frequently Asked Questions page for you, which covers lots more information and guidance. We will also post the latest news and updates here to keep you informed of progress.

Best wishes,

Charlie Jeffery

Vice-Chancellor