1 December 2010
Statement regarding Semester 1 Examinations and campus building openings
University of Dundee management are confident that Semester 1 examinations, which begin on Monday, will go ahead as scheduled in spite of the extreme weather conditions currently being experienced across the UK.
Fewer snowfalls are forecast over the coming days and through the weekend, despite continuing low temperatures.
On that basis, the University is confident that, at a minimum, the following buildings will remain open for the rest of the week: Tower Building, Welcome Trust Building and Campus Main Library. Staff based in those buildings, who are able to travel to work safely, should do so. The opening hours for the Library will be 9am-6.30pm on Thursday and Friday. Opening hours for the weekend will be posted by 4.00 pm on Friday.
Decisions on whether to open other buildings on the University estate will be made each morning, and staff and students are advised to check their emails, the University's Twitter and Facebook pages, and the local media for regular updates on the situation as it develops each day.
It is expected that the University will be operating as normal from Monday, 6th December 2010 and that examinations scheduled for this week will go ahead as planned. However, management will continue to monitor the position closely and will provide further updates on the position with respect to examinations by 4pm on Friday and Sunday.
University Secretary Dr Jim McGeorge said management were attempting to minimise the disruption to students and staff.
"Obviously, this is a very important time for students and, of major concern to many is the fact they are due to sit examinations next week," he said.
"We are optimistic that the examination diet from 6th-17th December, will go ahead as scheduled unless we see a return of severe weather. We are mindful of the possible effect on students, and this is why ensuring that the University's Main Library has been open for as long as possible each day has been of great importance this week.
"The University fully understands the frustration that students and staff are experiencing as a result of the heavy snow over the past few days and hope they continue to show patience as we deal with the developing situation.
"We are dealing with extraordinary conditions and circumstances that change frequently. We are therefore waiting until the position becomes clear each morning before taking decisions in the hope of being able to keep as many facilities open as possible. At a minimum, this should mean the Tower Building, Wellcome Trust Building and Library will be open on Thursday and Friday.
"We are working hard to keep students and staff up to date with developments. Some staff and students have experienced difficulty accessing email remotely so we would ask them to please note, that the University website is being updated on a regular basis and Radio Tay, Facebook and Twitter are also being used to inform staff and students regarding the current position.
"The safety of staff and students is paramount, and they should continue to exercise great care when travelling and walking on University roads and paths. A great many staff have worked incredibly hard to ensure we have been able to continue operating, albeit at a reduced capacity and we are grateful for their support."
The University is fully appreciative that the weather has caused issues for students with coursework to hand in, and so have put in place arrangements to allow work to be handed in to the Tower Building reception. All work handed in will be formally logged and should be clearly marked with the student's name, matriculation number, and the name of the receiving school and tutor.
For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07800 581902 |
