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Keeping each other safe

What we are doing and what we require you do to keep each other safe in 2020/21

During these uncertain times it is more important than ever that we support and respect each other. This includes other students, University staff and members of the communities in which we live.

The University expects all students to act responsibly at all times, on and off campus. The safety of our students, staff and the wider community is paramount, however we also expect students to maintain the University's good name and standing at all times.

Last semester we introduced a set of Keeping each other safe principles, which explained the University’s clear expectations on student behaviour during the ongoing pandemic. These cover the behaviour we expect of students on campus, in student accommodation and in the wider community.

The principles below have been incorporated into the Brookes Behaviour guidance, which sets out expectations for students and the University and provides resources to support you. How the University will deal with breaches of conduct are detailed in the Student Conduct Procedures, to which all students agree to adhere to as part of their enrolment. The University will consider any reports of non-compliance and if it is deemed that any misconduct has occurred, penalties can be issued such as fines, unpaid community service and/or exclusion from facilities and services provided by the University.

The University will consider any reports of non-compliance and if it is deemed that any misconduct has occurred, penalties can be issued such as fines, unpaid community service and/or exclusion from facilities and services provided by the University.

Update

Since the Keeping each other safe principles were initially published, new laws have been introduced that mean the police can issue fines for those who are breaking the rules. These rules cover gatherings of people both inside and outside, self-isolation after a positive Covid-19 test result or under instruction from NHS Test and Trace, as well as international travel into the UK and subsequent quarantine.

The University works closely with Oxford City Council and Thames Valley Police to address student behaviour, including student gatherings. If you are found in breach of current Covid-19 law, you may face criminal charges. The Government has announced new, tougher police enforcement measures from fixed penalty notices for illegal gatherings of £200 for a first offence and up to £6,400 for repeat offences. If you hold, or are involved in holding, an illegal gathering of over 30 people, the police can issue fines of £10,000. The police are also able to take action retrospectively.

The University's action, including any penalty imposed, will be separate from and in addition to any action taken by the police or local authority. You can find more information on the rules about meeting people on the UK Government guidance webpage.

A failure to self-isolate where required will be considered a significant breach of the Keeping each other safe principles and therefore a breach of the student conduct regulations. You are required to self-isolate by law if you test positive or are contacted by Test and Trace. Not isolating for the full period of time can mean a fine, which can start from £1,000.

The Government has also published new rules and guidance for people travelling into the UK. Please visit our Travelling to the UK during the Covid-19 pandemic webpage to find out what this will mean for you, including rules around quarantining.

All students are asked to read and follow the principles below.

How we will keep each other safe on campus

What we need students to do What the University will do
Follow Government Covid-19 guidance and laws Keep up-to-date with Government changes and inform students if these may affect their experience on campus
Visit campus only when attending face-to-face teaching or for other permitted reasons Be clear on communication regarding permitted activities and reasons for students to visit campus
Follow University guidance for Covid-19 testing Make available and promote the process for Covid-19 testing
Maintain a social distance on campus Carefully plan all our teaching activity and support services to make social distancing possible
Wear face coverings whilst on campus and when travelling between campuses on public transport Have face coverings for sale on campus
Wear a sunflower lanyard to indicate you have a legitimate reason that you are exempt from wearing face coverings Provide lanyards together with clear guidance for use, for those students and staff who choose to indicate their exemption from wearing face coverings.
Not question those wearing a sunflower lanyard to show they are exempt from wearing face coverings Provide lanyards for those students and staff who choose to indicate their exemption from wearing face coverings
Respect the adaptations made to your learning environment for your own safety Provide a safe learning environment and allow only essential visitors on campus
Adhere to one-way systems to ensure physical distancing Provide clear signage and safe routes for movement around campus
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water and/or sanitiser Provide sufficient supplies of soap and sanitiser
Clean personal spaces you have used in classrooms at the end of teaching sessions Provide sufficient supplies of cleaning materials, implement procedures and supply clothing to protect cleaning staff and other staff who support everyone on campus
Provide any necessary information for test and trace purposes Develop approaches to test and trace which are non-intrusive and easy to use
Support each other and be respectful of each other whilst on campus Have a behaviour policy to support students and ensure their safety and wellbeing

How we will keep each other safe where we live while at university

What we need students to do
  • Stay at home if you have any symptoms of coronavirus
  • Wear face coverings in any large shared areas or communal spaces
  • Behave reasonably and adhere to any government guidance and Covid laws when using any shared or communal spaces to ensure your safety and the safety of others at all times
  • Wash your hands regularly with soap and water and/or sanitiser and clean shared spaces/equipment after use
  • Be mindful of the needs of roommates and be respectful and courteous towards them at all times

  • Follow the Government rules on forming support or childcare bubbles, where one household has a single adult or a single adult and children 

  • Self-isolate and arrange to be tested if you have symptoms of coronavirus or have been contacted via NHS Test and Trace or the Covid Response Team

  • Take two rapid Covid-19 tests when you first arrive or return to face-to-face teaching, otherwise you will have to self-isolate for 10 days before you come onto campus

  • Attend twice-weekly rapid Covid-19 testing while continuing to come to campus

  • Report a positive Coronavirus test result or if you are isolating as soon as possible 

  • Provide any necessary information for test and trace purposes and follow any self-isolation instructions you are given

  • Contact Wellbeing or the Brookes Union Advice Centre if you are concerned about yourself or about others
  • Remember that whether on or off campus, you represent Oxford Brookes University in how you behave and what you do
  • Follow all international travel and quarantine rules that apply if travelling to the University from a country outside of the UK.

How we will keep each other safe in the community

What we need students to do
  • Maintain a social distance in the community; avoiding large gatherings and adhering to measures in place for our safety
  • Wear face coverings in any communal spaces within the community and on public transport
  • Adhere to any government guidance when out in the community and using shared spaces
  • Follow the Government rules on forming support or childcare bubbles, where one household has a single adult or a single adult and children
  • Walk or cycle when travelling within the community wherever possible
  • Wash your hands regularly with soap and water and/or sanitiser and clean shared spaces/equipment after use
  • Be mindful of the needs of those who live alongside you in the community and be respectful towards them at all times
  • Remember that even when off campus, you represent Oxford Brookes University in how you behave and what you do
  • Volunteer and take opportunities to support those in our community whenever you can
  • Contact Wellbeing or the Brookes Union Advice Centre if you want advice about the safety of our community
  • Provide any necessary information for test and trace purposes and follow any self-isolation instructions from NHS Test and Trace or the Oxford Brookes Covid Response Team
  • Stay at home if you have any symptoms of coronavirus and inform the University
  • Follow all international travel and quarantine rules that apply if travelling to the University from a country outside of the UK.

Support bubbles

We understand that with current restrictions it is difficult for everyone to meet up with their friends and family. Guidance on what is and what is not allowed under the current laws and government advice can be confusing. We know this is particularly true regarding Support Bubbles.

To help you, we have summarised some key points regarding support bubbles here.

It is against the law to meet socially with family or friends unless they are part of your household (a household is people you live with in your flat or house, but not everyone in your block of flats) or support bubble. You cannot leave home for recreational or leisure purposes such as for a picnic or a social meeting.

A support bubble is

  • a support network which links a maximum of 2 households
  • permitted only for those who meet the eligibility rules: not everyone can form a support bubble.

Those in a support bubble can have close contact as if they were the same household and they do not need to maintain social distance with people in their support bubble. Social distancing guidance should continue to be followed with people outside of the support bubble. This is critical to keeping everyone as safe as possible.

You can form a support bubble with another household of any size if:

  • you live by yourself – even if carers visit you to provide support
  • you are the only adult in your household who does not need continuous care as a result of a disability
  • your household includes a child who is under the age of one or was under that age on 2 December 2020
  • your household includes a child with a disability who requires continuous care and is under the age of 5, or was under that age on 2 December 2020
  • you are aged 16 or 17 living with others of the same age and without any adults
  • you are a single adult living with one or more children who are under the age of 18 or were under that age on 12 June 2020.

You should not form a support bubble with a household that is part of another support bubble.

Consequences

If you are found in breach of current Covid law, you may face criminal charges. The Government has announced new, tougher police enforcement measures from fixed penalty notices for illegal gatherings of £200 for a first offence and up to £6,400 for repeat offences. If you hold, or are involved in holding, an illegal gathering of over 30 people, the police can issue fines of £10,000. The police are also able to take action retrospectively.

The University can take action under the Student Conduct Procedures and its action, including any penalty imposed, will be separate from and in addition to any action taken by the police or local authority. You can find more information on the rules about meeting people on the UK Government guidance webpage.

Changing your support bubble

Where possible, you should avoid changing your support bubble. If you decide to change your support bubble, you should treat your previous bubble as a separate household for 10 days before forming a new bubble.

The support bubble guidance states that they are to be formed with a maximum of two households ONLY and one of the households needs to meet the criteria listed above.

Scenarios