An email sent out to students yesterday from the UCD registrar stated, “Teaching spaces not in use will be accessible for self-study without booking”. Limited spaces in certain locations including the Brava Lounge in the Student Centre are also available.

An email sent out to students yesterday from UCD Registrar and Deputy President, Professor Mark Rogers introduced new study spaces that will be available to students in addition to those already available in the UCD libraries. The email which contained further updates on how COVID-19 restrictions would implicate life on campus highlighted the facilities which will remain open despite the recent decision by university management to continue the remainder of the semester online.

Students will be able to walk into un-used study spaces on-demand, without booking. UCD Estates spoke with the College Tribune and clarified that informal self-study spaces, other than teaching spaces, can be viewed and should be reserved online at https://ucd.libcal.com. In addition to UCD’s five libraries, the Clinton Auditorium and the Brava Lounge within UCD Student Centre are available. 

The same rules apply to the new study spaces as in the libraries. Face coverings are mandatory, physical distancing practices (2 metres between students) are to be undertaken and students are asked to clean down their spaces upon departure. Contact tracing will take place using the HSE’s Contact Tracing App.

The above spaces provide an alternative for students to potentially book group study sessions or to arrange necessary group project meetings as UCD James Joyce Library confirmed today that group study and meeting rooms will remain closed throughout all libraries and that bookings are only available on an “individual basis”.

Eve Moore – Reporter