From today, buildings in UCD will operate using “out-of-hours” protocols, in a move that is set to severely restrict movement on campus. The protocol requires staff and students to request permission from their school, in order to enter a building. The new protocols are expected to dramatically reduce staff and student access on campus, in an effort to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
To access the Newman and Engineering buildings, individuals must request access from their school over email. Once access is granted, the school will email Estate Services with permission to allow the staff member or student inside the building. After checking for UCD identity, access to the building can be granted. Estate Services must be informed when leaving the building.
For all other buildings, individuals will need to contact the school’s office directly for access. Once granted access, you must inform Estate Services when you are entering and exiting the building: “For the purposes of health and safety, in order to keep track of who is in each building, we are now asking everyone to email estates@ucd.ie when entering and exiting a building.” Ucards must also be carried at all times.
According to Estate Services, many staff and researchers already have “pre-existing access arrangements for out-of-hours access to buildings.” The new protocols have been arranged for staff and students without existing arranged procedures.
Estate Services have said on their website: “Access arrangements for buildings / campus will be reviewed and updated in line with national advice and operational requirements.” A section outlining these new protocols also states: “Building access is available for tasks where individuals cannot effectively work from home.”
The Student Centre is partially open for use of the pharmacy. UCD sport, fitness and pool facilities are closed until the 29th March. UCD Libraries will reopen from today. For up to date information on what’s open on campus, be sure to regularly check the UCD website. Here’s a handy link to keep saved: https://www.ucd.ie/about-ucd/about/covid-19specialarrangementsfaqs/?fbclid=IwAR3azpiTITU13vj2bTN3hsSiAFs_OcKor8jupSID5AHxXchSIHxnhvBKb3I
The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced on March 12th that schools and colleges would close until March 29th, in order to combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus. UCD will move to teaching and learning online for the remainder of the academic year. The online system is due to go live for students from March 23rd.
Updates will continue over the coming weeks…
Conor Capplis – Editor
