Leeds Trinity University is a family - and we’re all in this ‘new normal’ of campus life together

In a week when national debate has raged around university provision in the UK, students in Leeds have been getting to grips with new ways of life and learning.
University campuses in the city may be quiter than usual but students and lecturers are getting back to the 'new' normal of academic life. Picture: Andreas Gebert/Getty ImagesUniversity campuses in the city may be quiter than usual but students and lecturers are getting back to the 'new' normal of academic life. Picture: Andreas Gebert/Getty Images
University campuses in the city may be quiter than usual but students and lecturers are getting back to the 'new' normal of academic life. Picture: Andreas Gebert/Getty Images

In a week when national debate has raged around university provision in the UK, students in Leeds have been getting to grips with new ways of life and learning.

At Leeds Trinity University (LTU) planning for this moment has been in the making for half a year. It’s been an exhausting rollercoaster of trying to prepare for the unknown in terms of what, where and how. What will university look like? Where will we be teaching? And how can we deliver the quality and standards that our students, graduate employers and our institution expect and deserve?

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The shifting sands of government policy have certainly kept universities up and down the country on their toes, with major decisions being entirely at the mercy of changing regulations. As a result, it’s been a long journey from March, when the university shifted to online delivery, to September, when the campus flats are once again clamouring with the chatter of undergraduates navigating life away from home.

At LTU we worked really hard during that time to deliver teaching and learning to a high standard; we organised remote placements where possible, we delivered education and exams online, we facilitated access to learning, supported delayed submissions and worked throughout summer and our holidays to get the work done.

And there were the unseen extras; one example being in the shape of preparing for, and then sitting and passing my PhD viva from my bedroom while my children were bribed to be quiet with popcorn and movies by my husband in the sitting room downstairs.

The work has been worth it; we have seen students completing their degrees, passing additional accreditation qualifications remotely and employers snapping up our graduates. We have been proud of our students, some of whom have had exceptionally challenging times of their own. And we are so pleased to see them and be working with them again.

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But, after all this, what is university like? Where are we teaching? And how are we upholding the quality of our delivery?

Well, the corridors are certainly quieter due to the one-way system in place. Campus teaching is available for all our undergraduate students, but at set times to allow us to keep to the capacity limits.

We wear PPE and everyone must regularly sanitise not only their hands, but also their workspaces. Masks are worn by students and staff. We record all our live teaching to make it available to students who cannot come onto campus and when we return home, we find ourselves working on recorded or live remote teaching as well.

There is also pastoral support; our students rely on us and need us to help settle into university life. We are doing everything we can to offer that support and to signpost the myriad services provided by LTU.

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The return to campus has been challenging for everyone, including other vital university staff; cleaners and facilities workers, caterers, administrators and student support.

But at LTU we are a bit of a family and our students know we are here for them every step of the way. It helps to know we are all in this ‘new normal’ together.

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