Our support for those affected by global crises

We know that global events can have a personal impact on our students and our staff. We are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, welcoming and safe environment for all – whoever you are and whatever your background – and at times of conflict, it’s even more important that we pull together as a community.

On this page, you’ll find information about the University’s response to crises and conflicts, as well as advice and support for impacted staff and students.

Our public response to global crises
Support for students
Support for staff
Keeping our community safe
Support for the global academic community

Our public response to global crises

Conflicts and humanitarian crises are a tragic aspect of our current global landscape. They may happen suddenly as a result of conflict or natural disaster and can also persist over long periods of time. Whatever the cause, it’s not possible, or appropriate, for us to comment on every issue or crisis when we are approached to do so.

As an institution we value respect, equality and inclusivity, and in every situation our priority is the wellbeing and safety of our students, staff and wider community.

Support for Students

Wellbeing and mental health support
We have many support services and self-help resources for anyone struggling in any way, so please reach out if you or someone you know needs help. They include:
- Counselling appointments: Available via Student Wellbeing - please contact studentwellbeing@herts.ac.uk, 01707 284453 (ext. 4453)
- Support workshops: We run a wide range of workshops including support with managing anxiety and panic, coping strategies, confidence building and emotional resilience. Book a place by using our online booking form.
- 24/7 wellbeing helpline: You can contact our free 24/7 confidential wellbeing helpline with Health Assured by calling 0800 028 3766.
- In-person support: We have many specialist advisors on hand to provide guidance and support.
  You can:
  - Speak to a member of our Chaplaincy team
  - Talk to the Students’ Union’s Academic and Welfare Advisers
  - Seek advice from the Dean of Students’ Safeguarding team
  - If you’re living on campus you can call 01707 281010 to speak to a Residential Assistant (RA) or contact the Residence Life and Safeguarding Team.
  - If you live off campus you can contact the Community and Safeguarding Team
Immigration advice
The Student Immigration Team (Advice) support overseas students during their stay in the UK, including advice regarding immigration, money issues, employment, and personal matters. Read more about the team and contact an adviser.
Impact on your studies
If you are in an affected region and you are unable to access online teaching or resources, you should speak to your department about how they might be able to support your learning.
If conflict has disrupted your studies or if you believe it will impact your ability to complete your exams or assessments, please contact your module leader/personal tutor to discuss your circumstances and decide if an exceptional circumstances request is needed or whether a coursework extension is a feasible alternative.
If you are a postgraduate research student and are concerned about the impact on your research, the Doctoral College community on HertsHub can help - for example, your supervision team, Research Tutor, Director of the Doctoral College, and the Associate Directors, as well as the Doctoral College central team.
We aim to ensure that our students have a good education and social experience, however in the event something goes wrong there is a two stage complaints process in place. We aim to resolve concerns raised informally wherever possible, and so it’s important that full details of any issues are reported as quickly as possible. If a concern relates to academic studies, you should speak to your Personal Tutor or Programme Leader in the first instance.
For further guidance relating to the University’s complaint process (including details of the Bullying and Harassment policy), please visit Ask Herts, and for impartial advice and support, please visit the Students’ Union Advice and Support Centre.
Displaced / Refugee Learners
We understand that the application process and settling in at university can be particularly challenging for Displaced / Refugee Learners, and our Student Success team provide personalised support to make your time at university as stress free and successful as possible.
University accomodation
University accommodation is available now and during the vacation periods if you need it. For more information, visit our accommodation page.
Financial support
If you are a home student, contact the Student Funding and Financial Support team for further information. You can also attend one of the team's drop-in sessions, either in person or and via Microsoft Teams. Alternatively, if you're an international student contact the Student Immigration Team (Advice) for support.
All students both home and overseas can apply for the Short-Term Assistance Grant (STAG). STAG offers discretionary short-term financial assistance for all students struggling with the rising cost of living. Successful applicants will receive a non-repayable financial award of £250.

Support for staff

If you are a staff member in need of support, please speak to your line manager as soon as possible.

Alternatively, you can request support via the Speak Out online reporting form (wherever possible, please do provide contact details so that we can assist you promptly).

If you would like to talk to an independent, trained counsellor about how you are feeling, you can make contact with our Employee Assistance Programme, provided by HealthHero. The service is free for all staff and available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Support is also available from our Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Office and our University Chaplaincy. You can also speak to one of our Dignity and Respect Advisors, or access peer support via our Staff Networks.

Full details about the services and resources available can be found on HertsHub.

Keeping our community safe

We know that global events can bring differences of opinion, and we’re fully committed to providing an inclusive environment for all of our staff and students. This includes support for different and diverse views within the law.

We want Herts to be a place where difficult yet lawful conversations can happen; where, with our support, discussions on controversial topics can take place in a safe space and with the appropriate regard to human rights, equality, freedom-of-speech and education.

We also know that at times of global crisis our community may wish to hold vigils or protests expressing solidarity, where supporters voice their opinions, and express their strength of feelings. We’re committed to supporting free speech, and the right of our community to hold and attend vigils and protests, within the law.

However, we take a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination, harassment and bullying, and all students, staff, partners, and visitors should expect to be treated - and to treat each other - with dignity and respect. Equality and Diversity | About us | Uni of Herts.

The University has four Third-Party Hate Crime reporting centres, who can help you to report any incidents, provide confidential advice and support and can be a contact for those who do not wish to report directly to the police. You can remain anonymous if you wish, and you do not need to have contact with the police if you do not want to. The four centres work in partnership with the Hertfordshire Constabulary Hate Crime Officers to provide a coordinated response.

The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Office - email: edi@herts.ac.uk
Herts SU Advice and Support Centre - email: advice@hertssu.com
The Dean of Students Office - email: deanofstudents@herts.ac.uk
The Security Team - email: security@herts.ac.uk

If you or someone you know has experienced or witnessed any form of bullying, harassment, discrimination, gender-based violence, hate or micro-aggressions, or have a safeguarding concern, you can report it anonymously or get support from a trained advisor through our online tool Report + Support. Report + Support is open to all members of our community whether they are the recipient of or witness to any incident.

It is also vital that students and staff understand and respect that we are also all bound by UK laws relating to terror offences. Signalling support to any terrorist group or organisation including moral support or expressing an opinion or belief that is supportive, is a criminal offence.

Flags on campus

We recognise that flags are symbols that can boost local and national identities and strengthen community cohesion. Like all symbols, flags can have different interpretations and have the potential to cause unrest between different groups.

The University has two official flagpoles on our College Lane Campus. With the exception of the Union Flag on the main flagpole at College Lane, the raising of any other flags (and lighting up of buildings) takes place on designated days, or those commemorating a specific community-wide event agreed annually in advance by the University’s senior leadership team.

The agreed current days and events include:

1 to 28/29 February: LGBT+ History Month
23 April: St George’s Day
15 to 21 May: Mental Health Awareness Week
1 to 30 June: Pride
7 June: #Red4Research Day
17 June: Official celebration of His Majesty’s birthday
Last Saturday in June: Armed Forces Day
1 to 31 October: Black History Month
Second Sunday in November: Remembrance Day
13 to 19 November: Trans Awareness Week
16 November to 16 December: Disability History Month

Please note, no additional in-year requests will be considered.

Travel guidance

The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) provides guidance on travel. Other nationalities should check their own government’s advice before considering any travel. We also advise you to speak to your line manager, supervisor, Programme Leader or Personal Tutor and complete a risk assessment before travelling.

Concerns for Friends and Family

If you are worried about family and friends in an affected region you can contact the relevant British Embassy or the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office for more information and updates.

Support for the global academic community

The University is a keen supporter of the Council for At-Risk Academics (CARA), which provides urgently needed help to academics in immediate danger, those forced into exile and many who choose to work on in their home countries despite serious risks.

Alongside providing financial support, Herts is a member of CARA’s UK Universities and Research Network which aims to brings together UK higher education and research institutions ‘in support of persecuted and at-risk academics, and in the defence and promotion of academic and university freedoms worldwide’.

The University recently renewed its commitment to CARA Fellowships for at-risk academics, and welcomes applications from academics at risk.