Play your part: What to expect from Herts and what we need you to do

Dear Students,

To those of you new to the University of Hertfordshire, and those who are returning, we want to extend a very warm welcome at the beginning of this new academic year. These are challenging times to be a student, and we will be doing everything we can to provide you with a fulfilling and rewarding experience at the University.

The University of Hertfordshire is a close, supportive, community, and as members of that community we each have a duty to care towards, and need to look out, for each other.

COVID-19 has created unique challenges, and the University and Students Union have worked closely together to put in place measures to ensure your health and well-being. But we are also individually responsible for this. The Student Charter emphasises this and to protect everyone, we are expecting every student to commit to the ‘campus community pledge’ and responsibilities outlined in the charter. Read the Student Charter.

Being a student involves learning, of course, and we have organised on-campus teaching spaces so that they comply with Government guidance. But being a student also offers many other opportunities – for sports, for involvement in student societies, and for socialising.

It is vital that in all these activities you follow the rules that have been put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 – including, importantly, only socialising in groups of no more than six people.

Whether you are living in on-campus accommodation, or commuting to Herts, it is critical that you protect yourselves, fellow students, staff, and family members from infection and the risk of illness.

We know that you will want to ensure that our community thrives and is a secure environment in which to be together, to learn, and to have fun. However, it is important for you to be aware that where it is clear that social distancing rules have been blatantly breached, we will take appropriate action to keep us all safe. If you witness any behaviour with which you are uncomfortable, find out how you can speak out, using our anonymous Report and Support service.

We wish you every success in your studies this year.

If you have any questions about starting with us this year, get in touch with our teams ask@herts.ac.uk.

Professor Quintin Mckellar
Vice-Chancellor

Karthik Kumar Bonkur
President, Hertfordshire Students' Union