The Brum Bulletin - Your student newsletter

We hope your assessments are going well and, as we near the end of the semester, you may be starting to think about how next year will look. The latest update is that we’re hoping to offer a full campus-based and in-person teaching experience from September that provides full access to teaching and learning facilities. In addition, we recognise that many of you have found enhanced digital material helpful in supporting your learning, so we will be continuing to offer this to supplement and enhance your teaching experience whilst you’re on campus. We can also use online learning as a back-up option for any students that are unable to access campus due, for example, to travel restrictions. Next week we’ll be providing more information on this and further detail for international students.

 

Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

The Commonwealth Games will be taking place next year (28 July – 8 August) and will be hosted in Birmingham and the surrounding West Midlands. The Games is a large international sporting event with more than 50 countries taking part and featuring more than 20 different sports. The University are hosting the hockey and squash competitions, with other sports at the Games including diving, gymnastics, judo, rugby, badminton to name a few. 

Birmingham 2022 will recruit and train more than 13,000 volunteers, including first responders, to support the delivery and running of the Commonwealth Games and we want to encourage you to take one of these places. 

Find out more about volunteering roles

Volunteer at the 2022 Commonwealth Games

With the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth around the corner, find out more about the volunteering opportunities for students. 

Watch now

Now we’re all back on campus it’s really important you get tested twice a week for Covid-19, to protect yourself and others. You never know if your housemate or course mate is more vulnerable or trying to shield, so let’s continue to get tested together. To do this you can collect a home testing kit from locations across campus including accommodation sites.  You don’t need to book but please have your student ID with you. Self-testing kits contain seven tests (enough for almost a month) with results showing within 30 minutes.  

Read more including a list of collection sites

UB Heard

This confidential service offers immediate in-the-moment telephone support, and a series of counselling sessions. The service is for all students and is available 24/7, 365 days a year. You can speak to a mental health professional about any issues you may be facing.

Find out more

UoB Games @ Spring into Summer

As part of Spring into Summer, UoB Sport & Fitness will be hosting two weeks of free sport on campus, open to everyone! Taking place from 7 to 20 June you can now register your space at one of the many social, coached or competitive events.

Register today

Student Spotlight: Medical students on placement 

Meet the Medical School who recently undertook placements in Sandwell primary schools to better understand the impact of diversity and deprivation on children’s health and education and to boost the health and aspirations of children from the borough.

Read more

Academic integrity in your assessments

During this assessment period it’s important that you make yourself aware of the concept of academic integrity (which includes undertaking assessments honestly, in a responsible manner and respecting others’ ideas) and familiarise yourself with the online assessment rules and guidance.

Read more

Spring into Summer @UoB

Coming up over the next couple of weeks you can enjoy Les Miserables, Frozen 2, The Incredibles, and Beauty and the Beast in the Green Heart. Other activities include a resilience workshop and enjoy the usual tasty food stalls and outdoor games. 

Spring into Summer @UoB

Student Social: Inspirational student research

Meet Molly Schiller, the Biochemistry student who recently submitted her masters dissertation on the genetic cause hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the heart condition her brother sadly passed away from at 10 years old.

Molly's inspiring story

Intranet top tip: Keeping Covid safe

When on campus and in accommodation it's important to stay up to date with the latest Government guidelines and Covid safe information. The intranet features all the latest information, including the new home testing kit collection on campus.

Keeping Covid safe

Dates for your diary 

Housemate finder
Thursday 27 May, 15:00-16:00

Housemate finder is a relaxed and friendly way to meet like-minded people, also looking to meet others to live with next academic year. Each Housemate finder event will be facilitated to help you easily get to know others. Book here.

Crafted in time: textile workshop
Thursday 27 May, 18:30-19:30

Join textile artist Louise Goult for a relaxing virtual textile workshop inspired by the Lapworth Museum’s collection. The workshop will focus on using paper combined with embroidery to respond creatively to an object from the Museum collection. Book here. 

From Campus to Career
Wednesday 23 June 2021, 10.00-16:00

Getting ready to graduate this year? Join us for our one-day virtual event which will provide you with the tools, tips and tricks you need to get your career off on the right foot. Hear from alumni, current students, employers and career experts and get key insights. Book here. 

Spring into Summer @UoB
Monday to Friday, until end of June

Enjoy a range of outdoor activities on campus and online including arts and crafts, yoga, outdoor games and food stalls. Book onto an activity here.

PG corner

PG Corner @ Spring into Summer

Our Westmere Scholars are joining PG Corner @ Spring into Summer from this week - come along to meet current PGRs from all Colleges. Learn more about applying for postgraduate courses, about postgraduate life at UoB, or just come along for a friendly chat! More info and sign-ups.

Work opportunities for PG students

The UoB Women’s Network @UoBWomensNet are seeking PGRs interested in working with them, especially around comms or social media. A good opportunity to gain experience of HE policy, equality and diversity, and communications. If you are interested or would like to know more, please email womens-network@contacts.bham.ac.uk.

Win a UoB t-shirt!

What colour UoB t-shirt you would like to see in the Online Shop? Please send your suggestions to printme@contacts.bham.ac.uk with TEE COMP in the subject line and a winner will be chosen at random. Closes 2 June. 

Enter the prize draw

What's on in Brum: Ikon Gallery 

With museums and art gallaeries opening back up, why not check out the Ikon Gallery showcasing the best of Brum. 

Explore Birmingham

And finally...

  • We’re simplifying the way you connect to the campus Wi-Fi by streamlining our wireless networks. From Thursday 1 July you’ll no longer be able to connect to the campus Wi-Fi using UoBWiFi as we are retiring this network. All staff and students at the University will need to use eduroam to connect to the campus Wi-Fi. More information
     
  • Are you a final year student with library books on loan to you? Please remember to return items after your final exam. This year there are no fines on items, and Library Services have arranged free postage for those who are off campus or do not wish to travel, via Royal Mails tracked return service.
     
  • Junkbusters is back! The Community Wardens will be out in Selly Oak 1-3pm every Friday in June and on move-out day (Wednesday 30th June) to collect donations for Junkbusters, who donate unwanted items to charity. 
     
  • Indoor classes at the Gym are back. You can now book onto an indoor class at UB Sport and Fitness or the Tiverton Gym. Find out more and book onto a class.  Badminton and outdoor tennis is also now available for members and non-members to book with Pay & Go. Find out more about Pay & Go.  
     
  • Voi e-scooters and bicycles are now available to hire. This week we welcome the Voi rental e-scooters and the West Midlands Cycle Hire bikes on campus. You can find out more about the schemes here.
     
  • Tell us about your programme experience. As we near the end of semester 2, you will soon have another opportunity to share your views on the learning and teaching on your programme. The Student Evaluation of Learning and Teaching (SELT) survey will be open from 7 June - 2 July, via Canvas and the MyUoB mobile app. 
     
  • To help with overcrowding at weekends, those wishing to study in the Murray Learning Centre on Saturdays and Sundays until the end of semester will need to make a booking

Colleges

Professional Services