UoB Student Update, Wednesday 19 August 2020

As we start to move towards Welcome Week we wanted to share some useful information on getting back to Birmingham and getting started, especially your essential online registration. We’ve also got some updates on sport, your campus coffee fix, and we shine a light on a great student initiative for a community foodbank during the Covid crisis. We hope you find this useful and as always if you have any other questions, or suggestions for future issues, please email: studentcommunications@contacts.bham.ac.uk.  

Complete your Online Registration

You will have received an email from the University asking you to complete Online Registration for the next academic year. It is really important that you complete this process as soon as you receive the email so that you are fully registered before the start of the semester. 

Please ensure that all of the information we hold on your record is still up to date, including your address, contact and emergency contact details. If you run into any problems, visit the Online Registration pages

Moving back to Birmingham

With many of you having already moved, or soon to move, into privately rented accommodation before the start of the semester we thought some top tips might be useful. The Community Living Team have provided some guidance and top tips on moving into your new home and staying safe and protected. eam have provided some guidance on moving into your new home and staying safe and protected. 

Travelling back to the UK

Just in case you missed last week’s update, when we shared key information for international students on arriving back to UoB, you can view it on the Return to Birmingham page. 

Catering update

As we work towards reopening catering outlets across campus we wanted to update you on some changes in this area. Most of your favourite places to get a coffee and a bite to eat on campus will be open again in September.  There will be some changes to the menus with more takeaway items and we are hoping to use as many compostable materials for napkins, cutlery and packaging as possible. All outlets will require face coverings to be worn and we will be cashless – so don’t forget your card if you are hungry! We will ask you to scan-in to a few more places, in line with Government advice, and we should all be getting used to that now!

Sports update

The gym, pool and squash courts have now reopened and classes and badminton will be resuming from this week.

Gym membership for Tiverton Gym (in Selly Oak) will be available to purchase from Tuesday 1 September and memberships for Sport & Fitness (on campus) will be available from Monday 14 September. You can find all of the new membership options and prices online on the UB Sport website.

If you already have a membership which has been rolled forward from the last academic year, you should have received an email with your membership re-start date, which is Monday 21 September, and your new end date. As with any membership, you will need to book your session (for the gym, pool, squash or classes) beforehand. 

On film: Sports & Fitness tour

 

This video will give you an idea of what to expect when you return, as things may be a little different from when you left. Find out how to use the service and move around the building safely.

 Watch the video 

Help us to welcome new students to campus

Would you like to showcase your talents and perform live at one of our campus locations and help welcome our new and returning students? Currently we are seeking expressions of interest to perform from 19-28 September. We're looking for any musical, dance and vocal groups that are available to perform physically, or virtually if required. Also if there are any other societies interested in having a presence during Welcome activity, we'd love to hear from you. You will be supported to perform in line with Covid safe guidelines.

Get in touch by emailing welcomeplanning@contacts.bham.ac.uk. 

Students help create community foodbank

A group of students, including MA Film student Ben Crawford, have worked with their local community to set up a grassroots foodbank in one of their houses, distributing donations from students moving away. Since then the operation has grown rapidly, moving to larger premises with network of volunteers - all to be able to send parcels to hundreds of people in need. Find out more about the project.

Colleges

Professional Services