Wednesday 07-10-2020 - 15:43

Since we have entered another lockdown, your SU services have now altered. Please check the latest update here.

Your SU is ready to help you start a new year at Durham. It’s not the year any of us had in mind, but it’s a year in which we’ll continue to bring students together and stand up for your rights.

So, what can you expect from your SU?

First, let’s take a trip to the building

Dunelm House will be open from 09:00-22:00.

When might I use the building?

• To access the lecture theatre
• To visit our bars and cafés (more info below)

Sadly, until at least 12 October, no other events will be held in the building. This is in line with Durham University’s approach to the local lockdown.

The study furniture will also be unavailable, as it doesn’t allow for suitable social-distancing.

There won’t be anyone working at the reception desk, but that doesn’t mean we don’t want to hear from you! Have a look below for the various ways you can reach us.

How are you keeping the building safe?

The building will be open in line with Durham University’s approach to opening campus.

This means you should:

• Follow the one-way system
• Keep two metres apart
• Wear a face covering, unless you have an exemption
• Check narrow corridors for other visitors before entering
• Check a room’s capacity (visible on posters outside the room) before entering

The building is also on an enhanced cleaning regime and will have plenty of hand sanitiser stations for you to keep your hands clean.

How do I do track and trace?

You can use the NHS Covid-19 app in Dunelm House, where there are QR codes available for you to scan.

Riverside and Kingsgate Bar and Cafés are open!

We’re excited to once again open our two food and drink outlets, giving you somewhere to grab a takeaway coffee before a lecture or meet with your household for a drink, a bite to eat and live sport on the big screen.

You can be assured that in both venues we’ll be following government and university guidelines, so that your experience will be as safe and enjoyable as possible.

What’s open and when?

• Kingsgate Bar and Café is open Monday-Friday 09:00-17:00 for takeaway.
• Riverside Bar and Café is open Monday-Friday 17:00-22:00 and 12:00-22:00 on weekends. You’ll need to book your table in advance on the Riverside web page here.

The Advice Service is here for you

The Advice Service is fully online and is here for all your Covid-19 enquiries or any other concerns, from housing to academic issues.

You can contact the Advice Service via one of the following methods, or browse the online resources available here.

Email: dsu.advice2@durham.ac.uk

Online form: click here

If your enquiry would be best helped through an appointment with an adviser, you’ll be offered a call over the phone or via Skype.

Your student groups are here to stay

We understand that your student group communities are more important than ever, and we’re so proud of the ways they have already adapted to a challenging situation.

Many of the SU’s student groups are continuing to offer events and activities online. Try following your favourite groups on social media, or check you’re signed up to their mailing lists to stay in the loop.

Unfortunately, for the time being student groups won’t be able to hold events in person. This is due to the local lockdown restrictions. We will, of course, adapt our advice for groups as soon as anything changes. You can read more about the guidelines for groups here.

If you have an enquiry regarding your student group, please contact dsu.engagement@durham.ac.uk as usual.

How can you find out more about different groups?

If you’re new to Durham, or looking to try something new, then check out the Online Freshers’ Fair to learn more about the groups you can join. The live dates are now over, but the fair is still available for you to find information about over 400 different groups here.

And if you’re still unsure what to join, you can try something new for free in our online Give It A Go Week. Check out the events here.

Your Student Officers are standing up for your rights

Your five Student Officers are all contactable via email or their Officer social media accounts.

They’re working hard in University meetings and committees, and lobbying in the community to make sure that the changes to your education and wider student experience are made with students’ interests at the centre. These changes often happen quickly, the University decision-making discussions are happening thick and fast – so the Officers may struggle to respond to your emails straight away.

But your stories, problems and experiences are the examples and narratives that they use to lobby for your rights so please don’t stop reaching out – if you need a response, please also contact a staff member or the Advice Service, depending on your query.

Keeping in touch

Though we’re not available in person, staff are happy to help you digitally. You can find our email addresses on the meet the team page here. Please do not try to contact staff via their phone numbers, as these are not currently available.

Similarly, the reception email address (dsu.reception@durham.ac.uk) is available for general enquiries, but not the phone number.

You can also contact Durham SU’s social media accounts as usual.

Please note: with many staff members working different hours, some teams working at a reduced capacity, and some staff members receiving an increased number of Covid-19 related enquiries, it may take a little longer than usual for us to respond. Please be assured that we are still here for you and will get back to you as soon as possible.

Printing and binding

Unfortunately, we are unable to currently offer a printing and binding service.

 

Information accurate on 07/10/20 and may change at short notice due to government guidance.