We know that the recent government announcement was disheartening, and not the way we were hoping for 2021 to start. As we begin a new academic term remotely, we just wanted to extend our support to all students as your students' union and remind you of all of the key information and support systems that are here to help you thrive during this difficult time.
Academic experience during online learning
If you feel that your academic experience is suffering due to lockdown or online learning, please contact studentofficers@kclsu.org. We are working on a range of mitigations to ensure students are taken care of in this difficult time, some of which you can read below. We are also working on other issues, including lobbying telecommunications companies for free data and unlimited broadband provision recently committed to schools to be extended to university students.
Your academic reps are in place to help you and they should be your first point of contact when raising concerns with your department. All academic reps should have been added to a Microsoft Teams channel so they can raise any faculty level concerns with student officers. Please contact president@kclsu.org if you are an academic rep that has not been added but would like to be involved.
Safety Net
Over the past week, we have heard countless times that students want the university to commit to a Safety Net policy. Yesterday, our Officer team spoke with central King's figures from the Students & Education Directorate who informed us that they intend to finalise a ‘No Detriment’ Policy over the next week.
Aligned with this statement from the Russell Group, they will not be considering the algorithmic academic protections that were included in the 2019-20 policy. We can confirm in this message that our KCLSU Education Officers will be leading a campaign within the university and nationally alongside other SUs to reinstate an appropriate and comprehensive Safety Net for as many students as possible this academic year.
Please look out for the launch of the campaign through upcoming Officers’ Updates and News Articles published on our website. If you are keen to put your voice behind this campaign and be involved in focus group sessions at least at the outset, please email Aless, your VP Education (Health) at aless.gibson@kclsu.org.
How our Advice team can support you
Our Advice team provides free, confidential, and impartial academic advice to students with issues affecting your studies. They are here to help you in a way that is non-judgemental, straightforward, and empowering.
You can find out more, and contact the KCLSU Advice team, by visiting our Advice webpage here.
Take Time In, Wellbeing Hub, and free resources
From the 11th to the 15th of January, our bi-annual Wellbeing project Take Time In will operate remotely to support you in taking some time for your wellbeing during exam and assessment season.
You can access all events, resources, information, and links by visiting the Wellbeing Hub on our website here. The Wellbeing Hub and its resources are available all year round too, so make sure to check it out even outside of Take Time In if you need ideas, support, or resources.
King's Student Services and Financial Support
King's Student Services offer a range of practical and professional advice and guidance to support you before, during, and after your time at King’s. They can support you with issues regarding your course, mental health and counseling, accommodation, fees and funding, and more.
To find out more or contact them, visit the Student Services Online Hub here.
If you are specifically looking for financial support, have a look at the King's website for more information on the Covid Hardship Fund, King's Student Fund, King's Hardship Fund or read more about the options for flexibility on tuition fee payments as a result of Covid.
KCLSU Study Spaces on Campus
Our study spaces are staying open throughout the lockdown across Bush House, Waterloo, Guy's, and Denmark Hill. You can find out more about opening times and information here.
King's Residences and Rent Rebates
Our officers have worked extremely hard with the college to ensure students' needs and worries in regards to rent and accommodation were addressed as quickly as possible. We will be hosting a live Q&A session on Thursday 14th from 1-2 pm with our officers and members of King's Senior Leadership Team to answer your questions in regards to rent and residences. Find out more here.
You should have received an email from King's Residences detailing information about deferring or canceling your contract. That email has key information on how to defer or cancel your contract, which you must do by the 17th of January 2021.
If you are staying in King's Residences, you have the option to defer or cancel your contract. If you are already staying in a King’s Residence, you can continue to stay and will of course continue to receive support. If you have not yet arrived, you have the option to defer your arrival date. If you are still planning to arrive in January, please be assured that there will be support in place for you. If you must self-isolate upon your arrival, please do let the reception team know so that they can provide the necessary support.
If a rent rebate is due to you, this will be reflected on your next invoice. Please contact kingsresidences@kcl.ac.uk for more details.
If you have any questions about any of the things mentioned in this email or any other query, please get in touch with your KCLSU Student Officers at studentofficers@kclsu.org.