Email to students from Dr Derek O'Byrne (Registrar) on Monday, 30 March 2020
 

Dear Student

The Academic Council has announced today that as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic all semester 2 examinations scheduled for May are to be replaced by alternative assessment.

Programme teams are now developing alternative plans for assessment and will provide you with details of the alternative assessment arrangements for your programme on Friday 3rd April, including the dates on which the actual assessments will be given to you.

The submission dates for the revised assessment will be set by the lecturers for each module and can be expected within the period from 8th to 18th May.

Students should continue to engage with Moodle for their programme updates and for information.

The Academic Council recognise the difficult circumstances surrounding delivery and assessment in these unprecedented times and realise the extent of disruption that these necessary changes are causing to both staff and students but believe they are in the best interests of maintaining students’ academic progress and career aspirations.

We continue to advise students to adhere to published health advice, to practice social distancing and, above all, to stay safe.

Dr Derek O’Byrne
Vice President for Academic Affairs & Registrar

Email to students from Dr Derek O'Byrne (Registrar) and Mr John Fortune (WITSU President) on Thursday, 26 March 2020

Dear student

We understand that this is an uncertain time for you as it is for us all and we are writing to you today to reassure you that staff at the institute and the Students’ Union are working tirelessly to ensure that you are facilitated in your learning and assessment during this time of national and international crisis.

Our priority remains the health and welfare of all our students, and the wider community, while ensuring learners are supported in completing studies in a timely and appropriate manner. This is a complex challenge when traditional modes of delivery and assessment are no longer possible, certainly in the short term.

Over the last weeks we have shifted our delivery online (through moodle) and are communicating with students through the official WIT email accounts. We would remind all students to regularly check their WIT email and moodle and to engage with this new delivery mode. We recognise the additional pressure this has created for both staff and students and the speed by which we have had to transfer from traditional to online delivery across so many of our activities. We thank you for your understanding and your resolution in that regard. Together we can draw this difficult period to a conclusion.

It is the intention that the academic semester’s teaching will be finished out through online delivery and it is our expectation, at this point, that we will complete the academic year as scheduled albeit in a different manner. We would ask you to concentrate on the completion of the course work as prescribed by your lecturer at this point and you can expect that you will be facilitated in completing your year of study including appropriate assessments.

We are sure that you are particularly concerned about exams and how you will be assessed. The Institute’s Academic Council in an effort to complete the academic year and support the career and progression needs of students, established a committee that has been monitoring the situation, particularly regarding the holding of examinations in May. The committee will be reporting to the Academic Council this Friday and we expect to advise all students about the outcome of that Academic Council meeting early next week. While we would like to be able to give you a definitive plan of exams today, the institute needs a little time to ensure that we have a robust plan in place for you and we would again thank you for your patience while we work through this.

The Institute is committed to the academic integrity of our awards and to the maintenance of our standards. Graduates of 2020 can expect that their awards will continue to be recognised for the high standards that characterise the reputation of WIT.

Dr Derek O’Byrne
Vice President for Academic Affairs and Registrar

John Fortune
President WITSU

The institute is committed to supporting students in their learning during this exceptional period and to that end, the Institute’s Academic Council has deliberated on this matter and has agreed the following contingency plan:

• Modules will continue to be delivered via Moodle with lecture notes available for each one.

• Students should regularly check Moodle for updates from lecturers.

• Students should communicate directly with their lecturers if they have any academic questions or require academic support. The programme team, including the Head of Department and Head of School, are here to support you in continuing with your studies. It is important that you engage and embrace these supports. All contact information is available in the relevant Schools section of our website.

• Students should communicate with their programme team and lecturers through email when necessary. Please remember that the institute is communicating using the offical WIT student email and not through personal email addresses.

• The Academic Council is currently working on a plan for semester 2 assessment and will give a robust plan to students early next week (w/c 30 March)

• Students are advised to exercise social distance in their ongoing daily routines in order to minimise the spread of the coronavirus in line with An Taoiseach’s direction.

The Institute will continue to monitor this unfolding situation and keep you informed of developments and updates as they happen.  Please check the website regularly for updates and advice.

The institute has provided mechanisms to allow students to study remotely. There may be legitimate reasons you are unable to do so. If that's the case, you should complete a mitigating circumstances form which is available on our website.

The Academic Council has announced today that as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic all semester 2 examinations scheduled for May are to be replaced by alternative assessment.

Programme teams are now developing alternative plans for assessment and will provide students with details of the alternative assessment arrangements for each programme on Friday 3rd April, including the dates on which the actual assessments will be provided.

The submission dates for the revised assessment will be set by the lecturers for each module and can be expected within the period from 8th to 18th May.

Students should continue to engage with Moodle for their programme updates and for information.

The Academic Council recognise the difficult circumstances surrounding delivery and assessment in these unprecedented times and realise the extent of disruption that these necessary changes are causing to both staff and students but believe they are in the best interests of maintaining students’ academic progress and career aspirations.

SOLAS Apprenticeship Examinations for Term 2 have been deferred to a later date, yet to be agreed. 

Where a work placement activity has not been possible, the student should contact the programme leader for advice on the next steps required.

All students are strongly encouraged not to come to campus and to continue your studies remotely. Please ensure to stay in contact with your supervisor who will be available to provide ongoing support remotely during this time period. Should you need to come on campus for any reason, please contact your supervisor to make arrangements as they will need to make sure a safe space is available for you and buildings may need to be opened.

The Student support service team is currently working remotely. You can send your query to [email protected] and a member of staff will get back to you. You can also reach us by mobile on 087-6211255 or 087-1128224

Staff are currently working remotely. You can send your query to [email protected] and a member of staff will get back to you.

All learning support tutors are working remotely. You can email your  tutor directly for support. If you do not know your tutors email address contact [email protected].

If you are worried about your exam accommodations, email [email protected] and your course leader with your concern.

All staff are working remotely. You can contact your support worker by email or text. 

The Institute’s student counselling services continues to operate to existing clients.  Clients of the service who wish to contact the service may do so by emailing [email protected] or by phoning 051 302878/302475.

Due to the current extraordinary circumstances face to face appointments cannot be offered during this time.

Other useful services                                                   

How do I apply to the Student Assistance Fund?

If you are eligible for the SAF you can apply through the online application form which is available on the WIT website.

How do I know if I am eligible to apply for the Student Assistance Fund?

There is an Eligibility Reckoner on the WIT website which will help you determine if you are eligible for the fund. There is also a list of expenses for which the SAF can be and cannot be used for.

Is there a closing date for the Student Assistance Fund?

There is no closing date for the SAF but as the fund operates on a 'first come, first served basis', it is best to get an application with all the relevant documentation in as early as possible.

If I am having trouble with a certain part of the application or have a question, who can I contact to ask for help?

Please email [email protected] This email account is being regularly monitored and we will reply to your query as soon as possible. Alternatively, you can look up our detailed FAQ section in the website where you might find the answer to your question.

How will I know when there is no more funding left in the SAF?

The online application will close and you will not be able to apply. However, if you are experiencing financial hardship, please make contact with the Student Life and Learning Department via email ([email protected] or [email protected]) and we will try our best to refer you to any relevant resources.

More information: SAF webpage