As students return to Oxford, universities have measures in place to manage the Covid risk. Professor Anne-Marie Kilday, Pro Vice-Chancellor Student and Staff Experience at Oxford Brookes University, and Professor Martin Williams, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) at the University of Oxford, write about the return of students to our city

LIKE other local residents, staff and students at the city’s universities are looking forward to a returning sense of normality as we begin the new academic year.

Seeing students cycling to their next tutorial, reading in the local parks or taking a break in a city coffee house is a natural part of Oxford life.

Our students are keen to once again enjoy these aspects of university life in our fantastic city, and we are certainly excited to welcome them back.

As you can imagine, both universities have been planning in detail for the beginning of the new academic year, and we are taking steps to ensure that the Covid risk is managed, and minimised.

No-one wants a return to the stringent restrictions that were in place this time last year, so it’s in everyone’s interest that we have measures in place to protect our local community, students and staff.

Many of our students are now vaccinated, and both universities have pop-up vaccination centres on site for those who were unable to get fully vaccinated before coming to university.

We’re also encouraging our students to get tested before they arrive in Oxford, and to keep testing at home twice a week throughout the term.

At each university site we have PCR testing available for those with symptoms of Covid-19.

Staff and students are being given comprehensive guidance on the use of face coverings, testing and self-isolation.

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Many smaller teaching sessions at both universities will now go ahead in person, with appropriate safety measures, while larger lectures will remain online.

Although there are no restrictions now on socialising, group sizes or outdoor gatherings, we’ll continue to remind our students to behave responsibly and be considerate to others – and we have robust procedures in place to address any incidents that fall short of the standards we expect.

There’s no denying that it has not been an easy time for young people and indeed everyone across the country.

We continue to give all of our students access to extra welfare support and advice – making their mental health a priority and helping them through any challenging periods.

But we’re proud that despite all the difficulties they faced, many of our students have volunteered throughout the pandemic in the city, contributing to efforts to support the community.

This is Oxfordshire: Lauren Mulvey, 28, holding a testing swab from a lateral flow kit (PA).

We can’t wait to see them continue with this positive and valued work as they return, bringing benefits to people across the city and beyond.

As our academic years begin, we will be keeping a close eye on the Covid situation in Oxford and are poised to respond quickly with additional measures if anything changes.

We’ll continue to work closely with the councils, health services and other local partners.

Both universities take their relationship with local communities very seriously - we remain vigilant, but hopeful that at last we can all collectively return to a sense of normality in our wonderful city.