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<p>Dear Paul</p>
<p>Unfortunately I can't make it to the meeting tomorrow. I would
have liked to hear in what manner the University believes the
Covid situation has improved in the last two weeks? To my mind the
numbers all appear to be going in the wrong direction. With
Northern Ireland and now Wales both moving to temporary lockdown,
it certainly seems like the situation is generally worsening
rather than improving.</p>
<p>At the last Dept Cttee the issue of contingency plans for dealing
with staff becoming ill with Covid, potentially as a result of
being required to come back in to do F2F teaching was raised. Is
there any guidance on who picks up the pieces if teaching staff
are incapacitated? Of course the bigger issue is dealing with the
consequences of a colleague becoming seriously ill or potentially
dying as a result of returning to F2F teaching. Can anyone really
believe that 'blended learning' is worth dying for?</p>
<p>In terms of health and safety considerations - the hierarchy of
control measures asks first - is it necessary to perform the
activity? The answer here is clearly no. We can deliver an
acceptable level of teaching remotely without incurring the risks
associated with F2F. F2F teaching is an unnecessary hazard that
can be eliminated without compromising our ability to provide a
suitable education to our students in this time of crisis.<br>
</p>
<p><img alt="Hierarchy of hazard controls - Wikipedia" class="n3VNCb" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/36/NIOSH%E2%80%99s_%E2%80%9CHierarchy_of_Controls_infographic%E2%80%9D_as_SVG.svg/1200px-NIOSH%E2%80%99s_%E2%80%9CHierarchy_of_Controls_infographic%E2%80%9D_as_SVG.svg.png" data-noaft="1" style="width: 585px; height: 376.35px; margin:
0px;"></p>
<p>At this point in time, I remain opposed to resuming F2F teaching,
notwithstanding any additional information or reassurance that the
University might be able to offer tomorrow. At the last Dept Cttee
meeting (only 2 weeks ago) the view of the Department was
resolutely in favour of continuing with online teaching. I believe
that this message needs to be reiterated in the strongest possible
terms to senior management. You may confidently include me as one
of those not willing to return to F2F teaching next week, and nor
would I be willing to put forward my colleagues.<br>
</p>
<p>From the perspective of running the 3rd year lab - we have been
able to deliver a good quality first online experiment experience
for both classes. We are preparing to roll out further experiments
for PH380 next week. Whilst I would dearly love to be in a
position to return to working face to face in the teaching lab, I
cannot envisage it being safe to do so in the near future.
Moreover, having started upon the online route this year, I
believe it would actually be counter productive to switch mode at
this point mid-semester, and it would create a number of very
difficult logistical issues as the new structure that has been
imposed on us (PH380 and PH390) complicates matters considerably.<br>
</p>
<p>It is a matter of regret that we are still dealing with this
situation. I am concerned that the University has failed to heed
the health and safety concerns of both staff and students. I
reiterate that the students union and UCU both remain opposed to
resuming F2F teaching. <br>
</p>
<p>According to the attached guidance from the Health and Safety
Executive, employees have a <b><u>duty</u></b> to "Tell someone
(your employer, supervisor, or health and safety representative)
if you think the work or inadequate precautions are putting
anyone’s health and safety at serious risk". I believe returning
to F2F next week would put people's health at risk and I am
raising this with you as a serious concern. I am copying this to
the local branch of UCU as I believe this is a matter of concern
across the University as well as in our Department. I hope after
tomorrow's meeting you will be in a position to raise this concern
with senior management.<br>
</p>
<p>Regards</p>
<p>David<br>
</p>
<p><br>
</p>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">On 19/10/2020 17:42, Physics-HOD wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote type="cite" cite="mid:9a0692c6-939f-37a2-1050-9abd8a20d6f2@strath.ac.uk">Dear
All,
<br>
<br>
This email contains a brief update regarding face-to-face
teaching.
<br>
<br>
As you know, the University Executive Team adjusted its plans for
the transition to blended learning, by rephasing the commencement
of the transition phase for two weeks. This means that across the
University there is no face-to-face teaching in weeks 4 and 5 of
semester 1, and face-to-face teaching will start next week (week
6).
<br>
<br>
We are in discussions with the Faculty regarding teaching delivery
in Physics for the reminder of the semester, given that the
learning outcomes for our courses can be achieved via online
methods. The Dean will discuss our case with the Executive Team
and I expect a decision on this in the next day or two.
<br>
<br>
I have scheduled a Zoom meeting (details below) for 4pm-5pm on
Wednesday (21st Oct) afternoon, to discuss our approach to
delivering teaching for the rest of semester 1, including a
discussion of the University’s process of approvals, assurances,
and risk assessment. Please join this discussion, particularly if
you are teaching this semester. Thanks.
<br>
<br>
Meeting URL: <a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="https://strath.zoom.us/j/97517250810?from=addon">https://strath.zoom.us/j/97517250810?from=addon</a>
<br>
Meeting ID: 975 1725 0810
<br>
Password: 898474
<br>
<br>
Best wishes,
<br>
Paul
<br>
<br>
</blockquote>
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