Update from College Secretary and Director, College Health Service to students and staff
3 December 2020
Dear students and colleagues,
We would like to update you on the impact of moving from Level 5 to Level 3 on certain areas of College. As outlined in last week’s email, there is no change to teaching arrangements for the rest of this semester.
Study and Library space
The Library will resume evening and Saturday opening (with counter services) in the Berkeley, Lecky, Ussher and Hamilton libraries from next Monday, 7 December. The John Stearne Medical Library and the Research Collections Joint Reading Room will also resume Saturday opening from 12 December.For the first time, study spaces will be provided during the Christmas/New Year holidays in Kinsella Hall, the 1937 Reading Room , the Public Theatre (Exam Hall) and the former Bank, Hamilton Building . Open from 24 December – 3 January excluding Christmas Day, 25 December, pre-booking is essential, please see here . Monitored by postgraduate stewards through the GSU, a face covering policy is in place to ensure your safety, similar to all indoor spaces.
Catering outlets
The Buttery now has the option of both take-away and limited in-house seating, 8am – 3pm. Don’t forget that there is 50% off everything in the Buttery Restaurant for all students when purchasing food with your TCard. The Perch is open for takeaway only, 8am – 5pm while The 1592 has reopened for lunch, 12-2.30pm with advanced bookings (ext 1592 or 1592@tcd.ie)
Sporting activities
Trinity Sport Centre, gym and pool (expect for the sauna and steam room) and our outdoor campus sports facilities at Santry Sports Grounds, Iveagh Sports Grounds and Islandbridge Boathouse reopened this week. For more details on the online booking system, hours of opening of the Sport Centre, and to find out about student sport club activity under Level 3, please see here
Student residents
It is important to note that the restrictions in student residences remain the same - student residents are not allowed to have parties, indoor gatherings, visitors or overnight guests in their rooms. This may sound like a difficult ask in the run up to Christmas, but please continue to respect these requirements to help stop the spread of COVID-19. These restrictions are necessary as a matter of public health and out of respect for one another.
Supporting Student Life during the Pandemic - Trinity Trust Special Fund
Student groups can apply for the Trinity Trust Special Fund for grants from a special fund of €100,000 to support student life during the pandemic. This fund was established to assist student societies, sports clubs and other organised student groups to develop new projects that advance learning and education in College. Deadline for applications is Friday 11 December, please see here for details.
Protecting our College community
Your efforts in helping reduce the spread of COVID-19 are making a difference, thank you. It is still very important to take all preventative measures to prevent the spread of the virus such as face coverings, hand washing, cough and sneeze good practice and physical distancing. It is important we mind each other, and protect each other, and follow Government guidelines both on and off campus. We look forward to welcoming more of you on campus with the easing of restrictions.
Stay safe. Stay well. Bígí slán agus sábháilte.
Kind regards,
John Coman, Secretary to the College
Seán Ó Comáin, Rúnaí an Choláiste
An Dr Daithi Mac Craith, Stiúrthóir, Seirbhís Sláinte an Choláiste