Update from College Secretary and Director, College Health Service
30 April 2021
Dear students and staff
The first onsite COVID-19 vaccinations were administered this week by the College Health Service to Trinity students and staff with very high-risk medical conditions as per the COVID-19 Vaccine Allocation Plan. This is a positive development for the medically vulnerable in our College community.
The College Health Service has completed the administration of COVID-19 vaccines to patients aged 60 and over in The Helix and can now concentrate on people in the 18-59-year bracket with medical conditions who need the vaccines the most. Please see our video clip here.Other positive news was the Government’s announcement yesterday evening of the easing of several COVID-19 restrictions in a new reopening plan for the country starting on 4th May. To see an overview of this plan, please click here.
May Bank Holiday arrangements for Library and student spaces
Thank you to our students and staff who have worked unstintingly to keep the Library, online class/study spaces and student breakout spaces operating safely during the past year and will continue to do so over the May Bank Holiday weekend. Please see the table below for an overview of what spaces are open.
Kinsella Hall and the 1937 Postgraduate Reading Room will remain open 1st to 3rd May, 8am-10pm while all other Library spaces will be closed. Normal Library hours will resume on Tuesday 4th May.
Spaces (Capacity at 2m Social Distance) |
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Library |
Kinsella Hall & 1937 Reading Room Can book multiple slots but not consecutive slots in the same floor/area
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Open 8am-10pm, Sat 1st, Sun 2nd, Mon 3rd May
Open 8am-10pm, Sat 1st, Sun 2nd, Mon 3rd May
Postgraduates Only |
Student Study Spaces |
Eventbrite bookings – 1 hr slots. Can book a maximum of two consecutive slots with maximum stay 1hr. 45mins.
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Open 9am–10pm, Sat 1st, Sun 2nd, Mon 3rd May
Open 9am–10pm, Mon 3rd May
Open 9am-6pm, Mon 3rd May
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Supervised by GSU stewards |
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Take an online class, online tutor meeting, online counselling or study |
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Student BreakoutSpaces |
Microsoft Bookings – 1 hr slots. |
Open 9am-6pm, Mon 3rd May
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Supervised by SU stewards |
Can book a maximum of two consecutive 1hr slots but space cleared at 15mins to every hour. |
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Book a slot for take away food from The Buttery
Don’t forget that students can access the main campus again after the Bank Holiday weekend on 4th May for the purpose of purchasing food to take away from The Buttery and take advantage of the 50% discount available when paying with your T-card. Please book a timeslot here in order to show security staff to gain access to the campus. If you have a booking on campus for another purpose you do not need to book a time slot in The Buttery to gain entry to the campus.
Forthcoming assessments
With semester 2 assessments starting soon, please refer to the Senior Lecturer’s email of 28 April here with important information on online exams, assessment formats, defferals, re-sits and more.
Student and staff supports
We realise that this has been a very challenging year for many - it is important to look after yourself and others. Times such as these are stressful for many people, and uncertainty makes this worse.
Remember that you can find student support from your Tutor or Senior Tutor’s office at ST.Office@tcd.ie. Student Counselling is available at student-counselling@tcd.ie while the Chaplains are available at chaplain@tcd.ie. International Students can contact the Global Room at tcdglobalroom@tcd.ie. More information regarding student supports and services can be found here.
Staff can avail of the confidential and free Inspire Workplaces Counselling Services as part of Trinity’s Employee Assistance Programme service. You can find useful information on the HR website about working from home and staying healthy at home.
A HSE crisis helpline is available to all staff and students in distress. To access it, Text TCD to 50808 and you will receive a response and a TEXT conversation will commence between the caller and a responder. The conversation can continue for a long period e.g. up to 1.5 hours.
PCR testing
PCR testing is not provided through the public health system. PCR testing can be done with third-party commercial testing facilities in advance of departure if you are travelling from Ireland, please see here. Booking in advance is necessary. Other private health care providers also offer this service. For students who return to Ireland from abroad, PCR testing is provided free of charge by the College Health Service.
Please continue to take all preventative measures on campus and at home to stop the spread of the virus to keep one another safe. These include hand washing, cough etiquette, face coverings and physical distancing. Thank you.
Stay safe. Stay well. Bígí slán agus sábháilte.
Kind regards,
John Coman, Secretary to the College
Seán Ó Comáin, Rúnaí an Choláiste
Dr David McGrath, Director, College Health Service
An Dr Daithi Mac Craith, Stiúrthóir, Seirbhís Sláinte an Choláiste