Update from Vice-Provost/Chief Academic Officer, College Secretary and College Health Service Director to staff and students

21 May 2021

Dear students and colleagues

It is positive to see the country re-opening with the easing of some restrictions. However, it is very important that all Schools and Units should continue to adhere to the public health restrictions put in place under Level 5 as long as we remain in Level 5. 

Staff who are working from home should continue to do so if possible. This is the case even if you have been vaccinated with a first or second vaccination. It is a safer approach for the Trinity community, as per Government guidelines. Only staff and students who need to come onto campus for essential purposes should do so.

We must all keep our guard up. Thank you for your ongoing support in continuing to adhere to public health guidelines of restricting social gatherings, social distancing, wearing face coverings and hand washing, etc. 

HSE ransomware attack

We would like to thank the staff from IT Services and Estates and Facilities who helped the HSE last weekend after a major ransomware cyberattack caused HSE IT systems nationwide to be shut down. You will have seen in the news that this was the most significant cybercrime attack on an Irish state agency and has had massive repercussions. 

Our staff facilitated HSE contact tracing centre teams being established in two locations, one team in the East End PC rooms and a second now working from the Computer Science and Statistics PC rooms in Trinity Central.

This cyberattack reinforces how vital it is for us all to be vigilant and careful to protect all of the IT systems we use for teaching, learning, research and support, and the important data on these sites. We urge you to exercise caution particularly around opening attachments and clicking on links in suspicious emails. 

To find out how more about IT security tips, please see here . If you have any concerns please contact the IT Service Desk at itservicedesk@tcd.ie  or 896 2000.  

The Perch reopens 

From next Monday, 24 May, The Perch in the Arts Building will be open again for take away service, Monday to Sunday, 9am-6pm. It will supply free hot water to students. Don’t forget that students may access the main campus for the purpose of purchasing food to take away from The Buttery. To do so you will need to book a timeslot here  in order to show security staff to gain access to the campus. If you are on campus for another purpose you do not need to book a time slot. 

Library and student spaces – Summer 2021 

With the majority of exams finishing by the end of May, the following Library, study and breakout spaces will be open during the summer months to accommodate students finishing exams or completing dissertations: 

All other breakout and study spaces will close at the end of May. Until then, please see the current online class/study spaces and student breakout spaces that are bookable throughout the assessment period here

The Kinsella Library and 1937 Reading Room study spaces are overseen by the GSU and the student breakout spaces by the SU. Thank you to GSU president, Gisèle Scanlon and SU president, Eoin Hand and their teams for organising these spaces and all the stewards for their ongoing careful management of the spaces. 

Stay safe. Stay well. Bígí slán agus sábháilte.

Kind regards,

Professor Jürgen Barkhoff, Vice-Provost/Chief Academic Officer
An tOllamh Jürgen Barkhoff, An Leas-Phropast/Príomhoifigeach Acadúil/Agus An Leas-Uachtharán

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