A message from the College Principal, Aileen McKechnie and Students’ Association President, Elizabeth Newlands CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) In response to Government advice on how best to respond to and contain the risks from Coronavirus, South Lanarkshire College stopped all face-to-face teaching on 17 March and spent the remainder of that week supporting students and staff to continue with their studies on-line. The college buildings are now closed for all but essential maintenance and all staff are now working from home. You are no longer able to access any of our physical facilities, such as the library. Until now, most of your learning has taken place in a traditional way – in a classroom, workshop, kitchen or salon. We have now shifted to support as much learning as possible remotely, using technology, which is new for all of us. If you are experiencing any IT issues, or if you are needing help with accessing our IT systems, then please email: itsupport@slc.ac.uk We have a number of resources that will support your learning at home, including access to a wide range of e-books and e-magazines through the Library Moodle page. Staff will be available to give helpful guidance and advice on any resources you may need and you can contact then by emailing: library@slc.ac.uk Our Guidance & Support team including counselling support will continue to be available to help you on the phone or through email. Please email: student.support@slc.ac.uk in the first instance. A top priority for us is to help students avoid any financial difficulties. Everyone entitled to bursaries and childcare payments will continue to be paid while the college is closed. If you have any concerns about this, please email: bursaries@slc.ac.uk Students requiring learning support can make contact with the Learning Development team by emailing: support.forlearning@slc.ac.uk Applications for courses starting in August can be made through our website. Applications continue to be processed and we are already getting in touch with existing applicants about next stages and alternative arrangements for interviews. Our full course list can be found here: www.slc.ac.uk/find-a-course/ Our absolute priority remains to protect the health and wellbeing of our college community, and to maintain teaching provision wherever that is possible. While the building may not be physically open, South Lanarkshire College will remain open for business as a virtual place of learning and teaching. We are all living through unprecedented times. We are very grateful to you all for your patience and goodwill, and for the hard work you have and will continue to invest in your studies. Please continue to access whatever online learning you can, keep in touch with your lecturers, and do take advantage of all the support and advice that is available. We will get through this. We will work together and support one another. Keep well. Stay safe. All best wishes,
Aileen McKechnie Principal & Chief Executive
Elizabeth Newlands Student President