Community safety at heart of Responsibility & Respect Pledge

Community safety at heart of Responsibility & Respect Pledge

Students and staff are signing up to Abertay's new joint Responsibility & Respect Pledge as the new academic year begins today.

Created in partnership with trade union representatives and the Abertay Students’ Association, the pledge covers a range of commitments including respecting national guidance, wearing a face covering where required on campus, social distancing, self-isolating if suffering from symptoms and treating the community with kindness and respect.

Students make a vital contribution to Dundee and the creative and cultural vibrancy of the city.

The University is following strict Scottish Government guidelines and all students and staff have been made fully aware of the rules, and their own responsibilities around the likes of social gatherings and Test & Protect procedures.

Daniela Bandeva, President of Abertay Students Union, said: “We are pleased to sign up to this pledge, and are committed to doing all we can to ensure students remain safe and the local community remains protected.”

Maureen Guild from Unite the Union said: “We hope the pledge will encourage positive behaviour by colleagues and students. Unite will continue to work with the University over the coming months to ensure the continued safety of staff and students.”

Abertay University Principal Professor Nigel Seaton said: “Over the last few months we have worked hard to ensure the Abertay campus is ready to accommodate the safe but limited return of students and staff for face-to-face teaching.

“This pledge is an important part of these measures, recognising the role we can and must play as individuals to protect ourselves, our friends and colleagues, and the wider community of Dundee.”