Master's message to Members regarding COVID-19
Dear Pembroke Members,
I am writing to let you know how Pembroke will be operating in the face of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.
I know that this is a very tough time for many of you, whether that is due to illness and self-isolation, loss of work and income, or by having to cope with unexpected changes to work and childcare arrangements. Our very best wishes and thoughts, from all of us here at Pembroke, are with you.
As you may have read, the University of Cambridge has moved to “red status”, which means that the University has shut all of its buildings to students. All staff are being required to work from home unless they are needed for business-critical activities, are working to develop a vaccine for COVID-19 or have to feed and care for animals and plants.
What does this mean for Pembroke students?
I know that this is a very anxious time for our students, particularly our finalists and one-year MPhil students. While the end of Lent Term meant that the majority of our undergraduates were already due to leave Cambridge last weekend, the University has now asked that all students, both undergraduate and postgraduate, return home, if at all possible.
Not everyone can do this, particularly our mature and our overseas students. We currently have around 70 students still living in Pembroke accommodation and the College is working to keep them safe and secure. For those who are self-isolating, the College is ensuring that they are as comfortable as possible, and have networks of support for provisions, online contact and pastoral care.
The University has decided that students should not return physically for Easter Term, and that all teaching for next term will be done online, with the mechanism for examinations and assessments still to be finalised by the various departments and faculties. Unfortunately, this means that there will be no formal graduation in June for our finalists. While their physical presence at Pembroke may have ended earlier than anyone might have wished, they are and will always be Pembroke Members. In due course, we will look to find a way to welcome them back for a proper send-off and graduation ceremony.
What does this mean for our staff?
We have arranged for the majority of our office-based staff to work from home. Staff in housekeeping, catering, gardening, maintenance and the Porters’ Lodge are still in place, because their contribution to sustaining the College environment is vital. We are committed to supporting our loyal staff through what is an unsettling and difficult period.
What does this mean for our Fellows?
Most of our Fellows are now working from home, trying to conduct their research and to prepare for online teaching next term as best they can. For those who do come into College, they can obtain buttery service from the kitchen, including in take-away food boxes. High Table for lunch and dinner is no longer available. Both the College and University Libraries are closed, though virtual access is being greatly enhanced. And we have closed the College to all outside visitors. We are also making special support arrangements for any of our elderly Emeritus Fellows who may need assistance. And in the meantime, some of our Fellows with wider university responsibilities are working day and night on all the various coronavirus implications; Dan Tucker and Mark Wormald, our current and former Senior Tutor, have been especially hard pressed.
What does this mean for our alumni?
We have decided, sadly, to cancel all upcoming alumni events for the immediate future: after all, these are not really times for celebration. This includes the 1995-1997 Foundress’ Feast, the May Week Benefactors’ Reception and the 50 Year Reunion Year Lunch. We will rearrange appropriate events when normality returns. We are hopeful that the events due to happen in September and October might go ahead, but it is too soon to tell for certain. We will be in touch about these, when the picture is clearer.
This is also an opportunity to try out some different styles of alumni get-togethers and I know that the Development Office is looking into organising online careers events and other forms of electronic social interaction.
I’m afraid that we have had to suspend – for the time being – Members’ dining and accommodation rights. The College is closed for all non-resident members. I hope you will understand.
What does this mean for the work of the Development Office?
The development team is still active, although all members of the team are working from their homes. If you do have any queries, you can contact them through the normal channels, but please be aware that it may take them a little longer to respond. Preparations for the Mill Lane development are continuing apace, with all architectural and planning work continuing online, and we remain committed to a start on site for the first phase of the development in the autumn of this year. The crucial work of fundraising for the development does, of course, continue.
Other impacts
Admissions: The Collegiate University is still working through the implications of the decision by the UK government to base this year’s A-level results on mock exams and teacher assessments. Pembroke, like all Colleges, makes more offers (conditional on results) than there are places. We will need to make careful and fair assessments based on what the new form of “results” tells us; we still want to ensure that we take the very brightest students.
International Programmes: the Easter courses and the summer Pembroke-King’s Programme have been cancelled this year. This will, I’m afraid, have a major impact on our finances this year.
Pragmatically, like so many businesses, the pandemic will have a significant financial impact on the College, which the Bursar and Deputy Bursar are working hard to mitigate. We will, I know, face a difficult few years as a result. However, at this time when everyone is having to change their physical patterns and routines, the most important thing for all of us is to take good care of our health and that of those around us.
Pembroke’s primary reason for existing is to educate its students. The College’s familiar patterns and routines may have been disrupted but this will not stop us providing support for all our current students to attain the achievements that they have hitherto worked so hard for.
Finally, I would also like to take this opportunity on behalf of everyone in Pembroke to thank all our alumni working on the front line, tackling COVID-19, looking after the sick and providing social care, working to keep supermarkets supplied with food, the emergency services, teachers and other public, policy and financial services. Thank you for all your efforts to keep us safe and healthy in these dark times.
With very best wishes to you all,
Chris Smith
(Rt Hon Lord Smith of Finsbury, Master)
Tuesday 24th March 2020