Call to ensure that all students, staff and the general public are safe as universities prepare to return

Along with my colleague Councillor  Georgia Cruickshank I have written to the Principals of Abertay University and the University of Dundee as well as the Chief Executives of NHS Tayside and Dundee City Council seeking reassurance that everything is being done to ensure that all students and staff at the universities as well as the general public in Dundee are as safe as possible as the universities prepare to return.  Councillor Cruickshank and myself represent the wards where the universities are based.  

You can see our comments below and the email which we sent to the universities and to NHS Tayside and Dundee City Council.

Councillor Georgia Cruickshank said, 'I hope that the universities return and that everyone is safe.  Our universities are so important to the city and students make a great contribution to the city.  I am looking forward to the students returning.  I want to make sure that it is done safely.'

Councillor Richard McCready said, 'Both Abertay and Dundee Universities contribute so much to our city.  Students make a huge contribution to the city.  Along with my colleague Councillor Georgia Cruickshank I am looking for a reassurance that all the authorities in Dundee are working together to make the return of students safe.  I want to make sure that everything is being done to keep staff at the universities safe; to keep students at the universities safe and also to keep the public in Dundee safe.'

Please see below a copy of the email which we have sent to the Principals of Abertay University and the University of Dundee as well as the Chief Executives of NHS Tayside and Dundee City Council.

'Dear all

As councillors for the West End and Maryfield wards we are writing to you to say that we hope that the next academic year for Abertay University and the University of Dundee is a great success.

We are looking forward to seeing our city become even more vibrant with the return of students.  We know that the Higher and Further education sector contributes hugely to the economy of the city and that many jobs are created both directly and indirectly as a result of this.  We also know that students contribute to the nature of our city and make our wards what they are.

We are writing to you today to seek some reassurance that you are doing all that you can to ensure that students and staff in your institutions and general public are as protected as they can be from the ongoing covid-19 pandemic.

We would be grateful to hear what your organisations are doing to help combat Covid-19 and keep staff, students and the general public safe.

Once again, we want to restate our very warm welcome to all students, and our hope that this academic year is a success and most importantly our hope that everyone stays safe.

Best wishes

Yours sincerely

Councillor Georgia Cruickshank

Maryfield Ward

Councillor Richard McCready

West End Ward'