#ProudToBeEC – ECSA – Working for Our Students During Lockdown
As part of our #ProudtobeEC campaign we want to pay tribute to our Students’ Association for the role they’ve played in supporting students throughout this challenging time.
Edinburgh College Students’ Association (ECSA) has done amazing work to keep our students up-to-date and to provide them with support while learning at home. The ECSA team swiftly moved to working from home the day after classes were suspended, ensuring students have the help they need.
Ahead of online teaching beginning in March, VPs Shannon and Seoras hosted a Facebook Live stream where they answered questions from students about the impact of Coronavirus on their studies. They have since hosted further streams – continuing to give our students peace of mind and clarity during this time.
Since we went into lockdown, ECSA has encouraged our students to keep connected with them, each other and the College through their #stillastudent campaign. We’ve loved seeing lots of photos of wriggly study buddies, pampered pets, and study from home stations.
ECSA has also set up a Virtual Campus to help our students feel connected while they study at home. The Edinburgh College Virtual Campus Facebook group allows students to send in messages about how they’re feeling, ask any questions they might have, and to keep connected with their peers while learning at home. This has proved to be a fantastic resource for our students while being away from campuses.
The ECSA team has also been busy collating some handy tips and advice for students. Ideas and themes include: Physical and mental health advice, keeping children and pets occupied, and sustainability in the household. Visit the ECSA Facebook page or ECSA website for more information.
ECSA’s GoGreen team has also been busy during the Coronavirus outbreak, finalising plans for the next phase in its Sustainability project after receiving a second round of Climate Challenge Funding (CCF) from the Scottish Government. The team, which has run a low-carbon travel project for students since 2018, is set to expand its work even further until 2022. We can’t wait to find out more in the very near future.
This period of campus closures and lockdown has been very challenging for us all. Our role is to continue engaging with our student community, making sure they’re OK and that they get the support the need at all times. I’m really proud of everyone at ECSA for the part they’ve played in making our students feel safe and calm during this time.ECSA President Carla Ford
Our Principal Audrey Cumberford said: “I’d like to thank our wonderful Students’ Association. The ECSA team has been incredible in helping the College to look after our students through these unprecedented times – and do everything we possibly can to keep our students connected to our College. I know students are worried, not just about now and their studies but about their future. I know that so much uncertainty can make our students anxious. ECSA are playing an invaluable role in trying to minimise levels of uncertainty, respond quickly to concerns raised by students and reinforce that students should not worry about what is out of their control. I would urge every student to stay connected, however you can with your lecturers, College staff and our Students’ Association. We will get through this together with you and we will open our campuses again – and we truly hope this experience will make us a better College and one you can be proud to be part of. Do. Not. Give. Up. I am so thankful for the work of students and staff from right across our College in helping each other, making sure we’re all OK, and I’m proud of everyone for playing their part in our College community.Principal Audrey Cumberford
Share the reasons why you’re #ProudtobeEC with our Communications team by emailing communications@edinburghcollege.ac.uk or via Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
