Government issues message to Chichester residents and students

Universities minister Michelle Donelan said she wanted to reassure the people of Chichester that 'every effort' is being made by the Government to ensure the beginning of term takes place as 'safely and sensibly as possible'.

She said: “This is a challenging time for us all, and I recognise that some residents in university towns and cities such as Chichester, and its surrounding areas, may feel nervous ahead of the start of the academic term.

“But I want to reassure the people of Chichester that every effort is being made by the Government and universities to ensure that students return to campus as safely and sensibly as possible.

“We have already seen a mammoth effort from universities with a host of protective measures being put in place, such as limiting travel into campus, staggering class times over extended days, and reinforcing hand hygiene, to keep students and local residents as safe as we can during this time.

“But I have been clear that health advice only works if we all follow it and I am urging students, just like the wider public, to do their bit and act responsibly. I have faith in students that they will follow the guidance and by doing so protect their family, friends and local communities, and ensure campuses can remain open.”

The statement comes as the University of Chichester landed in the Times and Sunday Tims 2021 Good University Guide. It was placed 46th our of 135 higher education institutions.

It follows a few weeks after the Univerity was named as the 29th-best in the country by the Guardian University Guide, owing to its high student-satisfaction rates and graduate prospects.