How we’re keeping you safe AND FRESHERS' FAQ
We’re so happy to be able to host in-person events again this year at Freshers’ Fest, and we can’t wait to see you at them.
While there are currently no COVID restrictions in place for this year, your safety remains our priority. Because of this, whenever possible we’re expecting you to test yourself for COVID before attending events – our staff will be doing this, and by following suit you’ll be helping us to protect the student body and keep our events schedule going.
How can I get a COVID Test?
To test before you come to our events, you can use the on-site testing facilities (details and a booking link for these can be found here) or you can order Lateral Flow Tests for use at home through this link.
Do I need to wear a mask?
Masks aren’t mandatory at our events, but our staff will be wearing them and we’d encourage you to wear one too if you don’t feel comfortable without one.
Do I need to be socially distanced at Freshers' Fest events?
While there are technically no restrictions on this, please remember at these events that everyone is in a different situation. With this in mind, we would encourage that you keep your distance from people if you don’t know what they’re comfortable with.
What should I do if I'm experiencing COVID symptoms during Freshers' Fest?
If you're experiencing COVID symptoms, you need to isolate test yourself using a lateral flow test (details above). If you test positive you'll need to report it to the University using this form straight away.
We would ask that you please don't attend our Freshers' Fest events if you are experiencing COVID symptoms so that we can keep our community safe.
How will I be kept safe at events that are off site, or with other people involved?
We’re running events with a wide variety of other institutions who we know and trust, and we’re making sure that they play their part in keeping you safe. All companies at our Freshers’ Fair will be testing the day before they come, and we’re ensuring that all of the other external venues and companies involved in Freshers’ Fest meet our standards of COVID safety.
FAQ
Where is an event/what do I wear to it/what's happening within a specific event?
Wristband collection
If you bought a Freshers’ Fest ticket online, you’ll need to come to Student Square to exchange it for a wristband. We’ll be exchanging online tickets for wristbands at the following times and dates:
- 9am - 11pm Sunday 19 September
- 9am - 9pm Monday 20 September
- Between 9am and 5pm on any weekday after that (come to K11 rather than Student Square on any day after Monday 20th September)
Prior to this we were running a wristband exchange from 12-4pm on Saturday 18 September. Unfortunately, it won’t be possible for us to run this collection window as we’re a very small team and won’t be able to staff the office on this day. We apologise for any inconvenience.
To collect your wristband, you will be required to bring your Student ID and a valid regular ID (eg passport/drivers’ license). Pictures of student IDs or regular IDs cannot and will not be accepted. If you are yet to receive your student ID when you are coming to collect your wristband, we will need to see a copy of your enrolment letter or an enrolment email confirming that you’ve been accepted into St Mary’s as a student.
Individual Ticket Sales
If they don’t sell out, we’ll be selling tickets for each individual event at stmaryssu.co.uk until midnight the day before the event in question (eg if you want to go to Pryzm on Monday, you’ll be able to buy tickets online until Sunday at Midnight).
On the day of each nightlife event, we’ll be selling tickets if they’re available and running wristband collection for online individual ticket sales at the following times. We haven’t included Bowling, Sunset Cinema or Bike Hire below as it’s very likely that these will sell out in a short amount of time – but if they don’t well update this list.
- 9am - 11pm Sunday 19 September
- 9am - 9pm Monday 20 September
- 9am - 9pm Tuesday 21 September
- 9am – 11pm Friday 24 September
A note on wristbands
When you collect any wristband, the wristband must go directly onto your wrist and will be tightened when it goes on (we will do our best to avoid any hand contact and we will be wearing gloves and visors to keep you safe). Loose wristbands cannot and will not be given out under any circumstances - this policy is in place to keep all of our events as safe as they can be. We keep our ticket collection hours open as late as we can to avoid any complications that arise with this wristband policy, so we hope you can understand.
If you fray or break your Freshers’ Fest wristband, keep it and come to our office in K11 during our Office Hours to exchange it for a fresh one. If you lose your band, it cannot be replaced by us under any circumstances.
Non students and Alumni
Non-students and alumni unfortunately can’t attend Freshers’ Fest and won’t be given wristbands when they come to collect them. We hope to welcome you at future events, but our capacity is limited for this one. If you’re a non-student and have bought a ticket, please email smsu@stmarys.ac.uk to arrange your refund.
Behaviour at events
Make sure you drink aware at Freshers’ Fest. Don‘t ruin it for yourself by overdoing it. Drug use and antisocial behaviour won’t be tolerated and will be reported to the police if necessary.
Respecting our Community
Please respect our local community and stay quiet when you’re in our local area at night.
We’re excited to see you soon – make sure you keep checking stmaryssu.co.uk and follow us @stmaryssu on Instagram to keep up to date if any changes are made.
