Indoor society events at 100% space capacity for vaccinated people could take place on-campus as soon as September 20, the beginning of Freshers’ Week, the Central Societies Committee (CSC) has announced.
In an email to societies last night, the CSC said it had “received communication from College that, due to society “activity not being classified as education, an introduction of indoor events subject to vaccination-based restrictions could be made available for societies”.
Previously, College had specifically told the CSC it would not allow events that took account of participants’ vaccination status.
A number of nationwide restrictions are due to ease on September 20, including allowing indoor events at 100% capacity for vaccinated people. Any easing of College’s ban on indoor events would “most likely” coincide with this date, according to the CSC.
The organisation said it would aim to have bookable spaces available for such events rather than implementing a system whereby individual events have to be approved.
It also noted that the system would require society committees to check vaccine certs at indoor events, and that it was “conscious” of the reasons they “may be uncomfortable” with doing this. The CSC therefore asked for society feedback on the idea, and noted that outdoor bookable spaces would remain usable.
Alongside the announcement about indoor events, the CSC gave societies specific updates on the Freshers’ Fair, due to take place on Monday, Wednesday and Friday of Freshers’ Week.
Many societies have struggled with the uncertainty of organising events around the start of term, with outdoor spaces only becoming available to book after the first day of Senior Freshers’ Week.
