Dear student,
Any year can bring its challenges, but for many of you this year has brought more than most.
As we farewell an extraordinary Semester 1, it is worth reflecting on how much has been achieved. It has been inspiring to see the way our students and staff have shown resilience, commitment, and compassion to one another throughout this semester.
I am mindful however that the news across Australia about COVID-19 is not as positive as it was just a few weeks ago. Whilst most of you live in a place where restrictions on gatherings and activities have eased greatly and you can enjoy regained freedoms, those of you based in Victoria and in some parts of NSW are facing a much stricter return of restrictions. My thoughts are with those who are facing this latest challenge. Remember that we are here for you if you need.
Travel
In contrast to increased freedoms in place in some areas relating to gatherings and activities, restrictions on travel across State and Territory borders have increased, or not been eased as initially planned.
The restrictions on crossing the SA-Victoria border are particularly strict.
At this time and for the foreseeable future, interstate travel should be reconsidered. We are aware that some people have been unable to return from a trip, or have been faced with expensive quarantine bills due to changes in restrictions after a trip has commenced. The restrictions on travel can change with almost no notice.
You can read the latest information about restrictions coming into or leaving South Australia on the SA COVID-19 website. Other State and Territory Restrictions which apply in Australia are also provided on the Australian Government’s COVID information page.
The Australian Government still has a global Do Not Travel in place which applies to all Australian citizens and permanent residents. There is no indication of when this restriction will be lifted and it would be prudent to assume that this restriction will remain for at least the rest of this year.
Semester 1 results
Results for Semester 1 were released via our Student System from Friday 17 July.
Please take time to celebrate all your achievements, but if you’ve had a difficult semester and things have not gone as well as you could have hoped, we are here to help.
Any student who has passed a topic but would prefer the topic grade to not be listed on their record or counted towards their GPA can apply to have that grade converted to a Non-Graded Pass. See here for what this means and to apply for your grade to be converted.
If you have had difficulty with a number of topics we may be in touch to help you, and to identify what you can do to get back on track.
You can always reach out to us too. Flinders has a range of support services available to help you, and you can talk through these services in more detail with our Flinders Support Network advisors.
If you need counselling support, the Counselling Service is available to you. To make an appointment to speak to someone please call (08) 8201 2118 between 9am and 5pm weekdays or email counselling@flinders.edu.au. Outside these hours, crisis counselling support is available by calling 1300 512 409 or texting 0488 884 103. This includes weekends and public holidays.
Semester 2
To all those new students joining us this semester, welcome!
Our Orientation program began this week and events will continue over the coming four weeks. Whilst the number and types of events will be different to our orientation at the beginning of Semester 1, the warmth of our welcome is unchanged. All students are welcome to join in and you can find out what’s happening here.
Next week is the formal start of Semester 2 and we look forward to welcoming students back on campus as more face-to-face teaching recommences. Seminars, tutorials, practical and laboratory work will re-commence face-to-face in COVID-Safe environments. Lectures which would require much larger groups of students to gather together will be delivered online. In many cases students will have the ability to keep studying online with a mix of online and face-to-face study being available.
If you are unsure, please check your topic details. If you need support with enrolment or information about your classes, Flinders Connect is available to help you online or over the phone.
Health and Hygiene on Campus
Our staff have worked hard in recent weeks to prepare for your return to campus.
We will have fewer students than normal in each classroom and have put in place additional spacing requirements in public spaces such as computer labs and food outlets. Our cleaning services have been increased and we have hand sanitiser and reminder notices in place throughout the campus.
Nevertheless, it is every-one’s responsibility to keep the campus as safe a place as possible.
The recent outbreaks in Victoria are a timely reminder to all of us of the criticality of practising good hygiene and social distancing where ever you are, but in particular as you as you come back to campus for the start of Semester 2.
As South Australia’s Chief Public Health Officer, Professor Nicola Spurrier, said in her letter to students earlier this year you must “not attend university if you are unwell, even with only very mild symptoms consistent with COVID-19”. These include cough, sore throat, blocked or runny nose, fever or loss of taste or smell.
Wherever you are, we are delighted to have you studying with us, proud of all the work you have done, and look forward to seeing you soon (online or on campus).
Take care and look out for each other,
Clare
Professor Clare Pollock