Dear Student
The news of the increase in cases of COVID-19 continues to cause concern here and across the world. My thoughts are with you, and your family and friends in other states or countries who may face even greater challenges than we do at present.
Governments and medical authorities are increasingly advising people to stay home; we are adapting our teaching arrangements to ensure that you can continue your learning during this time.
I have been delighted how students and staff have banded together in recent weeks to support each other in the online learning space and I look forward to seeing this strengthen as we all adapt to a changed way of life during this pandemic.
There may not yet be a vaccine against coronavirus, but the knowledge and skills you learn at university are vaccine which prepares you to face the future of work, and we are here to support you.
Classes on Campus
From Monday 30 March all classes will be held online.
Any face-to-face classes which cannot be run online will be deferred until later in the year when we have moved past this current crisis. If necessary, topic grades will be held over and students will be allowed to progress as if they have passed the topic. No student will be disadvantaged in terms of progression due to this decision.
This does not apply to some students who may be undertaking placement activities, nor for research students (eg Honours and PhD students) who need to undertake their studies in a campus laboratory or similar. Arrangements for these students will be advised separately.
There are some other exceptions (such as students in topics being taught by another institution) and the arrangements for these and students at other campuses will be advised separately.
Assessment and Grades
Central examinations will of course not be able to be held as normal this semester, and alternate arrangements are being made. Other assessments may also need to be amended. Academic staff are currently reviewing the Statement of Assessment Methods for each topic to ensure that assessments for each topic can be completed without students attending campus. These will be reviewed by each College for approval and communicated by email and on FLO as a matter of priority.
I am aware that there has been discussion amongst student groups and universities across the country as to whether our grading system should change for this semester in the current environment. Some universities are only using Pass/Fail grades for this semester, rather than grades reflecting different levels of achievement (eg Pass, Credit, Distinction, High Distinction). The University is currently considering this option, but I am keen to hear your view via your Topic, Course or College representatives, your FUSA representatives, or you may write to me directly.
Services on campus
Today the Vice-Chancellor has written to all staff to advise that those who can do their work from home safely and effectively are asked to do so by 6 April.
However we are not closing the campus.
Our campus facilities are still available for you, in particular our computer laboratories and study spaces. And staff will still be on campus – albeit in smaller numbers – to ensure these facilities are available for you, and the campus stays safe.
Unfortunately, our physical library spaces needed to close earlier this week, but access to materials and librarian support are available online. Computers have been moved into other spaces, including into the ground floor area by Flinders Connect so that you can continue to use these.
Importantly, we are moving more and more of our services online. You can check these out through the Flinders Support Network webpage.
Physically separate; Socially Connected
The Government and medical advice is reiterating the need for physical separation to ‘flatten the curve’. Now more than ever we need to be socially connected and I encourage you to stay in contact with each other and our staff, and to look after your wellbeing.
Ongoing information support and advice
We will keep reviewing our arrangements as advice changes, but please be reassured that our underlying ethos remains student centred and focused on your success.
The Vice-Chancellor and I recorded a short message which is available via our student webpage.
Our staff and student websites provide regular updates and have links to a wide range of resources and FAQs.
Take care,
Clare