26 March 2020: Due to the escalating COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Canberra will become a virtual campus from midnight on Sunday 29 March until at least the end of Semester One (Saturday 30 May).
All classes will be delivered remotely from Tuesday 14 April, following the scheduled mid-semester break and week-long class-free period.
Semester One will be extended by one week to Saturday 30 May for teaching and assessment to enable students to complete courses in the timeframe originally intended.
“We continue to adapt to the evolving environment, guided by the ACT and federal government advice and our commitment to ensuring our students are able to continue with their studies,” said Belinda Robinson, Vice-Chancellor and President.
A small number of staff will continue to work on campus to support essential and campus-dependent functions and services including student accommodation, the University of Canberra Hospital, our Medical and Counselling Centre, the UC Health Hub, child care centres, the Post Office, the UC Refectory for take away, and some research-related facilities.
Student accommodation remains open with students required and supported to observe all government health, hygiene and physical distancing measures. UC’s Student Centre and Student Services will deliver its services online.
UC’s medical and counselling service will provide online consultations in addition to face-to-face consultations will still be provided where appropriate.
Staff will be supported through the transition to remote delivery through dedicated IT support, maintenance and security, dedicated Employee Engagement hotline, free counselling service, and flexible working arrangements.
Ms Robinson says the University continues to monitor the situation closely and acknowledges the extraordinary efforts of UC staff to make the transition to a virtual campus possible.
“UC is a tight, collegiate and strong community, and together we are up for this challenge,” Ms Robinson said. “I am confident we will emerge on the other side as a better, stronger, more resilient and more innovative university.”