COVID-19 student communication

25 March

Hope you are well and starting to settle into your new home-study routines. We're just checking in to see how you're doing and to give you an update.

Firstly - well done to you all. We've had some great feedback from our teachers who are impressed with the efforts you're making to engage with your studies and adapt to a virtual-campus life. We know this is not easy!

Study online to stay on track

Now is the time to invest in yourself and your future. Our focus right now and our commitment to you, is to help you keep your studies on track.

We know online study is not the same experience as on-campus and as soon as we can get back to normal - we will have a range of offerings and opportunities to help you re-engage with your studies, reconnect with your teachers and peers, and get back to a deeply enriched student experience.

This will include delivering those important learning elements not possible in an online environment (pracs, labs etc) and we are altering our courses and programs to ensure you get those skills as soon as possible. UQ is also working with organisations including professional associations to adjust requirements where applicable.

Access to online study

Transitioning courses online has been a mammoth task and not without its challenges. For those using Zoom, undoubtedly you are aware there have been reliability and access issues since Monday. We understand many universities across Australia have experienced similar problems as we've all become more reliant on Zoom for teaching and learning. We are now working on two fixes to improve the online experience:

• Our internet service providers are increasing network capacity
• Zoom is fixing a bug to allow people to join meetings late.

We expect this work to be completed in the next 24 hours. Please hang in there - we understand it is frustrating and thank you for being so patient while we work through these teething/transition issues.

For updates on the status of Zoom and answers to frequently asked questins (FAQs) please see the Virtual Classroom (Zoom) FAQ. You can also contact IT Support.

New government advice and flow on impacts

The Government's advice last night means life is going to be very different for all of us. From a University perspective, we will continue to deliver courses in our online format for now, but with a specific intent to revert to campus-based learning, fieldwork and placements as soon as we can safely do so.

You can still come to campus to access our high-speed Wi-Fi, providing you practise physical distancing. From tomorrow, you can go to UQLIFEand select Campus Spaces to understand what facilities and libraries remain open.

Library AskUs face-to-face service points will close, but our staff are ready to provide help and information through chat, online, and phone. The Library will also continue to provide the new student laptop loan service. Read about temporary changes to our borrowing rules and detailed information on the digital UQ Library is available on the Library website.

From midnight tonight, there will be fewer staff on campus following the Government's request for people to stay at home, and where possible work from home. While this will not impact your studies directly, it will mean fewer frontline staff working on campus, limited retail outlets, and the UQ Sports Centre will have reduced services.

You can still access your School or Faculty Office, Student Services and Student Centre. We particularly encourage you to get in touch with the Student Services team via student.services@uq.edu.au if you need any support, including counselling, advice or support through isolation.

Financially, we realise this is going to be a very tough period, with many losing their jobs especially casual workers - many of whom are students.

If you haven't already, please look into your eligibility for:

• The Australian Government's COVID support payments
• UQ's Hardship Fund
• UQ's laptop support program available through the Library - if you don't have the technology at home to get online

Staying connected

In the short-term, the Government is likely to continue to implement stricter social distancing measures that will disconnect people from one another and from sources of support, comfort, and wellbeing.

Staying focused on your study is one crucial way you can stay connected - to your teachers, friends, peers and broader University community - during this very unprecedented time. It is also an opportunity to make new connections to support you as you get used to a different way of learning and living with new routines and new priorities.

In the coming weeks, we will be launching several online community initiatives to build new social connections and to help you to strengthen your own online networks. You can find out more by exploring the information here.

Future communication

We are in the process of planning Semester 2 and considering what adjustments we need to make to accommodate the changes to Semester 1. We hope to be in a position to provide more information about this soon. From next week I will provide you with a weekly update, and of course, your teachers and other School and Faculty staff will continue to communicate with you directly.

Stay safe and well.

Joanne

 Professor Joanne Wright
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic)

24 March

DVCA

I hope you are safe and well.

I would like to remind you that Semester 1 learning is now online for all students, even if you are overseas.

If you have previously deferred or interrupted your studies, and would now like to commence or continue your studies with us in Semester 1, you will need to enrol in your courses before 11.59pm (AEST) Wednesday 25 March 2020. Please consider carefully whether you have been engaged with the course learning activities before adding courses.

How can I enrol in my courses for Semester 1?

We have more than 99 per cent of our courses available online. Please follow the steps below to enrol via mySI-net:

1. Log in to my.UQ Dashboard and select 'mySI-net' from the side menu.
2. From the mySI-net home page:
   1. Go to 'Enrolments' > 'Enrolment Summary' > 'Add Course'.
   2. Type in a course code and check details (campus, location, semester).
   3. Go to 'Add Course'.
3. Repeat these steps to enrol in your other courses.

We understand you may not be able to take on a full-time study load, and you may want to opt for a part-time study load instead. This will not change your student visa status but it may extend the time that it takes to complete your degree. If you do require additional time to complete your studies (beyond your visa expiry), you will need to apply for a new student visa.

There is a very small number of courses that you cannot enrol in via mySI-net.  Contact Student Services student.services@uq.edu.au or +61 (07) 3365 1704 for assistance with these courses.

If you have trouble accessing your username and password to log into UQ systems, please contact IT services.

Can I access online content from China?

Course content can be accessed via your course Blackboard. For our students in China, UQ has worked with a company based in China to boost your access through the UQ VPN.  Click here to read the steps to install the Chinese VPN to enable you to access the course content on Blackboard.

Our online readiness checklist for students is available here.

Will this online study be recognised by the Chinese Government?

UQ has obtained confirmation from Chinese Service Centre for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE) officials that qualifications would be recognized for online studies provided students are currently enrolled at UQ and their studies have been disrupted by COVID-19. Students are advised to maintain records of their communication with UQ to provide to the CSCSE that verifies that they have indeed been impacted by the COVID-19 situation.

How will this impact assessments, exams and key academic dates?

The University Calendar has been updated to reflect the new dates.  There will be no requirement to attend campus for assessments or exams in Semester 1.

If you have missed assessments or exams your Course Coordinator will work with you to make up course work and reschedule key activities.

If I re-enrol in a course, will I still have a chance to drop the course or interrupt my study before Census Date of 31 March 2020?

If you re-enrol in your courses before 11.59pm on Wednesday 25th March, you will have 6 days to try your course online.  You are able to drop your courses without financial penalty until 31 March.  The last date for withdrawal without academic penalty will be two days after the end of the exam period however it is important to note fees will be payable for courses accessed beyond 31 March.

When will the fees be due?

Fees are due to be paid by 31 March.  If this causes you financial difficulty, please contact the Fees office who will advise you further - fees@uq.edu.au.

After I enrol in the course, what should I do?

You should be able to see your enrolment instantly but if you have any difficulties, please get in touch with Student Services who will work to resolve your issue. The lecture timetable will be available immediately and the Faculty or School will be in touch with you to advise you of your other timetabled activities, including group work where applicable.  Allocations can been viewed via My Timetable on my.UQ.

Will there be an opportunity to take courses later in the year?

The situation with COVID-19 is changing rapidly and it is not possible to give absolute certainty on the academic calendar for 2020.  At this stage, we believe that Semester 2 will not commence until August 2020. We will endeavour to keep you updated as the situation changes.

Our Student Services team are working extended hours and aim to respond to students as quickly as possible. If you have any questions or need support, contact the team on student.services@uq.edu.au or +61 (07) 3365 1704.

Best wishes,

Joanne

Professor Joanne Wright
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic)

20 March

All students

DVCA

Thank you for your patience this week while we fast-track preparations for online delivery.  As you would be aware, during the week the Australian Government upgraded its travel ban to Level 4 prohibiting all international travel for Australians and banning all foreign nationals from entering Australia due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Government has also strengthened its health response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including introducing further restrictions to indoor gatherings. Unfortunately, these measures will make it incredibly difficult to continue with many of our face-to-face teaching activities and some aspects of campus life.

This Semester is going to be different for all of us - but we are doing everything we can to make sure you keep progressing with your study and make the most of this challenging situation.

Teaching activities

We have made the difficult and complex decision to move all teaching activities online for Semester 1 from Monday 23 March 2020. Please be assured, we want to give you as much certainty as currently possible so that you can continue your studies even if that means adjustment to teaching arrangements and term dates.

• What will go online: All learning experiences - lectures, seminars, tutorials, labs and practicals - will be available online where possible. Some essential knowledge and skills cannot be learnt online, and your programs will be adjusted to ensure you gain these prior to graduation. Student support services will also be available online. Please regularly check your course Blackboard sites and your UQ email for changes.
• Your timetable: Your courses will run as previously scheduled unless advised by your Course Coordinator.
• What this means for assessment: Course Coordinators are reviewing assessment. For courses that are delivered fully online, there will be no requirement to attend campus for assessment in Semester 1. Please check your course Blackboard site for details. Your Electronic Course Profile (ECP) will be revised and your Course Coordinator will let you know when this is available.
• What this means for the academic calendar: With the pause in teaching this week, additional time for teaching and learning activities has been scheduled at the end of the semester.  This will result in a change to examinations and postponing graduation ceremonies. Students who meet their program requirements will still have their degrees conferred after the finalisation of Semester 1. The University Calendar has been updated to reflect the new dates.
• How to get ready:  Our online readiness checklist for students is available here.

Adding courses

• Students who may have dropped their courses and deferred or interrupted their studies, regardless of their geographical location, now have an opportunity to reinstate enrolment by midnight [AEST] on Wednesday 25 March 2020.
• Courses can be added via mySI-net to continue your studies online where available.
• Study abroad and incoming exchange students may require additional information before making a decision.

If you have trouble accessing your username and password to log into UQ systems, please contact IT services.

Campus activities

While all teaching will be moved online, our campuses will remain open to facilitate a range of activities that can still occur within the boundaries of the new social distancing and gatherings guidelines.

• What facilities will be open: All buildings will have standard access, retail outlets will remain open, Student Services and the Student Centre will be available.
• Library: All libraries will remain open and offer a wide variety of resources and training to help you continue your study. You can also access training online and our librarians are offering consultations via Zoom.
• On-campus social, health and wellbeing: You can enjoy on-campus social activities, access important services such as mental health support and utilise our informal learning spaces to access our high-speed WIFI. The Student Centre, UQ Health, UQ Sport, and the UQ Student Union will all remain open.

All organised activities on campus will be reconfigured to comply with social distancing guidelines. We will be relying on you to play your part in this and please, if you need to self-isolate, you must do so. If you are still unsure as to what self-isolation means and how to put it into practice, please refer to Government advice.

Online student support, wellbeing and social opportunities

In addition to campus-based activities and support, there are a range of resources for students to access online including:

• Virtual social events
• Virtual volunteering and mentoring
• Virtual Village  
• Student advice
• Employability and careers advice
• Counselling and Mental Health support
• Disability support 
• UQ Health

Extraordinary times, extraordinary people

Our academics and professional staff are doing everything possible to continue to deliver you a world-class education and our researchers are working around the clock to develop a vaccine. It is during these very uncertain times that I am reminded of why I joined UQ in the first place and perhaps why you chose to study with us. We are home to many of the best and brightest minds in the world working on challenges of global significance.

Our multi-award winning teachers whose passion, knowledge and dedication are responsible for ensuring you, the next generation of leaders and pioneers, can succeed in this very uncertain world.

I wish you all the best for your studies this semester and look forward to engaging with you in our new online world.

Joanne

Professor Joanne Wright
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic)

18 March

Travel Update

All students

DVCA

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade issued advice on 18 March 2020 recommending that all Australians overseas who wish to return home should do so as soon as possible. The Australian travel alert level worldwide is now the highest level of 4 – Do Not Travel Overseas.

In light of this announcement, and in line with our previous communications, we strongly recommend you consider returning to Australia or your home country, whichever is safer, as soon as possible.

With the rapid spread of COVID-19 and global government actions to contain the spread, factors to consider include:

• Airlines globally significantly reducing capacity and cancelling services until further notice
• Lack of or limited access to medical care due to COVID-19
• Risk of not complying with country visa requirements (overstay etc.)
• Ongoing financial costs related to long term overseas stay

Under these circumstances, the Australian government and the University’s ability to assist travellers overseas is now severely limited.

INSURANCE:

Cover for early return home is likely to be available for travel arrangements approved by UQ where the purpose for your travel no longer exists. Please refer to the UQ Travel FAQs for more information.

All claims will be assessed by UQ's Travel Insurer on a case by case basis according to policy terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions.

If you need to make an insurance claim, you can follow the instructions online or contact UQ Insurance via insurance@uq.edu.au. More detailed instructions are also included in the UQ Travel FAQs.

YOUR ACTIONS:

Please respond to this email and confirm your decision:

1. Will you return to Australia or other home country?
2. If you choose to return to Australia (or your home country), when will you travel? This will help us support your arrival in Australia if required.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kind regards

Joanne

Professor Joanne Wright
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic)

15 March

All students

I apologise for the lateness of this notification. You are likely to have heard the new measures announced by the Government this afternoon to slow the speed of community transmission of COVID-19 and, most importantly, protect those most vulnerable in our community.

In response to this, I have made the decision to pause all coursework teaching at the University, including lectures and tutorials in person and online, at the University from Monday 16 March for one week only. Teaching will resume on Monday 23 March.

We are using the week to accelerate a number of activities to facilitate students completing their studies this academic year. The work underway aims to:

• Ensure the vast majority of lectures and tutorials are available online from Monday 23 March
• Amend course delivery to meet the new social distancing guidelines
• Assess if practicals and lab sessions need to be amended or rescheduled
• Make adjustments to the academic calendar, which may include rescheduling graduation ceremonies and assessments

Students studying in an external mode program, HDR students and students on placement or internships should not be impacted by this pause.

I want to be clear, our campuses remain open. Our facilities, including libraries, study spaces and eating areas, are all operating as normal and our staff will be working.

The potential rescheduling of July graduation ceremonies will allow us to extend the semester, if required, for a few weeks. This buffer will help students complete their course requirements to UQ standards should the unprecedented  global COVID-19 situation further disrupt our normal program delivery.

This is a big call, and one I have not taken lightly. We offer more than 300 programs and around 3300 courses, and the scale and complexity of achieving these changes are significant.

With the confirmation this afternoon from Queensland Health that another student has been confirmed with COVID-19, I encourage you to adhere to the Government guidelines on social distancing and healthy hygiene habits. We understand Queensland Health are commencing contact tracing.

I believe the decision to pause teaching for one week will ensure our students continue to receive a world-class education from Australia’s best teachers and secure your academic success this year.

Regards
Peter

Professor Peter Høj AC
MSc, PhD DUniv mult., FNAI, FTSE
Vice-Chancellor and President

13 March

Global Experiences Manager

[Note: similar emails were sent to students on exhange in Europe, USA and other regions]

I wanted to reach out and see how you are doing right now on your exchange?  Please let me know how you are doing and if you have any questions regarding your exchange in the impact of COVID-19.

We understand most universities in Canada are still offering face-to-face course delivery, and are preparing for online delivery should the need arise.

With the number of new COVID-19 cases growing every day and the situation constantly evolving, we understand that this is a very stressful and anxious time for you. We appreciate that you may be concerned about how changes to travel advices/bans may impact your participation in your current exchange program and in particular whether this will affect classes at your host university.

PLEASE STAY INFORMED

International SOS provide both routine and emergency assistance when UQ's people are travelling.

1. If needed, please contact International SOS (ISOS) for updates and advice - Phone: +61 2 9372 2468 (reverse charge available) Email: sydney@internationalsos.com. You will need to provide UQ's Membership Number 12AYCA778031.If your travel plans change, please ensure to update the My Trips section of ISOS accordingly.
2. Register for Smartraveller alerts for the latest information and advice.

With this ever changing situation it is difficult to provide you with definitive information as to your options moving forward as this will mostly depend on what your host university is able to offer and the amount of risk that you are comfortable with.

OPTION 1: Continue study at host university for semester 1, 2020 - host university continues to offer face-to-face course delivery

1. If your host university is still opperating business as usual, then continuing with your exchange as planned is okay. It is also best to consider following the advice of your host university with regards to your study options.

OPTION 2: Continue study at host university for semester 1, 2020 - host university offering all courses online

1. If your host university is offering you the possibility to continue your studies through online methods (this includes the ability to complete ALL assessment including the final assessment), please consider following the advice of your host university with regards to your study options.
2. If you decide to stay in your host country and study online, you should still be able to gain credit for the courses you have successfully completed (in line with the study plan that was approved by your UQ Faculty).
3. With regards to final assessments, you will need to provide UQ with more information if your host university decides to defer or cancel these assessments i.e. will they allow you to take off-campus exams at an allocated exam centre in your host country or will you be required to organize exams at St Lucia upon your return. It is important that you seek guidance from UQ upon receipt of this information.
4. Please keep in mind that you must be provided with an official transcript from the host university in order to receive credit for your UQ units.

OPTION 3: Return to study at UQ for semester 1, 2020 - host university closes without offering online options or you wish to return to Australia

1. If this is the case for you, we strongly recommend that you return to Australia.
2. Please contact your airline/travel agent to see if changes can be made to your travel plans.
3. The deadline for enrolling in courses at UQ for semester 1, 2020 has been extended to March 23. If you decide to return to UQ, you would need to be back in Australia and be able to commence classes by this date, taking into consideration any possible quarantine time that may be required.
4. Our course checker, available through my.UQ (select Travel Affected Students), will give you the latest on-campus commencement date for your course. Note that for some courses you would be expected to start engaging with the course materials on blackboard before 23 March. If you feel this is an option relevant to your situation, please reach out to your UQ Faculty as soon as possible.

If you do not believe you will be able to commence classes at UQ by March 23, or you wish to stay in your host country, or you decide to return at a later date, please be aware that you will not be able to enrol into classes for semester 1 at UQ after 23 March 2020. If your classes are cancelled at your host after this date and you are not able to complete your semester abroad, this will likely mean you will lose this semester of study.

UQ INSURANCE

What happens if my reason for undertaking UQ approved travel is cancelled due to COVID-19 (host university closes without offering alternative study options) - will the costs of cancellation be covered by UQ Travel Insurance?
All claims will be assessed by UQ's Travel Insurer on a case by case basis according to policy terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions. However if the purpose for travel no longer exists (e.g. an exchange program is cancelled) and this is out of your control, then cover is likely to be available for the reasonable and necessary costs of cancellation.
Cover for cancellation may also depend on the date of travel and the date on which you booked and change your travel arrangements. Refer to other FAQ responses.
If you are a student currently on exchange, and your exchange program is still being offered online, then it is unlikely that cover will be available for the costs of returning to Australia early.

If you need to make an insurance claim, you can follow the instructions online or contact UQ Insurance (insurance@uq.edu.au or 07 3365 3075).

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

If you are feeling overwhelmed and/or stressed we recommend the following resources:

• Discuss the counselling support services provided by your host university/program
• Contact International SOS for access to Mental Health Professionals
• Book a one-on-one remote counselling session with a UQ counsellor

If you are still unsure of your options or require any additional support, please reach out to the Global Experiences Team at uqabroad@uq.edu.au.

Kind regards

Clare Scoble
Global Experiences Adviser (Americas, Scandinavia, Ireland, South Africa, New Zealand)

11 March

All students

DVCA

Following on from the Vice Chancellor's email of 9 March, I wanted to reach out to you to provide an update on how we will continue to support you in your studies.

Perhaps the best way to do this is to directly address the key questions we are receiving from you - acknowledging that our current responses to these queries may change as Government and health advice is reviewed and updated.

Is the University looking to close?
At the moment UQ remains open and operational and will continue to do so unless it receives specific instructions from the Government to close. The current advice from medical authorities is that people who are not impacted by travel or isolation requirements should go about their normal business.

UQ, like other higher education institutions, must follow the advice of the state and federal Governments and their medical advisors. They are in the best position to advise, initiate and coordinate public health crisis response plans should they be required.

If the university does temporarily close in the future, what will happen with my study?
Please be assured that we are continuing to prepare for various scenarios. We are working on alternative study and assessment arrangements that maintain the academic integrity of our programs and courses while providing you with continuity of study should a temporary closure be necessary.

UQ offers more than 300 programs and around 3300 courses. Moving all courses into a fully online learning mode is not possible due to the sheer scale, complexity, and timeframes involved. For some courses, there are core elements that cannot be delivered online (such as labs and pracs).

However, for most courses you will be able to use lecture recordings and have access to other course materials such as lecture notes and presentations via Learn.UQ (Blackboard). This will facilitate remote study for a period of time. We are currently making provision for some learning activities via Zoom as well as encouraging teachers to virtually connect with you through the discussion board. We are asking our staff to consider how to make up labs and pracs that may be suspended due to a required closure of the University.

I don't want to go to campus as I am worried about catching the virus. What can I do?
There are a lot of people feeling anxious about COVID-19 and what catching the virus might mean for their specific circumstances - and that is absolutely understandable. There is a risk associated with being in any public space right now - whether that is at work, on public transport, at the shops, or at uni.

We realise that your preference would have been to complete the semester as normal however, we know some of you are considering deferring your studies due to personal medical conditions or your role as a carer for a vulnerable person. If you wish to withdraw from your courses for Semester 1, you can do so without academic or financial penalty up until 31 March 2020. Please follow the instructions here.

This is an unprecedented situation for all of us, so please continue to be kind to each other. Look after yourself and your loved ones.

We will keep you up to date as things evolve. Please continue to check your UQ student email regularly and if you have any questions, you can get in touch with our Student Services Team on student.services@uq.edu.au or +61 (07) 3365 1704

Regards,
Joanne

Professor Joanne Wright
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic)

10 March

COVID-19 Update

All students

Vice-Chancellor

This afternoon UQ was advised by Queensland Health that an Australian student from UQ has been confirmed with COVID-19 after returning from Europe. The student was on the St Lucia campus last Thursday 5 and Friday 6 March and was unknowingly infectious at the time.

In line with the rapid spread in the global community and thousands of people being tested nationwide, we are also starting to see increased numbers of our community being tested and being required to isolate. We are also likely to see more people diagnosed with the virus in the coming weeks.

The health and wellbeing of the UQ community is our priority, and the University will continue to follow the directions of Government, taking all necessary actions to minimise the risks.

As family, friends and colleagues will be impacted, I thought it would be helpful to share the process we will follow as the situation evolves.

If you have been diagnosed, or contacted by Queensland Health and asked to self isolate, please contact Student Services +61 (07) 3365 1704 or toll free within Australia: 1800 512 391.

Our Student Services team are well-placed to provide support and advice, and put in place all necessary arrangements.

Students and staff who may have been in close contact with a confirmed case will be contacted directly by Queensland Health. Close contact is defined as face-to-face contact for a period over 15 minutes, or those who have shared an enclosed space for more than two hours.

Queensland Health will usually require potential contacts to complete an online survey to help them assess potential exposure. If necessary, people will be contacted and advised of what further actions are required.

We are mindful that it can be a stressful time for students and staff when they are impacted. To protect their wellbeing and privacy it won't be appropriate for the University to provide particulars of every case. However, we are very fortunate in Queensland to have a robust healthcare system that is set-up to respond to the COVID-19 situation.

I would encourage everyone to trust Queensland Health's tried and tested contact tracing method and continue to practice healthy hygiene habits.

Regards
Peter

Professor Peter Høj AC
MSc, PhD DUniv mult., FNAI, FTSE
Vice-Chancellor and President

9 March

All students

DVCA

You will no doubt be aware that the Federal Government has extended travel restrictions to Australia until at least Saturday 14 March 2020.

I know this is an anxious time for many students and staff. While authorities are preparing to address increased cases of COVID-19, the current advice from the Queensland Chief Health Officer, Dr Jeanette Young, is that people in Queensland who are not impacted by travel or isolation requirements should "go about their normal business".

UQ continues to follow Government advice and is operating as usual. However, we are observing what is happening across the globe and unfortunately, we think it may only be a matter of time before there are increased numbers in our UQ community being required to isolate and, in some instances, being diagnosed with the virus.

Our UQ Incident Management Group is monitoring developments closely and multiple programs of work are underway to ensure UQ can respond appropriately and effectively.

Supporting our students

• We know that the spread of COVID-19 is a dynamic situation, and we are working towards different ways that we can deliver information, learning opportunities, and assessments (including exams). We will keep you updated with any developments and you should refer to your Electronic Course Profiles, student emails and Blackboard regularly.
• We extended the date to commence study on campus until 23 March for most courses. We will continue to welcome international students who have met the Australian Government travel restrictions over the coming weeks.
• Our libraries, lectures and tutorials are all open and running.
• In the event of individual illness or the need to self-isolate or restrictions on campus, considerations include:
  • online / Zoom delivery of lectures and tutorials where possible
  • remote access to core teaching and student support including library, counselling, advice and administration services
  • additional course offerings in Semester 2 and Summer Semester
  • adjustments to assessment
  • students affected by COVID-19 and requiring an extension on medical grounds, will be able to sign a statement of circumstances, rather than obtaining a medical certificate.
• We are increasing counselling support and advice through Student Services and will increase the provision for financial hardship assistance. More information about hardship assistance can be found here. This includes a dedicated support team for student enquiries relating to COVID-19, available between 8am - 7pm, Monday - Friday and 10am-6pm, Saturday - Sunday via phone + 61(07) 3365 1704 or 1800 512 391 (toll free) or email student.services@uq.edu.au

Health and safety in the UQ community

• Targeted cleaning in public and shared spaces, with a focus on hard surfaces
• Additional hand sanitiser units / alcohol wipes in high-traffic areas
• Communication campaigns to raise awareness of healthy hygiene habits
• Increased capacity of healthcare staff and additional health assessment spaces on campuses
• The UQ Health team and your local GP can give guidance if you feel unwell. The symptoms of COVID-19 include (but are not limited to):
  • fever
  • flu-like symptoms such as coughing, sore throat and fatigue
  • shortness of breath.

Our FAQ web page is updated regularly with information and advice and we will use your student email as our main method of communication, so please ensure that you check this regularly.

This video was produced by our student community to raise awareness of health and hygiene and most importantly, how to live our UQ values by supporting our community and showing mutual respect in how we behave, the actions we take and the words we use.

I wish you well in the next few weeks of Semester 1 and if you have any questions, please contact Student Services.

Best wishes,
Joanne

Professor Joanne Wright
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic)

6 March

Deferring your studies

New / commencing impacted students registered

DVCA

The Australian Government has announced an extension to the current travel bans for China by a further week (next review scheduled for March 14).

The Government’s decision to extend the travel restrictions now means that unfortunately the majority of you will not be able to join us for Semester 1 2020.

This has not been the start to your education experience with UQ that we had wanted. We will continue to support you through the next steps and look forward to welcoming you when you can join us on campus.

Steps you need to action

Defer your studies to Semester 2:

• Drop your courses for Semester 1 as soon as possible but no later than 31 March 2020
• Email iascompliance@uq.edu.au to request a deferral. You will need to do this by 31 March 2020, and please remember to include your student number
• Enrol in Semester 2 courses.  We have increased the number of courses available in Semester 2. Go to our course checker, through my.UQ (select Travel Affected Students), to see available courses.

To help you prepare for your academic success at UQ, you are able to register for the Student Success Program. This will be delivered exclusively for students impacted by the travel ban. This program will commence on 1 June 2020 and does not incur any additional tuition fees. Learn more about the Program and register here.

You may choose not to join this Program and arrive in Brisbane ready for the Semester 2 Orientation Week commencing 20^th July 2020.

For students who are in transit

If you are currently in transit to Australia please follow these important steps:

1. Book your free airport pick up service
2. Register for our ‘weekend welcome activities’ for undergraduates and postgraduates
3. If you are feeling unwell once you arrive in Australia, contact a doctor or UQ Health Care immediately.

Other questions?

Our FAQ page contains additional information that you might find helpful, or you can contact our Student Services teams on +61 7 3365 1704 or student.services@uq.edu.au. The latest Australian Government advice can be found here.

Kind regards

Professor Joanne Wright
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic)

6 Mar

Returning impacted students registered

DVCA

The Australian Government announced today that it has extended the current travel bans for mainland China by a further week (next review scheduled for March 14). The Government’s decision to extend the travel restrictions now means that unfortunately the majority of you will not be able to join us for Semester 1 2020.

We know this is very disappointing news and it is not the start to the academic year you wanted.

Steps you need to action

• Drop your courses for Semester 1 as soon as possible but no later than 31 March 2020
• Complete an International Student Withdrawal or Interruption of Studies form by 31 March 2020, and please remember to include your student number
• Enrol in Semester 2 courses.  We have increased the number of courses available in Semester 2. Go to our course checker, through my.UQ (select Travel Affected Students), to see available courses.

To help enhance your employment prospects, you are able to register for the Student Success Program. This will be delivered exclusively for students impacted by the travel ban. This program will commence on 1 June 2020 and does not incur any additional tuition fees. Learn more about the Program and register here.

You may choose not to join this program and arrive in Brisbane ready for the start of classes on 27^th July 2020.

We will continue to support you through the next steps and look forward to welcoming you back on campus.  Our staff are available to help you with any enquiries you have around the interruption process and developing an alternative study plan.  Some of the things we are doing to assist include scheduling additional courses in the second half of the year and making individual adjustments to study plans, where we can.

For students who are in transit

If you are currently in transit to Australia please follow these important steps:

1. Book your free airport pick up service
2. Register for our ‘weekend welcome activities’ for undergraduates and postgraduates
3. If you are feeling unwell once you arrive in Australia, contact a doctor or UQ Health Care immediately.

Other questions?

Our FAQ page contains additional information that you might find helpful, or you can contact our Student Services teams on +61 7 3365 1704 or student.services@uq.edu.au. The latest Australian Government advice can be found here.

Kind regards

Professor Joanne Wright
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic)

6 March

As you will be aware, a large number of countries around the world have confirmed new cases of COVID-19 since the initial outbreak in Wuhan, China. As the situation is still evolving, and you have been planning your exchange for a while now, we fully understand that this is an anxious time for you.

We understand that you may be concerned about how changes to travel advice may impact your participation on your upcoming exchange program. In order to support you to the best of our ability, we have provided advice and options currently available to you below:

Context:

• Decision making: The University of Queensland cannot stop you from travelling to, or continuing to remain in, your exchange program location, although your host university may be impacted directly - including potentially ceasing teaching and learning activities. We appreciate that this is a difficult decision you have to make, but ultimately it is your decision as to whether you decide to go ahead/continue with your travel plans, and will depend on your own circumstances and how much risk you are prepared to take (depending on your health, financial, family circumstances etc.).

·       Information: It is critical that you stay informed at all times, and we suggest that you keep in regular contact with your host university to understand the situation and what support is available. We also recommend that you register with Smartraveller to ensure you understand the impact that changes in travel advice might have on your travel and/or return to Australia.

• Insurance: Please note that, the University's travel insurer informed UQ that COVID-19 is considered a foreseen circumstance for any new travel arrangements made after 4pm (AEDT) on 2 March 2020. This means that UQ's travel insurance policy may not respond to claims relating to or resulting from COVID-19 for any travel booked after 4pm (AEDT) on 2 March 2020.

- Frequently asked questions regarding insurance and travel can be found at https://travel.uq.edu.au/covid-19-coronavirus-update-information-uq-travellers

Actions:

• If you decide to withdraw from the exchange program, please contact the Global Experiences team uqabroad@uq.edu.au to let us know by Friday 13 March 2020 so that we can support you through process of returning to study at UQ for Semester 1, 2020.
• If you have already started your exchange program and wish to return to Australia we suggest you aim to return before 23 March 2020. This will enable you to enrol in Semester 1, 2020 with late commencement dates as long as you are on campus by 23 March 2020. Our course checker, available through my.UQ (select Travel Affected Students), will give you the latest on-campus commencement date for your course. You must ensure you are on-campus to commence classes in accordance with these dates.
• If you have already started your exchange and wish to continue, your enrolment in the EXCH codes will remain, but please register with Smartraveller and if you require assistance or have questions, please contact International SOS (ISOS) for the latest updates and information.
  
  ISOS phone: +61 2 9372 2468
  Quote UQ membership number 12AYCA778031

If you are unsure of how to proceed, or require any additional support at any time, please feel free to contact the Global Experiences team via email uqabroad@uq.edu.au, or by phone on +61 7 3365 2852, with your concerns or further questions.

Kind regards,
Dino

Dr Dino Willox
BA(hons) MA PhD PFHEA
Director, Student Employability

4 March

[Note: similar messages were sent to students scheduled for exchange in Japan and Italy]

As you are probably aware, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Korea has grown at an alarming rate mainly near the city of Daegu.

The University strongly encourages you to reconsider travelling to Korea or consider returning to Australia if you are already there. With no changes in the directive by the Federal Government and no official cancellation of your program by host institutions at this point in time, it remains your decision as to whether you stay in Australia and withdraw from your exchange program or stay in Korea. At this stage and until the Federal Government changes the travel advice, your University-organised Travel Insurance will not cover the cost associated with changing your return airfare. Contact us if you do not have personal travel insurance or have significant financial difficulties.

If you decide to withdraw from the exchange program or return to Australia before 23 March, you are likely to be able to resume your studies with late commencement dates available for a wide range of courses. Our course checker, available through my.UQ  (select Travel Affected Students), will give you the latest on-campus commencement date for your course (9 or 23 March). You must ensure you are on-campus to commence classes in accordance with these dates. Additionally, should you wish to undertake a further Global Experience in Semester 2, 2020 or later, please contact us to discuss your options.

If you decide to stay, register with Smartraveller alerts for the latest information and advice and keep in regular contact with your host university for specific on-the-ground advice and support. Please be aware that travel advice may change in due course and in the event that our recommendation becomes a directive to return to Australia, you may not be able to join your course at a later point in the semester.

Should you require assistance or have questions, please contact International SOS(ISOS) for the latest updates and information.

• ISOS phone: +61 2 9372 2468
• Quote UQ membership number 12AYCA778031

Please contact uqabroad@uq.edu.au as soon as possible with your preferred option.

Best wishes,

Professor Joanne Wright
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic)

28 Feb

Study options based on latest Australian Government restrictions

New / commencing impacted students registered

DVCA

The Australian Government's decision to extend the travel restrictions is no doubt disappointing news.

We understand some students have plans to spend 14 days in another country before arriving in Australia. If this is the case, please go to the 'What if I can arrive on campus for Semester 1 courses?' section below.

If you are still in mainland China and do not have plans to spend 14 days in another country before arriving in Australia, it is unlikely that you will be able to join us for Semester 1.

What are my options to study at UQ?

1. Go to our course checker, available through my.UQ (select Travel Affected Students). This will provide you with the latest on-campus commencement date for your courses and advise if your courses are available in Semester 2.
2. If your courses are not available in Semester 2, please contact Student Services (+61 7 3365 1704 or student.services@uq.edu.au) for further advice.
3. To defer to Semester 2:

• Drop your courses for Semester 1 as soon as possible but no later than 31 March 2020
• Email iascompliance@uq.edu.au to request a deferral. You will need to do this by 31 March 2020, and please remember to include your student number
• Enrol in Semester 2 courses.

What additional support is UQ providing?

UQ will deliver a seven-week academically focused Student Success Program for students impacted by the travel ban. This program will commence on 1 June 2020, with no fee, for those interested.

The program will include:

• Academic preparation and master classes to set you up for success:
  • English language programs to build your vocabulary, as well as speaking and listening skills
  • Essay writing classes to improve your course-specific writing skills
  • Group work preparation workshops to help you make the most of your group work assignments
  • Sample assessment tasks related to your courses with feedback and tutorials to help improve performance in your courses.
• Wellbeing and social activities to welcome you to UQ and assist you to settle into campus life.
• Opportunities to enhance your employability:
  • Professional skills workshops that will help your demonstrate your value to employers
  • Entrepreneurial activities to develop an innovation mindset to find creative solutions to problems
  • Volunteering opportunities to develop your skills, capabilities, and experiences.
  • Engagement with the UQ Employability Award.

You will be invited to register for this program once your deferral to Semester 2 has been processed.

What happens with my deposit / fees if I defer to Semester 2?

For students unable to join us for Semester 1 due to the restrictions:

• Deposits / fees paid will be transferred to subsequent semesters
• There will be no administrative fees relating to deferring your study
• If you have any questions about your deposit or fees, please contact student.services@uq.edu.au.

The last date to withdraw without financial liability is Census Day (31 March 2020).

What if I can arrive on campus for Semester 1 courses?

We understand that you may have already started your travels to Australia, or are planning to join us from another country after spending 14 days outside of mainland China. It may still be possible for you to join us for courses with a late on-campus commencement date for Semester 1.

Our course checker, available through my.UQ (selectTravel Affected Students) will give you the latest on-campus commencement date for your course (9 or 23 March 2020). You must ensure you are on campus to commence classes in accordance with these dates. Prior to these dates, course content will be available via Blackboard for most courses to help you get started.

If you are arriving before 23 March, you can book your free airport pick-up here. We look forward to seeing you at our 'weekend welcome' activities that will help you transition to university life. RSVP for postgraduate and undergraduate.

Please continue to update our register with your latest information. This will help us to understand your specific circumstances and any support you may need.

Other questions?

Our FAQ page contains additional information that you might find helpful, or you can contact our Student Services teams on +61 7 3365 1704 or student.services@uq.edu.au. The latest Australian Government advice can be found here.

Thank you for being so patient while we work through options for you to commence your study on campus.

Kind regards

Professor Joanne Wright
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic)

28 Feb

Study options based on latest Australian Government restrictions

Returning impacted students registered

DVCA

The Australian Government's decision to extend the travel restrictions is no doubt disappointing news.

We understand some students have plans to spend 14 days in another country before arriving in Australia. If this is the case, please go to the 'What if I can arrive on campus for Semester 1 courses?' section below.

If you are still in mainland China and do not have plans to spend 14 days in another country before arriving in Australia, it is unlikely that you will be able to join us for Semester 1.

What are my options to study at UQ?

1. Go to our course checker, available through my.UQ (select Travel Affected Students). This will provide you with the latest on-campus commencement date for your courses and advise if your courses are available in Semester 2.
2. If your courses are not available in Semester 2, please contact Student Services (+61 7 3365 1704 or student.services@uq.edu.au) for further advice.
3. To interrupt your studies until Semester 2:
   • Drop your courses for Semester 1 as soon as possible but, no later than 31 March 2020
   • Complete an International Student Withdrawal or Interruption of Studies form by 31 March 2020, and please remember to include your student number
   • Enrol in Semester 2 courses.

What additional support is UQ providing?

UQ will deliver a seven-week employability focused Student Success Program exclusively for returning UQ students impacted by the travel ban. This program will commence on 1 June 2020, with no fee, for those interested.

This program will provide you with opportunities to enhance your employability, including:

• Internships and work experience opportunities
• Personalised employment reference
• Volunteering opportunities to develop your skills, capabilities, and experiences
• Professional skills workshops that will help you demonstrate your value to employers
• Entrepreneurial activities to develop an innovation mindset to find creative solutions to problems
• Engagement with the UQ Employability Award.

You will be invited to register for this program once your International Student Withdrawal or Interruption of Studies request has been processed.

What happens with my deposit / fees if I interrupt my studies to Semester 2?

For students unable to join us for Semester 1 due to the restrictions:

• Deposits / fees paid will be transferred to subsequent semesters
• There will be no administrative fees relating to deferring your study
• If you have any questions about your deposit or fees, please contact student.services@uq.edu.au.

The last date to withdraw without financial liability is Census Day (31 March 2020).

What if I can arrive on campus for Semester 1 courses?

We understand that you may have already started your travels to Australia, or are planning to join us from another country after spending 14 days outside of mainland China. It may still be possible for you to join us for courses with a late on-campus commencement date for Semester 1.

Our course checker, available through my.UQ (select Travel Affected Students), will give you the latest on-campus commencement date for your course (9 or 23 March 2020). You must ensure you are on campus to commence classes in accordance with these dates. Prior to these dates, course content will be available via Blackboard for most courses to help you get started.

If you are arriving before 23 March, you can book your free airport pick-up here. We look forward to seeing you at our 'weekend welcome' activities that will help you transition back into university life. RSVP for postgraduate and undergraduate.

Please continue to update our register with your latest information. This will help us to understand your specific circumstances and any support you may need.

Other questions?

Our FAQ page contains additional information that you might find helpful, or you can contact our Student Services teams on +61 7 3365 1704 or student.services@uq.edu.au. The latest Australian Government advice can be found here.

Thank you for being so patient while we work through options for you to continue your study.

Kind regards

Professor Joanne Wright
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic)

21 Feb

COVID-19 – Australian Government extends restrictions

Impacted students

DVCA

4 February

I hope that you are safe and well wherever you are in the world.

You have no doubt heard about the developing health concerns in China and the spread of the Coronavirus. Based on Australian Government travel warnings and information provided by health authorities, the University of Queensland has made a decision to cancel all Global Experiences to China in Summer 2020 and Semester 1, 2020.

At this point in time, no other travel restrictions are in place for UQ's Global Experience students, so you are free to continue with your Global Experience if you wish.

You are, of course, free to return to Australia before the scheduled end date of your Global Experience, or to not go at all.

If you decide to go ahead with your Global Experience:

• You must register your travel with International SOS and provide your correct contact details while travelling (email and mobile phone contact).
• You should review the Australian Government's Smart Traveller website for country specific information prior to travel and comply with any additional entry requirements.
• Make sure to allow for travel disruptions/delays at airports worldwide due to additional screening measures.
• Ensure you remain informed while travelling and monitor International SOS updates, the Smart Traveller website and relevant airline websites

If you choose to withdraw from your Global Experience, please let us know at uqabroad@uq.edu.au and also update your My Trips details in ISOS.

Please be aware that if there is no travel warning/restriction in place for your destination, your Insurance provider may not cover any out of pocket expenses related to you withdrawing from your Global Experience, as it may be viewed as 'disinclination to travel'.

If you have any questions, please let us know.

Kind regards,

Global Experience Team

UQ Student Employability Centre

13 Feb

Course checker

Impacted students registered and China based students

DVCA

7 Feb

Options for students impacted by coronavirus travel restrictors – Semester 1

Impacted students registered

DVCA

Thank you for registering your details with us. We hope you and your families are safe and well, wherever you are right now. We know many of you have been impacted by the Australian Government restrictions as a result of the coronavirus.  We also understand that many of you are worried about what this means for your studies.  

What we are doing

At the moment we don't know when the restrictions will change. The University is committed to making sure we can support a late arrival for Semester 1 for students impacted by these restrictions. We have extended the date you need to be on campus to the 23 March 2020 for most courses.  A small number of courses will still require you to be on campus ready to commence classes on 9 March 2020.

A 'course checker' will be available early next week via my.UQ. This will provide information so you can confirm when you need to be on campus for the courses you have enrolled in. We will support you to find an alternative course enrolment where you are unable to meet the timeline.  We will provide you with online support during the first four weeks of Semester (between 24 February - 20 March 2020) to help you keep up with your studies.

The support for students arriving on campus late will include:

Accessing your course remotely and support for Weeks 1-4, 24 February to 20 March 2020.

The content covered during Weeks 1-4 will be made available to you in an easy-to-access format. This will typically include:

·       Opportunities to consult and collaborate with teachers and fellow students.

·       Access to lecture notes and readings supplemented by lecture recordings.

·       Access to learning support resources and staff.

·       Opportunities to complete quizzes and receive feedback.

While this is an interim solution, we want to make sure we deliver everything we can to give you the best chance of graduating on time whilst meeting the academic requirements of your program.

Special considerations for impacted students

·       We have extended the due date for university tuition fees until Friday 20 March 2020.

·       If after Weeks 1-4, you are still impacted by restrictions, you will be able to withdraw from your course without financial penalty up until 31 March 2020.

·       You may request to withdraw without academic penalty up until the last day of classes in Semester 1, 2020.

There will be extra support for you when you arrive on campus as well as a range of social activities and events. You can read about this on UQLIFE.

What if your courses are not available for the online period?

If some or all of your courses are not available online for Weeks 1-4, please contact Student Services +61 7 3365 1704  or email student.services@uq.edu.au so we can provide you with the best advice for your particular situation.

What should you do now?

If you haven't yet finalised your course enrolments, please do so. This information will help us support you to continue with your studies until you are able to join us on campus.

Our registration form has changed. Could you please update your details in the new registration form? We want to know how you are doing and where you are so we can better support your needs.

Tell your friends. We still need to make contact with other students who may not know what to do or who to contact.  If somebody you know has not registered please send them this link: https://my.uq.edu.au/semester-1-arrival-information.

It will be worth the wait

UQ is an amazing place to study. We want to share a message for you and your family from our UQ President and Vice Chancellor.

We are looking forward to welcoming you when you arrive, and we are sorry that this has been a tough start to the year for you.  Please remember, even if you can't make Semester 1, there are so many opportunities waiting for you at UQ and we will do what we can to ensure you have a great experience.   

Kind regards

Professor Joanne Wright
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic

3 Feb

Coronavirus update 3 February - travel and self-isolation restrictions

All students

Student Services

As you may be aware, the Australian Government has provided updated information on the national response to the coronavirus and has implemented new measures that will directly affect some of our students. We understand that this is a difficult situation, and many students have been concerned about the impact this may have on their Semester One studies. We are working as quickly as possible to respond to this evolving situation.

Australian Government latest advice for universities:

• From February 1, Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family (dependents, legal guardians and spouses) returning from mainland China will be allowed to enter Australia but must self-isolate for 14 days.
• From February 1, all other travellers from mainland China will not be permitted entry.
• Australians are advised not to travel to mainland China.

Self-isolation requirements

• If you have travelled from the Hubei province in the past 14 days, you must self-isolate for 14 days from the day you left.
• If you are already in Australia but have travelled recently from mainland China or transited through mainland China prior to Saturday 1 February, you do not need to self-isolate.
• You do not need to self-isolate when travelling from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, unless you have been in the Hubei province in the past 14 days or in any part of mainland China on or after 1 February.
• You must self-isolate for 14 days if you have been in close contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus from the last date of contact.
• There are further restrictions for students placements. Students on placement will be contacted directly by their faculty / school if impacted.

Register for students impacted by the latest advice

If you are directly impacted please complete our online registration form. This will help us to support you. If you completed the registration form on 2 February before 12.30pm Brisbane time, please update your details as a few more questions have been added.

What adjustments may be possible for students directly impacted?

In the vast majority of cases:

• Students will be permitted to commence classes up to two weeks after the start of semester (Monday 9 March). We are also investigating options to allow students to commence later than 9 March where course and program structures allow. We will be in touch with further details on this later in the week.
• Commencing students will have the option to defer their commencement until Semester 2 or a later date.
• Returning students impacted by these restrictions will have the option to take a break in their studies for Semester 1 and then return in a future semester (click here for details).

In addition to this, we are currently investigating options for online delivery of course content in Semester 1 to support students who need to delay their start date.

Students not directly impacted by the latest advice should attend university as planned.

Please regularly check the UQ webpage which includes answers to key questions and is updated frequently.

The Student Services team will continue to monitor the situation and give further advice to students as needed. You can call them on + 61 (07) 3365 1704 or email student.services@uq.edu.au

Thank you for your continued patience as we work to resolve this situation as quickly as possible.

Best wishes

Andrea Strachan
Director, Student Services

31 Jan

Initial announcement to students

All students

DVCA

I hope this email finds you well, and that your preparations to join us for the 2020 academic year are progressing smoothly.

As you would expect, UQ has been monitoring developments with the coronavirus, taking advice from the relevant Australian government departments, and implementing any necessary actions.

We have set up a website to provide advice and information about the support we are making available to UQ students. The page will be updated as needed and I would encourage you to check it daily as government guidelines and transportation availability to Australia can change.

The coronavirus situation is continuing to evolve, and we understand this can be challenging when you are trying to plan your travel to the University for Semester 1.

Currently the restrictions are for students who have:
1.     Travelled to Hubei province, China within the past 14 days, you must isolate yourself for 14 days after leaving Hubei province.
2.     Been in close contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus, you must isolate yourself for 14 days after last contact with the confirmed case.

Students in these circumstances should not attend university and must avoid contact with other students and staff.

All other students are welcome to attend University as planned.

Please be aware there are multiple factors, many outside of our control, that could change at short notice. You may want to consider this when making your travel plans.

Key dates

Orientation Week commences on 17 February. If you need to self-isolate, you will need to arrive in Australia week commencing 3 February

First day of Semester 1 is 24 February. If you need to self-isolate, you would need to arrive in Australia week commencing 10 February.

If restrictions relating to the coronavirus impact on your travel to Australia or could delay your Semester 1 start, please register here with Student Services, and they will work with you to look at alternative options to support your studies.

We look forward to you joining us in the coming weeks.

Professor Joanne Wright
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic)