Severe weather response student communication

Dear Students,

I am writing to let you know that there will be no teaching this week and UQ locations in South East Queensland (SEQ) will remain closed today and Wednesday 2 March.

We may be able to reopen some essential areas and facilities later in the week, but it is still too early to make that call.

Teaching paused for the week

The decision to pause all teaching for the week includes online and in-person teaching, and all assessment.

Week 2 teaching will now commence on Monday 7 March – meaning that for most students, classes for semester one will end on Friday 3 June 2022. 

To update My Timetable with this change, class selections will need to be restricted from midday Wednesday 2 March. We will alert you through myUQ when it is reopened in time for the re-commencement of teaching next week.

Other minor amendments to the academic calendar will be required for the semester. These will be worked through over the coming week and updates provided as soon as possible. 

The following key dates have been changed to align with the Week 2 teaching adjustment:

• Final addition of courses or alteration of enrolment changed to 11 March 2022
• Fees due date changed to 11 March 2022

Placements

Where possible, placements will continue, and your faculty will continue to work with you regarding any impacts to your placement.

Restricted access

We greatly appreciate that students living on campus and nearby want to help with the clean-up operation. However, until we get clearance that it is safe to do so we would ask you to refrain from walking around the campuses. This is for your safety and the safety of others working to restore our sites and facilities.

Students on campus who need support, or access to power and wifi, should go directly to Student Central or contact our Student Services team via email or telephone.

Supporting students

We are continuing to support our students to find temporary accommodation and to access food and essential items. We know there are still more students out there who may be struggling. If you know of any students in this situation, please encourage them to contact our Student Services team who will be able to help.

Managing our research

I want to acknowledge the devasting impact this weather event has had on many of our research students. For some it will mean salvaging what they can and starting over again.

In the coming weeks, I will work with Executive Deans, Institute Directors and the Graduate School to understand the extent of the damage and what support needs to be put in place to assist. 

I would also like to remind our research students that during the closure this week, access needs to be restricted to level 3 critical research only.

Events cancelled

A reminder, all events at UQ locations for this week are cancelled. 

Our offshore students

Thank you for your patience as we work through the impacts of this event to our community. We look forward to seeing you back online next week. If you have any questions about this situation please contact our Student Services team who will be able to help.

With more storms and flooding predicted for the remainder of the week, I encourage students to stay up to date with the latest alerts from the Queensland Government, local councils and Bureau of Meteorology.

While the sun has been shining in Brisbane today, I do know that the next few days (and weeks) will be challenging as we start to understand the true impact of this extraordinary weather event. I also know that we are a strong and united community, and that together we can support each other through this.

Stay safe.

With best wishes
Debbie

Professor Deborah Terry AO
Vice-Chancellor and President
The University of Queensland

Dear Students,

After an anxious 24 hours, it appears that the worst of the extraordinary rain has passed. While there is significant damage to facilities and infrastructure, I am very pleased to say that our students, staff and animals at UQ locations are safe. This is thanks to the amazing and courageous work of our authorised staff working on the ground.

However, the Queensland Government has indicated that the threat of further flooding  remains, and storms are forecast for Wednesday.

As a result, all UQ sites in South East Queensland (SEQ) will remain closed on Tuesday 1 and Wednesday 2 March 2022.

The extended closure will allow us time to assess when it will be safe to reopen our locations and to start back teaching – whether that be online or in-person.

Safety first

The safety of our community is paramount. Therefore, unless you are residing on campus or are an authorised staff member, you must not attend UQ locations in SEQ.

People who attend our locations are endangering their own safety and the safety of others.

Teaching

All teaching (online and in-person) on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday is cancelled. We are waiting to understand the scale of damage at our campuses and the level of disruption to our community before making a decision on teaching for the rest of the week.

Once we get through the next few days, we can start to understand the impact the cancellation of classes will have on the teaching and assessment schedule for this semester.

Placements

If you are involved in clinical or other placements, your Faculty will be in touch to discuss your ongoing circumstances.

Support

We understand there are a number of students who have been displaced, need temporary accommodation, or access to food and essential items. Please reach out to our Student Services team who will be able to help and support you.

Events

All events at UQ locations for this week are also cancelled. I would ask any student groups with events scheduled to please notify their guests as soon as possible.

The coming days will be challenging as we start to understand the extent of the damage and clean up needed in our homes, communities and at the University.

The Queensland Government and local councils will provide updates over the coming days, and I would encourage students to monitor them.

Thank you again for your resilience in responding to these challenges and disruptions to our study. I will provide an update to you again tomorrow.

Stay safe.

With best wishes
Debbie

Professor Deborah Terry AO
Vice-Chancellor and President
The University of Queensland

Dear Students,

I hope you, your family and friends, are keeping safe.

Below is an outline of the status of our operations and the actions the University is taking to keep our students and staff safe and our facilities operating over this challenging period.

In response to the continued severe weather and widespread flooding, all UQ locations in the South East Queensland will be closed today and Monday 28 February.

Teaching

All teaching (online and in-person) is cancelled on Monday 28 February. We will work with teaching staff in the coming weeks to understand the impact that this decision has on teaching and assessments for the semester.

Placements

If you are involved in clinical or other placements, your Faculty will be in touch to discuss your circumstances.

All UQ locations closed

Students should not attend campus today or Monday. Staff have also been asked to work remotely.

All facilities such as libraries, UQ Sport facilities, restaurants and retail outlets will also be closed.

The Safety Bus is not operating and the intercampus bus services between Gatton-St Lucia and Herston-St Lucia will not be operating on Monday.

I understand some people are coming to campuses to see what support is needed. For your own safety, you must not attend campus until we reopen.

Staying safe

I encourage all students to monitor the Bureau of Meteorology for the latest warnings, be prepared and never drive, ride or walk in floodwater.

I know this may be an anxious time. I urge students to reach out to your friends to check if they are okay, and if they need anything.

Also, I want to remind students that our Students Services team is also available to provide support and help out.

Facilities / location updates

I want to sincerely thank our staff and providers who have been on the frontlines since Friday, braving the weather to keep our people and animals safe, rescuing people in vehicles, protecting our facilities and keeping power going to our operations.

Across all our locations there has been damage of varying levels including water leaks, power outages, flooding and debris and erosion of roads.

Further updates will be provided on Monday 28 February. And, please remember if it’s flooded, forget it and in the case of an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).

Stay safe.

With best wishes
Debbie

Professor Deborah Terry AO
Vice-Chancellor and President
The University of Queensland