March 16, 2020

COVID-19 Response update: 16 Mar 2020

Two-week recess from 23 March as staff transition courses

The University of Wollongong (UOW) will bring forward the mid-session recess to start on Monday 23 March, extend it to two weeks, and move all undergraduate and postgraduate classes to remote delivery mode when the autumn session recommences on Monday 6 April.

The mid-session recess was originally scheduled for one week from 13 to 17 April.

Academics, including casual teaching staff, and professional services staff will continue working intensively during the mid-session recess to transition all undergraduate and postgraduate programs to remote delivery. All UOW campuses, library, facilities, research and administrative functions will remain open during the recess.

Classes will continue as normal this week (March 16-20). However, to support students and staff who feel or are particularly vulnerable, the University is introducing flexibility with immediate effect. Tutorials and other classes will not be mandatory this week. Academic staff who can and wish to deliver lectures online this week may do so.

UOW Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Wellings CBE announced the changes today (Monday 16 March) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“These are extraordinary times, with measures to slow the spread of the virus and its subsequent impact disrupting the way we live and interact,” Professor Wellings said.

“Educational institutions in Australia and organisations around the world are experiencing operational interruptions, and UOW is no exception.

“In response, we are taking sensible measures to ensure that students can continue to progress in their studies and our world-class research can continue, while also protecting the health and wellbeing of students and staff.

“Plans are well advanced to move to remote delivery for all our courses. Through these careful preparations, we aim to ensure a high-quality, remotely delivered learning experience for students, with good support in place for students and teaching staff.”

The Vice-Chancellor flagged there could be further changes to the 2020 academic calendar as the COVID-19 outbreak develops, while ensuring students have the opportunity to complete the necessary workloads to graduate without delay.

“While there are still no confirmed cases of the virus here on our Australian campuses, we know that there are confirmed cases in our communities.  It is inevitable that staff and students associated with UOW will be impacted,” Professor Wellings said.

“As this pandemic unfolds, students and colleagues will experience disruptions in their personal lives, such as needing to care for and support family members.  Students and staff who find themselves in this situation are encouraged to use the support services and leave provisions in place at UOW so that they can support their families.

“While the impact of COVID-19 will be felt through the remainder of 2020, I am confident that UOW will emerge from it stronger than ever.”