Impact of Stage 4 restrictions

5 August 2020

Dear student,

The declaration of a State of Disaster for Victoria and implementation of stage four restrictions for metropolitan Melbourne are significant challenges for Monash as a whole – and for each of you individually.

As reactivation of campuses not only goes on hold, but is now superseded by a new lockdown, we are working through variations on the many changes we put in place during the first lockdown.

We have the organisational experience of last time to make these new changes relatively smoothly. However we are all carrying the impact of withdrawing into the metaphorical and real isolation of lockdown again.

Needless to say, it is a very different set of circumstances than we were hoping to see.

It tests all of us, and so one of our major tasks is to think about and respond to (as best we can) the different ways it affects each of us. Everyone has a different circumstance – be it childcare, home-schooling, caring for elderly family members, isolation, anxiety and more. The importance of kindness to others, as well as self-care, is as important as the operational changes we are working through again.

Please reach out to the Monash support services if you need to – they are available for any member of our community. You can access counselling or our various health and wellbeing services.

The University continues to align with all Victorian Government restrictions: the introduction of a curfew (8pm to 5am), wearing a face mask when leaving home, and strict physical distancing measures. And, of course, following the key message that if unwell and/or displaying symptoms, you must stay home and get tested for COVID-19, and do not come to campus.

We will keep you updated with any further changes. For now, please familiarise yourself with the stage four key changes.

Semester two learning and teaching arrangements

  • The University will align with the Victorian Government and continue remote learning for the majority of students from Wednesday 5 August.
  • All lectures and seminars will continue to be online for the remainder of 2020, and tutorials and other learning activities will be online until at least after the lockdown.
  • The mid-semester break remains the same.
  • All on-campus practicals and workshops will be postponed, with some exemptions.
  • Students who attend campus must wear a mask at all times while on campus, but will not require a permit or to record their attendance beyond swiping access to buildings and using the University’s Wi-Fi.
  • When travelling to campus, if questioned by the authorities, students can provide their student ID as proof of the need to visit campus for study. Monash Connect can be contacted for further details on this.
  • Monash University libraries will close temporarily for library services, which will instead be offered online. However emergency study spaces for students who cannot do their study from home will be available at Peninsula, Caulfield and Clayton libraries between the hours of 9.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.

The below categories of critical research will continue:

  • All COVID-19-related research
  • Hazard monitoring and resilience
  • Biosecurity and public health
  • Research where Australia has a competitive advantage
  • All research that is to continue must be approved by the Provost.

Campus operations

  • Monash Residential Services (MRS) will remain open for residents.
  • A strict curfew is in place at MRS from 8pm to 5am, with the exception of those as stated by the State Government – i.e. for work and essential health, care or safety reasons. Exercise outside of residences is not permitted during curfew.
  • University health services at Caulfield, Clayton and Peninsula campuses will remain open, including the COVID-19 Fast Track Clinic at Clayton and COVID-19 telehealth consultations and testing.
  • Only campus retailers that provide essential products or services will be open, including the Monash Merchant, Monash Campus Centre Pharmacy and post office.
  • Food and beverage retailers are open for takeaway only.
  • Monash Sport will remain closed until further notice, however online programs will continue to be offered.

At the centre of every decision we have made in modifying our approach in line with government advice is the safety, health and wellbeing of each member of the Monash community. Again, I wish to thank you for your patience, resilience and flexibility in adjusting to these necessary changes.

Stay safe and take care.

Regards,

Professor Margaret Gardner AC
President and Vice-Chancellor