Second Step - roadmap for reopening
29 September 2020
Dear student,
As confirmed on Sunday by the Victorian Premier, metropolitan Melbourne has now moved to the Second Step in the State Government's Coronavirus (COVID-19) roadmap for reopening.
Under the Second Step, final-year higher education students in metropolitan Melbourne who require access to campus for in-person teaching, assessment and/or work placements so they can graduate by January 2021 can return on site for these purposes only. This also includes honours students and other final-year students who need access to campus for their research or other projects.
This activity will be carried out in permitted areas to ensure all spaces and equipment are appropriately cleaned.
The University is working to revise on-campus teaching schedules for final-year students. For those unable to come to campus due to their current location, such as those who are overseas, we will continue to provide online teaching to progress their studies.
Not all students in their final semester need access to on-campus teaching and assessment. We will be in contact with students this week regarding the remainder of the calendar year’s scheduling of classes, which will commence following the mid-semester break.
International students
For students who are overseas and need hands-on practical learning or placements to complete their studies, we are continuing to work with the Australian Government to ensure their safe return to Victoria.
We are also exploring opportunities at our campuses in Sunway, Malaysia, and Suzhou, China, subject to any border restrictions of those countries, that will allow students to complete their degree in these locations, should they wish to do so.
We will communicate these options to students as soon as possible, and wish to reassure our overseas students that their needs are high among our priorities.
Your health & safety on campus
Students who require access to on-site learning may attend campus, and must follow the strict physical distancing and safety measures we already have in place, which align to Victorian Government directives. This includes wearing a face mask that covers the nose and mouth, including while in class. Face shields on their own do not meet these requirements. Where the University has conducted a risk assessment and deemed that a surgical or other grade mask is required for specific University-related activities, the University will supply this.
Students who attend campus do not require a permit, and do not need to record their attendance beyond swiping their Monash ID card to access buildings and use the University’s Wi-Fi.
November intake
We anticipate that students commencing study as part of the November intake will be able to do so on campus; however, this will depend on what Victorian Government restrictions are in place in November. We expect to receive further advice regarding this on 19 October, and will communicate this to those students as soon as possible.
Safe reactivation of our Australian campuses
The recommencement of the safe, full reactivation of our Australian campuses will be delayed until further notice, subject to 'trigger points' being met and public health advice. We will continue to update the Monash community accordingly.
Monash continues to align with all Victorian Government directives, including the six COVIDSafe principles, and having a COVID Safe Plan (PDF, 306KB) in place.
As always, and most importantly, if you are displaying COVID-19 symptoms, you must get tested for COVID-19 immediately, and not attend campus.
Monash remains committed to supporting our students. If you or someone in your family requires support, please contact the University counselling services by calling (03) 9905 3020.
Regards,
Professor Margaret Gardner AC
President and Vice-Chancellor