Don’t get too excited, UOA will remain in remote teaching mode until the start of Semester 2 on the 27th of July (at least). You will have to stay cooped up in your blanket forts, illuminated by the dying light of your laptop screens, for a little while longer. However, the move to level 2 does grant some more freedoms, with some intense restrictions and rigorous tracing of those on campus.
Library and UBIQ
- During level 3, the library was set up to loan books out through a click and collect service, so students could line up at the door and get their requested texts from library staff. This service will continue, from every library on every campus, through the online Catalogue pages. The General Library will also be a click and collect point for Campus Cards and AT Hop Card concessions.
- UBIQ is continuing with the click and collect services they were running in level 3, with orders placed on the UBIQ website (just select Click and Collect as the delivery option at checkout). UBIQ is also offering free freight within NZ.
- With all click and collect services, at both the library and UBIQ, you need to wait until your order has been confirmed for pickup before heading to campus.
Other Campus Services
- Munchy Mart continues to be open Monday to Friday from 9am-4pm, with Click and Collect services also available through their website.
- UniChem is the same, 9am-4pm on weekdays.
- PB Tech remains closed until further notice, but some of their services are considered essential and contacts for this are available on the uni website.
- The University Health and Counselling Services are open Monday to Friday from 9am-6pm, except for Fridays when they close up at 4:30pm. The university has clarified that you need to call ahead for access to UHCS, as most appointments are still being held over the phone to avoid face-to-face contact. In person appointments will only occur if the doctor deems it necessary.
- The Recreation Centre is set to reopen on the 18th of May. It’s expected that more rigorous hygiene practices will be in place.
Check-IN
More broadly, the University will be required to record the movement of every person on campus, and comply with other guidelines set by the Government, including physical distancing and the management of group sizes. To get on top of tracking movement on campus, the University is utilising an attendance recording service called Check-IN. The service asks staff and students to specify which buildings they have entered. In some areas, including the Owen G Glenn Building, the Science Centre, Kate Edger, the Clock Tower, Alfred Nathan House, the General Library, Old Choral Hall and the Biology Building, staff and students will be asked to specify further which rooms they have entered. In an email sent to all staff, the University Communications Team noted that all rooms will eventually be made available for Check-IN.
Semester 2
During semester 2, the University intends to return to on-campus teaching, likely with some adjustments to timetables and physical distancing practices. It seems that remote learning will continue to be available, so the University can support particularly vulnerable students and those studying outside of New Zealand. Large lectures may have to remain online, especially if we are still under Level 2 restrictions. Other changes that comply with physical distancing measures may also be employed. Further details for semester 2 are set to be released in the coming weeks.
