All Australian University of Wollongong (UOW) campuses remain open and operational, but in mid-session recess, as staff prepare for remote course delivery to commence from Monday, April 6.
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UOW is continuing to follow all government advice and directions in its response to COVID-19 and is maintaining the health and safety of students, staff and the community as its top priority.
"I am very proud of the collaborative work happening across all faculties to accelerate UOW's preparation for remote course delivery," UOW Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Wellings CBE said.
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"I am impressed by the commitment been shown by staff to ensuring our students continue to have a positive learning experience with us.
"As that work progresses, essential services for students-particularly student residents-and staff on campus are still being provided, albeit in a modified way.
"Appropriate and practical social distancing measures are being implemented in all University workplaces to protect the safety of staff and these measures will be reviewed on an ongoing basis," Professor Wellings said.
Several cafes, the IGA supermarket, UniShop, hairdresser and banks remain open providing essential campus services, with arrangements in place to ensure appropriate social distancing.
"In the interests of public health and in accordance with government directions announced by the Prime Minister on Tuesday night, March 24, we are implementing a range of closures and operational changes to some campus facilities.
"The University is mindful of the impact these changes will have on staff, students, customers and community users. These are difficult times and we regret that these changes and closures must be made.
"We are notifying affected staff and users, and offering what assistance we can. Those facilities that can continue supporting our community via remote means will do so as far as possible.
"We will confront these changes together as we look forward to the time when the public health circumstances allow us to restore the enjoyable campus experience for which UOW is renowned," Professor Wellings said.
As UOW staff continue their essential work, appropriate social distancing arrangements are being implemented to ensure workplace safety.
Office space utilisation is being optimised to achieve social distancing and remote working technologies are being tested and applied within each division according to operational requirements.
Although academics predominantly occupy private offices that allow for adequate social distancing, flexible arrangements for remote working are also being made for them as appropriate to meet the needs of each workplace.
The University will provide further guidance to staff on workplace social distancing and remote working arrangements on an ongoing basis as this rapidly evolving situation develops.
