Coronavirus (COVID-19) updates

Key Information as at 18 May 2020

• As Federal and State restrictions on social engagement and business operations in South Australia being to relax, the University has released a recovery plan which outlines how we will safely phase all teaching, operations and working arrangements back to on-campus delivery.
• We want to thank students and staff at the University for their cooperation, perseverance and flexibility in adapting to new modes of delivery of our education and services. It is through everyone’s combined effort that we have been able to meet the immediate challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Lectures will remain online for the remainder of 2020. Tutorials will remain online until Friday 12 June 2020, and will be delivered on campus from Monday 15 June 2020, with appropriate distancing and safety protocols in place.
• Some studios, workshops and practicals will continue to be delivered on campus, with all on campus from Monday 15 June 2020, with appropriate social distancing and safety protocols in place.
• Research and fieldwork may continue, with the appropriate permissions and safety protocols in place. Research fieldwork in South Australia requires the permission of the relevant Dean or Director of Research, for the remainder of the year. Until Friday 12 June 2020, research that cannot be done remotely may be conducted on campus, with the permission of the relevant Dean or Director of Research, using the approved preparedness framework. From Monday 15 June 2020, most research may be undertaken on campus, in line with distancing and safety protocols. Any research that requires human contact can only be undertaken with permission from the relevant Dean or Director of Research, until the end of 2020.
• Study Period 2 and 3 exams will be conducted online and students will be given an extra hour to complete examinations. (This does not apply for UniSA Online Students.)
• All current start dates for the second half of 2020 remain as published. Study Period 5 will commence on Monday 20 July 2020 for most students (students studying Law and Business will commence Monday 3 August 2020). UniSA Online start dates are also unchanged.
• To minimise the disruption of learning and student success outcomes caused by COVID-19, the University has introduced changes to its assessment and grading practices. Within 10 days of the release of final grades, students who pass their course may request a non-graded pass that does not impact their GPA, and students who fail a course may drop the course and a Withdraw Not Fail notation will appear on their academic transcript (which won’t count towards their GPA).
• The University has established a dedicated $10 million fund to support those in severe financial circumstances as a result of COVID-19. This fund is now open to all students enrolled for onshore study in UniSA at all levels. The State Government has also demonstrated its continuing commitment to our international student community by recently announcing a new $13.8 million International Student Support Package.
• Retail food outlets on campus will progressively open for limited hours and provide take-away food (with outdoor dining limited to 10 people max) then continue to operate in line with State Government direction.
• UniSA’s indoor sport and fitness facilities will begin to re-open with required limits in place from Monday 15 June 2020.
• The University is postponing all graduation ceremonies scheduled for April and May in all locations – Adelaide, Whyalla and Mount Gambier. Students’ awards will be conferred in absentia and parchments will be sent to all graduates by post.
• All international travel on university business and/or study tours is suspended until further notice.
• Work-related regional travel will be considered from Monday 18 May 2020, and requests for approval of work-related essential interstate travel will be reviewed in line with State border restrictions from Monday 15 June 2020..
• All university on-campus public events are deferred until further notice.

See latest UniSA updates and communications in full

Further Resources

• Australian Government - Department of Health Coronavirus latest updates
• Australian Government - Department of Health For University students and staff
• Australian Government Department of Health Coronavirus Information Line on 1800 020 080
• Australian Government Department of Health Coronavirus campaign resources
• Department of Education Advice for international students
• World Health Organization
• South Australian Department of Health and Wellbeing
• SA Health COVID-19 community guide, What should you do.
• Smart Traveller coronavirus information
• Safe Work Australia - COVID-19 and Work Health and Safety