Below are copies of COVID-19 communications sent to students in 2021. You can view the 2020 COVID-19 communications sent to students page if required. Please note the information contained in these may not be the latest advice. For the latest advice please go to the Studying during COVID-19 website.
COVID-19 student communication
| To: All currently enrolled students | From: Pro Vice-Chancellor (Students) | Subject: USQ Update |COVID-19 Important Update | |
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The Queensland Government have announced updated restrictions from 4.00pm Friday 20 August 2021 in the 11 Local Government areas impacted by the recent lockdown. For USQ, this means that the following restrictions will apply from Friday, 20 August 2021 from 4.00pm: Impacts at our Springfield and Ipswich campuses
Impacts at our Toowoomba campus and other USQ locations
Restrictions continue to allow academics to remove masks when teaching. Masks will be available from iconnect or USQ Security on each campus. We continue to ask that you consider limiting travel between campuses where possible to essential activities only. Masks must be worn when waiting for the USQ shuttle bus and on board, and where this is not possible, those persons must physically distance. Support for you If you have questions or need advice, the iconnect team is here to support you via Zoom and chat, or you can join the supportive USQ iconnect Facebook group. The Queensland Government is expected to review the existing lockdown arrangements over the course of the weekend, and we will provide you with more information when that comes to hand via your student email (UMail). Please remember if you have symptoms, get tested immediately and follow the directions of Queensland Health. Thank you for your ongoing support. Regards Professor Josh Pienaar |
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| To: All currently enrolled students | From: Pro Vice-Chancellor (Students) | Subject: USQ Update |COVID-19 updated arrangements | |
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Queensland Health have provided updated advice regarding the movement of people from the affected 11 Local Government areas into regional Queensland. This advice has confirmed that businesses can permit travel between regions for work and educational purposes. Consequently, from Tuesday 10 August 2021 inter-campus travel including the operation of the inter-campus shuttle bus will recommence. Queensland Health have also reinforced requirements with regard to wearing masks.
Restrictions allow academics to remove masks when teaching. Masks will be available from iConnect or USQ Security on each campus. Stay updated Please ensure that you keep checking your student email (UMail) and the Queensland Government Health website for information on lockdown requirements and contact tracing locations. If you have questions or need advice, the iconnect team is here to support you via Zoom and chat, or you can join the supportive USQ iconnect Facebook group. Your ongoing assistance in adhering to social distancing and hygiene requirements while on campus is critical to keeping our university community safe. Regards Professor Josh Pienaar |
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| To: All currently enrolled students | From: Pro Vice-Chancellor (Students) | Subject: USQ Update |COVID-19 Important Update | |
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Thank you for your ongoing flexibility while we all adjust to changes in Queensland Government Restrictions. From 4.00pm Sunday 8 August 2021, the 11 Local Government Areas in South East Queensland have come out of lockdown. Subsequently, our Springfield and Ipswich campuses will recommence on-campus operations on Monday 9 August 2021. Some restrictions will continue to apply for the next two weeks and masks will be required to be worn while present on the Springfield and Ipswich campuses. People are encouraged to wear masks on the Toowoomba campus as well. Your course staff may however remove their masks for the purpose of teaching. Masks will be available from iConnect or USQ Security on each campus. The Queensland Government have asked people from the affected 11 Local Government areas to avoid regional areas of Queensland. This may result in some classes having to remain online for this period. We are seeking some clarification on this advice from Qld Health and accordingly intercampus travel including via the USQ shuttle service will continue to be suspended on Monday 9 August 2021. Students are advised not to travel to the Toowoomba campus from any of the affected LGAs until such time as this advice is clarified. You will be notified through your StudyDesk in relation to arrangements for affected classes, practical laboratory sessions, and other course-level changes to learning activities. Please remember if you have any symptoms at all, do not come on-campus, get tested, isolate and follow the directions of the Queensland Government. USQ's priority is the safety and wellbeing of our students, staff and broader community. We strongly encourage students and staff to access COVID-19 vaccines as they become available and to seek advice from their local GP if required. Don't forget that it is a requirement to check in when visiting any USQ campus - noting that USQ Springfield and USQ Ipswich are currently closed due to the South East Queensland lockdown. You can check in using the Check In Qld app and scanning the QR codes available around the campuses or by manually checking in at iconnect. Find out more about the Check In Qld app and their privacy policy via the Check In Qld app website FAQs. Stay updated Please ensure that you keep checking your student email (UMail) and the Queensland Government Health website for information on lockdown requirements and contact tracing locations. If you have questions or need advice, the iconnect team is here to support you via Zoom and chat, or you can join the supportiveUSQ iconnect Facebook group. The Queensland Government is expected to review the existing lockdown arrangements over the course of the weekend, and we will provide you with more information when that comes to hand via your student email (UMail). Please remember if you have symptoms, get tested immediately and follow the directions of Queensland Health. Stay safe and continue to look after yourself and your loved ones. Regards Professor Josh Pienaar |
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| To: All currently enrolled students | From: Pro Vice-Chancellor (Students) | Subject: USQ Update |COVID-19 Important Update | |
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Thank you for your ongoing flexibility while we adjust to changes in Queensland Government Restrictions. A reminder that people who are impacted by the lockdown are not permitted to attend the Toowoomba campus until the lockdown has ended. This means that if you were in one of the 11 areas subject to lockdown restrictions after 1:00AM Saturday 31 July 2021, you are unfortunately unable to attend campus and need to follow lockdown requirements, regardless of your place of residence. We strongly encourage Toowoomba-based students and staff to wear masks while on campus as a general precaution. Masks are available from the Security Office or iconnect. Please also engage in good personal hygiene by washing or sanitising your hands regularly and staying home when unwell. USQ's priority is the safety and wellbeing of our students, staff and broader community. We strongly encourage students and staff to access COVID-19 vaccines as they become available and to see advice from their local GP if required. Don't forget that it is a requirement to check in when visiting any USQ campus - noting that USQ Springfield and USQ Ipswich are currently closed due to the South East Queensland lockdown. You can check in using the Check In Qld app and scanning the QR codes available around the campuses or by manually checking in at iconnect. Find out more about the Check In Qld app and their privacy policy via the Check In Qld app website FAQs. Stay updated Please ensure that you keep checking your student email (UMail) and the Queensland Government Health website for information. Please also keep checking the list of contract tracing sites. If you have questions or need advice, the iconnect team is here to support you via Zoom and chat, or you can join the supportive USQ iconnect Facebook group. The Queensland Government is expected to review the existing lockdown arrangements over the course of the weekend, and we will provide you with more information when that comes to hand via your student email (UMail). Please remember if you have symptoms, get tested immediately and follow the directions of Queensland Health. Stay safe and continue to look after yourself and your loved ones. Regards Professor Josh Pienaar |
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| To: Students enrolled in NUR1299 | From: Professor Victoria Terry, Associate Head (Clinical Education) | Subject: USQ Placements | COVID-19 Vaccination Information for Residential Aged Care Facilities | |
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We hope you are well and staying safe at this time. As you may be aware, on 28 June 2021, National Cabinet agreed to some changes to vaccination against COVID-19 for the aged care workforce. Specifically:
In preparation for your upcoming NUR1299 placement in a Residential Aged Care Facility, we have contacted all facilities to determine if the new requirement for aged care workers will also apply to students preparing to attend placement in their facility. Please note that several facilities have now informed us that students will need to provide evidence of their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine to attend their upcoming NUR1299 placement within the facility. This requirement will be updated in your orientation information on InPlace as facilities confirm their student placement requirements. Due to the nature of their work, healthcare workers, and health students on placement, face a higher risk of COVID infection and illness compared to the general population. As such, healthcare workers may also, unwittingly, be responsible for transmitting the virus to the vulnerable population in their care. Therefore, healthcare workers have been prioritised in Australia's COVID-19 Vaccine Roadmap to receive a COVID vaccine. Your support and uptake of the vaccine, while vital to your own protection, will also support higher uptake in the community. Vaccination information Students can visit the Australian Government's eligibility checker to book an appointment through a General Practitioner, General Practice Respiratory Centre or Queensland Health vaccination centre. All students have been provided with a letter of support from USQ confirming their eligibility. The last USQ communication with the letter of support was sent on the 9 July 2021 to all enrolled students. Ipswich Hospital and Baillie Henderson Hospital are offering vaccines to students and have provided the following details:
The following Pfizer vaccinating centres are also offering vaccines to USQ students in the Ipswich and Springfield regions:
Please contact the centres directly to make an appointment. Kind regards Professor Victoria Terry |
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| To: All currently enrolled students | From: Pro Vice-Chancellor (Students) | Subject: USQ Update |Extension to current lockdown | |
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Following the announcement from the Queensland Government this morning, Monday, 2 August, 2021, the lockdown affecting 11 Local Government Areas (LGAs) is extended through to 4.00PM, Sunday, 8 August 2021. This includes our Springfield and Ipswich campuses. This means that our Springfield and Ipswich campuses are closed for the duration of the lockdown, and only Campus Security Officers will be permitted on campus. This lockdown applies to anyone, including members of the same household, who have been in any of the LGAs since 1:00AM, Saturday, 31 July 2021. This means that if you, or a member of your household, have been in any one of the 11 LGAs since 1.00AM Saturday morning, which includes Brisbane, Ipswich and the Lockyer Valley, the lockdown restrictions also apply to you and you will also be unable to attend the Toowoomba campus. In addition, if you have been in one of these LGAs at any time since 1.00AM, Tuesday 29 June 2021, requirements for wearing face masks have changed. Find out more on the updated mask requirements. On-campus learning activities at USQ Springfield and USQ Ipswich As stated previously, scheduled on-campus learning activities at our Springfield and Ipswich campuses will be transitioned to online for the duration of the lockdown. Some Toowoomba learning activities will also move online due to teaching staff being affected by the lockdown. Arrangements for practical laboratory sessions, residential schools, and other impacted learning activities will be communicated to you as required through StudyDesk by the teaching staff for your individual courses or via your student email. Students should also follow any additional advice received from their placement provider, including students currently on placement. On-campus facilities and services at USQ Springfield and USQ Ipswich The USQ Ipswich and USQ Springfield campuses will be closed for the duration of the lockdown period. The inter-campus shuttle buses will not operate during the lockdown period. Only Security will be on the Springfield and Ipswich campuses during the lockdown due to the heightened restrictions in this lockdown period. These staff will be required to wear masks and follow Queensland Health directives. Stay updated Please ensure that you keep checking your student email (UMail) and the Queensland Government Health website for information. Please also keep checking the list of contract tracing sites. If you have questions or need advice, the iconnect team is here to support you via Zoom and chat, or you can join the supportive USQ iconnect Facebook group. We appreciate your understanding and ongoing flexibility during the current situation. Please continue to look after one another and if you have any symptoms at all, get tested and follow the directions of Queensland Health. Regards Professor Josh Pienaar |
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| To: HDR Students | From: Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) | Subject: USQ Research | Important COVID-19 update for HDR Students | |
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As you will be aware, the Springfield and Ipswich campuses of the University of Southern Queensland are closed until the end of the current lockdown in Southeast Queensland. Due to the heightened restrictions of the current lockdown, this means that only essential personnel are allowed on campus, and that no one can attend campus at Springfield or Ipswich for any reason unless it is deemed to be critical and essential work. I understand this may create difficulties for some of you who may have left important work items on campus, or who have experimental work that you wish to complete. However, for the duration of this lockdown people cannot attend campus to collect any items or conduct experimental work. There may be some extraordinary situations that require attendance on campus, in which there is a critical piece of equipment or an experiment that needs attention for health and safety reasons, or to protect an expensive item of equipment. If you believe that there is a need to attend to critical work on campus, then you will need to make a request for approval to the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and Innovation). You will not be allowed on campus unless your request has been approved and the USQ Security team has been advised by me of this approval and the justification for your attendance on campus. Your visit will then need to be arranged with USQ Security prior to attending campus, otherwise you will not be permitted onto the grounds. Please remember, as per the current QLD Health directive, it is not permitted to travel more than 10km from your home during this lockdown, so you may need to demonstrate a need to travel to conduct essential work to the police, not just to our USQ Security staff. This is a difficult time for everyone in the affected areas, and more broadly, and the University will seek to support you wherever possible, and to ensure that your progress in your degree is not significantly or adversely impacted. USQ offers a range of support services for students and I encourage you to access these. And, of course, you can contact the Graduate Research School team for further advice about how to manage your candidature and your personal circumstances during this challenging time. Yours sincerely Professor John Bell |
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| To: All currently enrolled students | From: Pro Vice-Chancellor (Students) | Subject: USQ Update |Three-day lockdown for LGAs | |
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Following the announcement from Queensland Government this morning, a three-day lockdown will apply to a number of local government areas (LGAs) in Queensland from 4.00PM today, 31 July 2021. This includes our Springfield and Ipswich campuses. The lockdown will apply to anyone who has been in any of the LGAs since 1:00AM today, 31 July 2021, and will be in place until at least 4:00PM on Tuesday. This means that if you have been in any one of the 11 Local Government areas since 1.00am Saturday morning, 31 July 2021, which includes Brisbane, Ipswich and the Lockyer Valley, the lockdown restrictions also apply to you and you will also be unable to attend the Toowoomba campus. On-campus learning activities at USQ Springfield and USQ Ipswich Scheduled on-campus learning activities at our Springfield and Ipswich campuses will be transitioned to online for the duration of the lockdown. Arrangements for practical laboratory sessions and other impacted learning activities will be communicated to you as required through StudyDesk by the teaching staff for your individual courses. Please note that some Toowoomba classes may be impacted as a result of this. Students should also follow any additional advice received from their placement provider, including students currently on placement. On-campus facilities and services at USQ Springfield and USQ Ipswich The USQ Library is now closed across both USQ Springfield and USQ Ipswich campuses, however will still be providing an online service during normal library operating hours. The inter-campus shuttle buses will not operate during the lockdown period. Only Security will be on the Springfield and Ipswich campuses during the lockdown due to the heightened restrictions in this lockdown period. These staff will be required to wear masks and follow Queensland Health directives. Stay updated We will continue to keep you informed as changes occur. Please ensure that you keep checking your student email (UMail) and the Queensland Government Health website for the latest information and updates. If you have questions or need advice, the iconnect team is here to support you via Zoom and chat, or you can join the supportive USQ iconnect Facebook group. Thank you for your cooperation today as we swiftly moved to close the campus as a precautionary measure to enable cleaning to be completed. Please stay safe and continue to look after yourself and your loved ones. Regards Professor Josh Pienaar |
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| To: Students enrolled in Semester 2, 2021 | From: Pro Vice-Chancellor (Students) | Subject: USQ Update | USQ Springfield campus reopening | |
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The Springfield campus will reopen tomorrow, Saturday, 31 July 2021. The precautionary cleaning of the campus will be completed by the end of today. Over the weekend, the USQ Library and gym will be open during their usual operating hours and normal university activity will return Monday, 2 August 2021. Please remember to follow Queensland Health guidelines and wear masks when on campus in Springfield or Ipswich in support of the current restrictions in our local government area. Please remember if you have any symptoms at all, get tested and immediately isolate until a negative result is received. Support for you If you have questions or need advice, the iconnect team is here to support you via Zoom and chat, or you can join the supportive USQ iconnect Facebook group. Thank you for your cooperation today as we swiftly moved to close the campus as a precautionary measure to enable cleaning to be completed. Regards Professor Josh Pienaar |
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| To: Students enrolled in Semester 2, 2021 | From: Pro Vice-Chancellor (Students) | Subject: USQ Update | Urgent - USQ Springfield campus closure | |
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The University will be closing the Springfield campus from 10.30am Friday 30 July 2021 following the announcement from the Queensland Government this morning that a student at Indooroopilly State High School has tested positive to COVID-19. Members of our Springfield University community were engaged with the school this week and as a precaution we will be closing the campus until Monday morning. This closure will enable a precautionary clean of the campus while we await further information from the Queensland Government. If you have used the shuttle service to leave or go to Springfield campus and need this service to return to your usual destination, please contact Campus Security to discuss arrangements. Only USQ Security will be on the Springfield campuses during this closure and they will be required to wear masks and follow Queensland Health guidelines. We will continue to keep you informed as changes occur. Please ensure that you keep checking your student email and the Queensland Government website for the latest advice. Support for you If you have questions or need advice, the iconnect team is here to support you via Zoom and chat, or you can join the supportive USQ iconnect Facebook group. Please stay safe and look after yourself and your loved ones. Regards Professor Josh Pienaar |
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| To: Students enrolled in Semester 2, 2021 | From: Pro Vice-Chancellor (Students) | Subject: USQ Update | Continuation of restrictions | |
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Yesterday the Queensland Government updated their announcement regarding, continued mask requirements for South East Queensland local government areas. All staff and students from these affected areas attending Toowoomba campus, Mt Kent or Stanthorpe must wear a face mask when visiting - except when able to comfortably distance from others and while eating/drinking. A reminder that to keep our regional community safe, Queensland Health requires any travellers from the Toowoomba campus, Stanthorpe or Mt Kent who have been in South East Queensland local government areas since 29 June 2021, to wear a mask for the duration of the public health direction - even when they return to Toowoomba or other local government areas. The direction is set to ease Friday 30 July 2021. Don’t forget that it is a requirement to check in when visiting any USQ campus. You can check in using the Check In Qld app and scanning the QR codes available around the campuses or by manually checking in at iconnect. Find out more about the Check In Qld app and their privacy policy via the Check In Qld app website FAQs. Regards Professor Josh Pienaar |
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| To: Students enrolled in Semester 2, 2021 | From: Pro Vice-Chancellor (Students) | Subject: USQ Update | Check-in requirements from 5 July | |
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As per Queensland Government direction, from 1.00AM Friday, 9 July 2021, the Check in Qld app will be mandatory for a number of new sectors including universities. In preparation, all persons entering a USQ location as of today, Monday, 5 July 2021, are required to use the Check in Qld app. There will be a unique QR code for each USQ location so please check in again as you move between Toowoomba, Springfield, and Ipswich campuses, as well as Mt Kent Observatory and the Queensland College of Wine Tourism in Stanthorpe. You are required to check in once per visit when you arrive to each location. By using the Check in Qld app you will be:
Information about how the department collects, stores, uses and discloses your personal information can be found in the privacy policy which is also linked from the privacy policy section of the app. Signage with the respective QR code will be readily available at each USQ location. If you have questions or need advice, the iconnect team is here to support you via Zoom and chat, or you can join the supportive USQ iconnect Facebook group. Regards Professor Josh Pienaar |
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| To: Students enrolled in Semester 2, 2021 | From: Pro Vice-Chancellor (Students) | Subject: USQ Update | Easing of restrictions | |
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Following the Government announcement, lockdown restrictions will be lifting at 6.00PM today, Friday, 2 July 2021, at our Springfield and Ipswich campuses. For the local government areas no longer affected by the latest lockdown, including our Springfield and Ipswich campuses, additional measures, including the wearing of masks, remain in place for 14 days until 5.59PM on Friday, 16 July 2021. Lockdown restrictions for City of Brisbane and Moreton Bay region Local Government areas are extended until 6.00PM Saturday, 3 July 2021. Mask requirements at USQ Springfield and USQ Ipswich You will still be required to wear a mask when visiting our Springfield and Ipswich campuses as per Government advice. We are also extending the requirement for masks for all users whilst on board USQ's shuttle buses. Remember if you have any symptoms at all, it is important that you do not come on campus, get tested and immediately isolate until a negative result is received. Support for you If you have questions or need advice, the iconnect team is here to support you via Zoom and chat, or you can join the supportive USQ iconnect Facebook group. Please stay safe and look after yourself and your loved ones. Regards Professor Josh Pienaar |
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| To: Students enrolled in Semester 2, 2021 | From: Pro Vice-Chancellor (Students) | Subject: USQ Update | Three-day lockdown and campus closures | |
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Following the announcement from Queensland Premier Anastacia Palaszczuk this morning regarding a three-day lockdown, our Ipswich and Springfield campuses will be closed as of 4pm today, 29 June 2021, until 6pm Friday, 2 July 2021. According to the Government announcement, everyone living in the identified Local Government areas is required to stay home over the three-day lockdown period. Anyone who has been in the affected areas on or since 6pm Tuesday, 29 June 2021 is also required to follow the lockdown rules even if they are no longer in those areas. Students and staff will not be able to attend either the Ipswich or Springfield campus until 6pm Friday, 2 July 2021 and will also not be permitted to leave the affected Local Government areas, which includes travel to the Toowoomba campus, QCWT or Mt Kent Observatory. Any students with Residential Schools, placements, or other on-campus learning activities who are impacted by the lockdown, will be notified of any changes as necessary. Students should also follow any additional advice received from their placement provider, including students currently on placement. The inter-campus shuttle buses will not be operating as of Wednesday 30 June. This is a rapidly evolving situation, and we will continue to keep you informed as changes occur. Please ensure that you keep checking your student email as well as the Queensland Government and Queensland Health websites for information. Support for you If you have questions or need advice, the iconnect team is here to support you via Zoom and chat, or you can join the supportive USQ iconnect Facebook group. Please stay safe and look after yourself and your loved ones. Regards Professor Josh Pienaar |
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| To: Students enrolled in Semester 2, 2021 | From: Pro Vice-Chancellor (Students) | Subject: USQ Update |New COVID-19 Restrictions | |
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Following the announcement from Queensland Premier Anastacia Palaszczuk this morning, from 1.00am tomorrow morning, Tuesday 29 June 2021, a number of new restrictions will be in place. Masks will be required in the following Queensland local government areas: Noosa, Sunshine Coast, Ipswich, Logan City, Redlands, Moreton Bay, Brisbane, Gold Coast, the Scenic Rim, Lockyer Valley, and Somerset. As a result, masks must be carried on your person at our Springfield and Ipswich campuses. Masks must be worn where you cannot physically distance unless you have a lawful reason not to and I encourage you to commence wearing masks today. The inter-campus shuttle buses will continue to operate however I encourage students to reconsider travel between campuses for the next two weeks. Masks will be mandatory on the shuttle bus. All travellers to the Toowoomba campus from the affected local government areas are required to follow the same mask restrictions that apply to those affected local government areas. A reminder to monitor hotspots and follow the necessary directions provided by the Queensland Government. Masks will be available from iConnect if you have not brought one to campus. Please remember that if you have any symptoms, to go and get tested and continue to monitor the current situation. Support for you If you have questions or need advice, the iconnect team is here to support you via Zoom and chat, or you can join the supportive USQ iconnect Facebook group. Regards Professor Josh Pienaar |
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| To: Registered students | From: Pro Vice-Chancellor (Students) | Subject: USQ Graduations | An update on your celebration event | |
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Following the announcement from Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk this morning, we are pleased to advise that the celebration events planned for Monday 12 April - Thursday 15 April 2021 are scheduled to go ahead. Regards Professor Josh Pienaar |
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| To:All students | From:Pro Vice-Chancellor (Students) | Subject:USQ Update | Studying in Semester 1, 2021 | |
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Following the announcement from Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk this morning, a three-day lockdown will apply to the Greater Brisbane area from 5.00pm today. Any impacted students must follow the Government advice. For example, student residents in the Greater Brisbane area cannot travel to the USQ Toowoomba campus. On-campus activities at USQ Springfield and USQ Ipswich Monday 29 March 2021 Scheduled on-campus learning activities at our Ipswich and Springfield campuses will be transitioned to online as of 3.00pm today, Monday 29 March 2021. All classes scheduled to conclude by 3.00pm today will proceed, unless otherwise communicated through your StudyDesk. Other learning activities scheduled to conclude after 3.00pm will be transitioned to online today, where practical, or rescheduled. Course-specific information will be communicated through StudyDesk by the teaching staff for your individual courses. Students should also follow any additional advice received from their placement provider, including students currently on placement. Arrangements for the rest of this week If you live in or visited the Local Government areas of Brisbane, Logan, Moreton, Redlands and Ipswich including Springfield, you are required to stay home over the three-day lockdown, in accordance with Queensland Government advice. For the balance of this week, Ipswich and Springfield staff and students will be working and learning from home. Students with scheduled practical laboratories, Residential Schools, placements, or other mandatory on-campus learning activities, will receive specific information about changes to planned activities from their course teaching staff through StudyDesk. Inter-campus shuttle bus The inter-campus shuttle buses will continue to operate today, Monday 29 March. If you have travelled on the campus shuttle bus this morning, you are encouraged to return to your point of origin using the earliest bus. See the inter-campus shuttle bus timetable for more information. The inter-campus shuttle buses will not be operating from Tuesday 30 March – Thursday 1 April 2021, inclusive. Getting Tested If you have any symptoms at all, get tested immediately and quarantine at home until you receive a negative result. You can find your nearest testing facility on the interactive map available on the Queensland Health website. Support for you If you have questions or need advice, the iconnect team is here to support you via Zoom and chat, or you can join the supportive USQ iconnect Facebook group. Please stay safe and look after yourself and your loved ones. Regards Professor Josh Pienaar |
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| To:All students | From:Pro Vice-Chancellor (Students) | Subject: USQ Update | Studying in Semester 1, 2021 | |
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We look forward to welcoming you to Semester 1 2021. Studying in Semester 1 2021
Staying safe on campus The University of Southern Queensland is committed to providing a safe environment for learning. Physical distancing should be observed to the extent possible. You can find answers to your questions online, any time, through Ask USQ FAQs, live chat, or connect with the iconnect team, your first point of contact when you need information, 7 days a week. You can also join the supportive USQ iconnect Facebook group. Regards Professor Josh Pienaar |
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| To: All students | From: Pro Vice-Chancellor (Students) | Subject: USQ Update | Studying during COVID in 2021 | |
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Welcome to the University of Southern Queensland in 2021. Continuing to make your education a priority in these uncertain times isn't easy, and I congratulate you for choosing to do so this year. Our commitment to you The University of Southern Queensland is committed to providing a safe environment for learning and to support this we have developed the following principles:
What can I expect this year? Your learning experiences in 2021 have been designed to include opportunities for student-teacher, student-student and student-industry interaction and collaboration, regardless of whether you are studying online or on-campus. You can find the latest information on our Studying during COVID webpage. All lectures will continue to be delivered online, recorded and available on StudyDesk, your online learning platform. There will not be any on-campus or face-to-face lectures in 2021. When do I need to be on-campus? Exams Exams will be conducted online. in 2021. Practical, professional and performance-related assessment may be held on-campus. Oral assessment may be conducted face-to-face or online. Placements Placements will continue to be managed with our placement providers and considering your safety as our first priority. If you are, or likely to be impacted by any changes, we will advise you as necessary and encourage you to regularly check your emails for advice. Support Services You can find answers to your questions online, any time, through Ask USQ FAQs, live chat, or connect with the iconnect team, your first point of contact when you need information, 7 days a week. You can also join the supportive USQ iconnect Facebook group. Regards
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| To: All students | From: Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor (Students) | Subject: USQ | Re-opening of USQ campuses | |
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The Queensland Government has today announced the easing of COVID-19 restrictions for residents living in the Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, Moreton and Redlands areas from 6.00pm Monday 11 January 2021. As a result, USQ Springfield and USQ Ipswich will reopen tomorrow Tuesday 12 January 2021. Face mask requirements In an effort to minimise the risk of community transmission of COVID-19, the Queensland Government has mandated the use of face masks in indoor areas. In line with the latest restrictions, when visiting either USQ Springfield or Ipswich, you will be required to wear a face mask. In addition to the reopening of campuses, the USQ Shuttle Bus will resume services on Tuesday 12 January, however all passengers will be required to wear face masks while on the bus. For more information and advice on the use of face masks, along with detailed information on the current restrictions in place, please see the Queensland Government's recent COVID-19 update. While this is great news for Queensland, we remind all students that if you have any symptoms, you are required to get tested immediately and quarantine at home until you receive a negative result. You can find your nearest testing facility on the interactive map available on the Queensland Health website. Support for you We will continue to provide updates to the University's response via our Studying during COVID-19 website. If you have questions or need advice, the iconnect team is here to support you via Zoom and chat. This is also a great time to join the USQ iconnect Facebook group to keep up to date. The Health and Wellness Team are also available to support you at this time with a range of resources. Research students are encouraged to contact the Graduate Research School at grs@usq.edu.au with any questions. We thank you for your continued efforts to keep the USQ community safe throughout this period. Regards Belinda Reimers |
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| To: All students | From: Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor (Students) | Subject: USQ | Greater Brisbane lockdown and campus closures | |
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The Queensland Government has announced today that residents living in the Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, Moreton and Redlands areas will be required to stay home from Friday 8 January 6.00pm until Monday 11 January 6.00pm. This is to minimise the risk of community transmission of the UK strain of COVID-19. As a result of this advice, the University's Springfield and Ipswich campuses will be closed from today, Friday 8 January 4.00pm, and will re-open on Tuesday 12 January, unless otherwise advised by Queensland Health. Please note that the inter-campus shuttle buses will not be operating on Monday. Any impacted students must follow the Government advice. For example, student residents in the Greater Brisbane area cannot travel to the USQ Toowoomba campus. Students with scheduled Residential Schools, placements, or other on-campus learning activities commencing next week, will receive specific information today about any changes to planned activities. Students should also follow any additional advice received from their placement provider, including students currently on placement. If you have any symptoms at all, get tested immediately and quarantine at home until you receive a negative result. You can find your nearest testing facility on the interactive map available on the Queensland Health website. This is a rapidly evolving situation, and we will be providing regular updates via email, and Studying during COVID-19 website, to keep you informed of the University's response to the Queensland Health advice. Support for you If you have questions or need advice, the iconnect team is here to support you via Zoom and chat, or you can join the supportive USQ iconnect Facebook group. The Health and Wellness Team are also available to support you at this time with a range of resources. Research students are encouraged to contact the Graduate Research School team at grs@usq.edu.au. Please stay safe and look after yourself and your loved ones. Regards Belinda Reimers |
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