Kia ora ,

Moving to Alert Level 2 – Update from Student President

Yesterday afternoon we heard from the Prime Minister that the country will be moving from Alert Level 3 to Alert Level 2 from Thursday 14 May.

What does this mean for Unitec students? A phased transition back to campus

As outlined in the Moving to Alert Level 2 guidelines on the COVID-19 website, the key directive is that education providers can re-open under Alert Level 2, and all activity on our campuses must adhere to strict physical distancing and Health & Safety guidelines.

In response, Unitec is planning a phased transition back to campus. This means a limited number of select staff – both academic and support staff – and students  are able to return to campus from the week of Monday 18 May.

Students who can return to campus for specific courses will be informed in advance by their course lecturers ahead of next week. It is important to attend these classes to ensure your successful completion of the course. 

Alert Level 2 principles and processes

Alert Level Requirements framework lays out the following key principles for Alert Level 2:

• Remote teaching and working options must stay in place for most programmes and staff. A limited number of staff and students will be allowed on campus from the week of Monday 18 May, as we’ve had under Alert Level 3.
• Classes, lectures, labs, workshops, tutorials and meetings are allowed, but must be strictly managed to ensure physical distancing requirements and attendance records are met – contact tracing is critical.
• All students, staff and contractors coming on-site must first complete a Health & Safety induction.
• Good hygiene practices must be maintained and people must stay at home if they feel sick.
• Both campus facilities will remain closed until the end of May when we will review re-opening dates. The Copy Centre is operating on a ‘click and collect’ basis.

Teaching teams

Unitec has devised a system of Priority 1 Access (‘Required’) and Priority 2 Access (‘Optional’) for teaching teams for the remainder of Semester 1. Your course lecturer will let you know if you are required to attend classes on-campus.

Support teams

Most support staff will stay online and off-campus until the end of May. Te Puna Waiora Health Centre as an essential service, will remain open throughout lockdown to support the health needs of our students and staff. The team are based on the Ground Floor of Te Puna (Building 180), Mt Albert Campus.

You may have further questions. To help answer these please check out more info here as we will be updating these pages regularly.

I would like to remind again that students should not return to either of our campuses unless you have received communication approval from your course lecturer.

Kia Kaha Unitec Students

Helen Vea
Student President