Wednesday 23 February 2022

Omicron response: Further restrictions to campus access

Kia ora koutou

I hope you’ve all been enjoying the beautiful weather lately. 

Many of our teaching teams are in the process of welcoming tauira to their new year of learning; I know you’re all doing a fantastic job of welcoming them to Unitec and setting them up for a positive year ahead, despite the continuing challenges thrown at us by Covid-19.

Confirmed Unitec Covid-19 policy

Thank you to everyone who read and provided feedback on our draft Covid-19 policy. This policy outlines how we’ll respond to the ongoing pandemic to ensure we’re keeping our staff and students safe, including our position on the Covid-19 Protection Framework (CPF) and vaccination requirements. 26 people contributed feedback, with 17 respondents providing positive feedback and 7 with negative feedback/suggestions. As a result of the feedback, we’ve made some changes to the policy. Note that we’ll review and update the policy as necessary when the Government releases new direction and information.

Read the confirmed Unitec Covid-19 policy 

Further campus restrictions, commencing Thursday evening

We’ve made the decision to reduce campus activities, in response to a number of confirmed cases of Omicron among our staff and students. This means, commencing 5pm Thursday:

• Until further notice, everyone who can work from home should do so
• Any courses that can only be taught face-to-face can continue on campus; lecturers please continue to contact students if there are changes to how you are teaching courses
• For new students, we are still encouraging teaching staff to organise a first visit to meet kanohi-ki-te-kanohi for whakawhanaungatanga (relationship-building); teaching staff please define and communicate the arrangements to your students around this, then where possible teach online 
• Teams supporting students and our essential campus safety and infrastructure can remain on campus, observing Red level health and safety guidelines
• No visitors are allowed on campus unless arranged as a critical need
• Te Noho Kotahitanga Marae and our Pacific Centre will be closed
• Managers will determine if mahi can be done onsite; please discuss with your manager if you need to work on campus
• If you need to collect equipment, printing etc, please continue to do so but restrict your movement around campus and stay only as long as necessary
• The library and retailers (e.g. Long Black and Breaktime) remain open.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we navigate the Omicron outbreak. Our decisions are made primarily with the health and safety of our tauira and kaimahi in mind, and to give you certainty of your work arrangements for the next few weeks.

I will continue updating you regularly on our response to Omicron and any changes to this guidance.

Please talk to your manager, DCE or contact me directly if you have any questions or concerns.  

Ngā mihi

Gus Gilmore
Chief Executive