2021 News and Updates

• Recent feedback from students on the Spring/2H examinations period shows that it was well received, both regarding the proctoring process and the proctors. Student satisfaction in the proctoring process was 88% and satisfaction with proctors was 93%. This is a wonderful testament to the dedication and perseverance of staff at the University.

• There have been no further confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the University community since mid-November. The total number of cases remains at 17 (14 students and three staff members). As more restrictions are relaxed in the lead-up to the festive season, it is vital to be cautious, stay safe and continue taking simple steps to protect yourself and those around you. Staff and students are advised to seek testing even for the mildest of symptoms, and please advise the University if you are directed to self-isolate or if you have been tested.

• As we commence Summer session and with the end-of-year shutdown period coming up, below is a breakdown of the services available in the coming months:
  
  • The Library: Through Summer session, the Library will be open to Western students and staff with a current ID card, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm and on the weekend at identified campuses under after-hours Library Study Hall conditions. While on campus, if you need help you can video chat to Library staff at the Digital Service Desk. If you are off campus, you can phone, live chat or email the Online Librarian with your library query. The Library will be closed from 17 December 2020 to 3 January 2021.
  • Study Hall: Study Hall spaces across our campuses will be closed during the Christmas closedown, from 17 December to 3 January.
    
  • IT Services: The IT Service Desk will be open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm until Wednesday 16 December. Over the Christmas/New Year period, there will be some changes to the opening hours, as follows:
    
    • Thursday 17 December: 9am to 5pm
      
    • Friday 18 December: 8am to 6pm
      
    • Monday 21 December to Thursday 24 December: 9am to 5pm
      
    • Friday 25 December to Sunday 3 January: Closed
      
  • Support Services: From Thursday 17 December to Sunday 3 January, Western’s support services will be limited to urgent issues related to welfare, financial assistance and counselling through an on-call arrangement only. For assistance, please email coronavirussupport@westernsydney.edu.au
    
  • Coronavirus Support: The Coronavirus Support Hotline will be closed from 25 December to 3 January, with the exception of 29 and 30 December. However, the email queue will be operational in a limited capacity throughout this time, so we recommend emailing enquiries you may have over this period to coronavirussupport@westernsydney.edu.au
    

• From 30 November, the University will progress to Stage 4 of the return to campus plan. The recent decrease in community transmission of COVID-19 in New South Wales is encouraging news as we continue to plan our return to campus, and we are looking forward to increasing activity on all our campuses.
  

• Below is an overview of what staff and students can expect in the coming months of the return to campus plan: 
  • In Summer session, all lectures will remain online but the University will see an increase in the number of students who will be attending face-to-face tutorials and workshops, with most practicals being on-campus. 
  • In Autumn/1H session next year, lectures will continue online, however the University is planning for tutorials and workshops to take place on campus, along with seminars, research events and conferences. A flexible model of delivery for some classes will be introduced, which may include the option for students to choose whether to attend a class with a teacher online or in person, or catch-up on the class afterwards. With the health and safety of all students and staff in mind, full details are yet to be finalised, including the timetabling of classes to ensure students are able to attend class in a safe way while the pandemic is ongoing.
  • Students will receive their timetables in January, which will provide information on how the class activity will be delivered (online, face to face or a mix of both). Students are able to check the Important Dates webpage for details on when their timetable will be published.
    
  • The return of activities such as field work and laboratory research will continue to be managed at a local level, dependent on School/Institute approval. Even more Higher Degree Research students will return to campus.
  • More staff will begin to return to campus to support relevant services. 

• The University has now supported more than 2,000 students through the Student Assistance Fund, with more than $2.3 million provided in emergency funds, grocery vouchers and other support. The University will continue to assist students into 2021 through the Student Assistance Fund. From 23 November, the application process for accessing support via the Fund will be changing. Applications will now be open until the Autumn session census date (31 March 2021) via the existing domestic and international onshore student application forms, and students will be asked to provide relevant documentation before ongoing support will be provided. Any approved support will be valid for the duration of Summer and/or Autumn/1H sessions (dependent on student’s enrolment status) and, if a student needs further support, they will be required to apply again for Spring/2H session.
  

• This week the NSW Government announced the border between NSW and Victoria will reopen from 23 November. This is an encouraging step forward, and particularly good news for students and staff who may be involved in interstate research activities.

• Since the last COVID-19 cases update, the University has been advised of a positive COVID-19 case for one of our offshore students. As always, the University is in regular contact with this student to offer our support and we wish them well. The total number of cases reported in our community is now 16 (13 students and three staff).

• Stage 4 of the return to campus plan will commence on 30 November and we are on track to move into Stage 5 from 22 February 2021. In Stage 5, we will see a much fuller activation of our campuses – we will move to holding more events on campus, and the number of professional staff will increase significantly. However, please be mindful that things will look different – COVID-safe arrangements will be in place, as well as more flexible working arrangements for staff. The Return to Campus plan has now been updated to provide more information on the activity we are anticipating.

• As we move towards Stage 4 and Stage 5 of our return to campus plan, it is important staff and students follow the simple steps outlined below:
  • If you are feeling unwell, please stay home and do not attend campus. If you are being tested for COVID-19, you must let the University know.
  • Academic and Professional staff must complete the mandatory training module ‘Reducing the Transmission of COVID-19 at Work’, available through MyCareer Online, or the refresher module if it has been 12 weeks since last completed.
  • As mentioned earlier this week, the use of QR codes is being expanded across our campuses to help the University with contact tracing as needed.
  • Simple hygiene practices, such as maintaining physical distancing measures, regular handwashing, cleaning up after yourself and not sharing utensils, are vital in helping to stop the virus spreading. 

• From 30 November, all campus-based Higher Degree Research (HDR) students who wish to return to campus will have the opportunity to do so. Field work will be reviewed at a local level. Research that involves interstate travel will be subject to current border restrictions and associated government regulations. Laboratory research will also be reviewed locally by Schools and Institutes, with priority access given to students who are preparing to complete their research projects.

• We are building in more flexibility into our teaching and learning. We intend to continue with content delivery (e.g. lectures) online, as our students tell us this is working well. We hope that much of our content engagement – tutorials, workshops and seminars – will be able to be held in small groups on campus, as we know these are activities that students particularly value and can be difficult to replicate online. Laboratories and practicals will be on campus, where it is possible to maintain a safe environment and physical distancing measures.

• The University continues to support students in need through the Student Assistance Fund. So far, we have supported over 2,000 students, with over $2.3 million provided in emergency funds, grocery vouchers and other support. Staff have contributed $831,155 so far, which is wonderful to see – thank you to all who have donated to support our vulnerable students.

• This year the University cancelled all on-campus graduation ceremonies. Instead, we are implementing virtual graduation ceremonies for almost 6,000 graduates. These will be held online from 23 to 26 November. We hope to return to traditional ceremonies by April next year, but of course this will depend on government regulations at the time.

• We have been advised that one of our students has tested positive to COVID-19, which brings the total number of cases in our community to 15 (12 students and three staff). The student has not attended campus since August and is currently isolating at home. The University is in regular contact with this student and we are providing as much support as we can. Please remember it is essential that you advise the University via the Coronavirus Hotline if you have been directed to self-isolate, you have been tested or you are seeking testing for COVID-19.

• This November, the University will hold a series of Postgraduate Information webinars. These informative sessions are a great way to hear about what is involved in postgraduate study, the courses available and how the University can support students postgraduate journey. Visit the Postgraduate Information Sessions webpage to view the schedule and register for a session.

• Stage 4 of the return to campus plan will commence on 30 November in line with the start of the Summer session. In the coming months, more students will be on campus for required practicals, lab research, Higher Degree Research study and a limited number of research events, symposia and conferences. Additionally, local fieldwork will continue and interstate fieldwork will commence in line with government restrictions and University approval.

• Classes in Autumn/1H will be a mix of high-quality online content delivery and campus-based teaching activities with the opportunity for more face-to-face, small group tutorials, workshops and seminars. For some units students may be offered the option to participate in an online classroom, together with students in a face-to-face class, or alternatively to complete the unit in their own time

• It is important for staff and students who are returning to campus take the necessary precautions to keep ourselves and others safe, including:
  • Stay home if you feel unwell in any way: seek medical advice, if needed, or get tested for COVID-19 (even if you have mild symptoms).
  • Scan the QR code: check in and complete the declaration before entering buildings.
  • Wash your hands: on arrival and regularly throughout the day.
  • Maintain 1.5 metres distance from others: please follow signage and floor markings on campus. Consider wearing a face mask if a distance of 1.5 metres is not possible.
  • Avoid using shared utensils and leaving rubbish: Bring and take home your own utensils (including cutlery, crockery and stationery) and clean up after yourself (e.g. throw coffee cups in the bin). Please do not share food, beverages or stationery with others.
  • Everyone is responsible for cleaning their own area: you will be provided with the necessary sanitation products.
  • Limit your time on campus to what is necessary and avoid physical contact (e.g. hugging, shaking hands) with others.

• The NSW Government recently announced changes to NSW-Victoria border restrictions, as well as changes to theatre, cinema and concert hall capacities. Please regularly review the latest news and updates.
  

• Stage 3 of our Return to Campus plan continues to progress well and planning is underway for next year's Autumn session.
  
• In the last three months, Student Wellbeing teams have had 9,241 support requests from students, a decrease on the previous three months (13,871).
  
• Western Success advisors continue to provide support to our international students, with 73% of students engaging with an advisor. Of these, 70% have been able to establish an ongoing relationship with their advisor.
  
• The University has introduced a QR code ‘check-in’ process for those entering the Library and Study Halls. This is part of our COVID Safe plan so that we can understand who is on our campus if we need to assist NSW Health with contract tracing.
  
• Our Student Assistance Fund continues to help students who are finding the pandemic particularly challenging. To date, the fund has assisted 1,930 students and disbursed more than $1.9 million in assistance.
  
• A number of restrictions are set to ease this weekend. This includes changes to community sport, school camps and dancing at weddings. I encourage to you review the latest information on the NSW Government website.
  

• The University has been advised that a student has tested positive for COVID-19 after being identified as a close contact of another confirmed case (not at the University). We extend our best wishes to them for a fast and full recovery and will continue to provide any support we can.
  
• Stay informed of the latest information on case locations, follow the hygiene and distancing measures and if you are feeling unwell, please seek medical advice as soon as possible and do not attend campus.
  

• We are currently progressing with stage 3 of the Return to Campus plan, which has seen a further increase in teaching, learning and research activities across our campuses.
  
• As we prepare for stage 4, which commences at the end of November, we’ll see more University operations adapt to our ‘new normal’.
  
• As part of our Bachelor of Health Science (Therapeutic Recreation), students are learning how to create structured recreational opportunities that are a vital part of service delivery in the home care sector. In partnership with UNITING NSW.ACT, 25 students are helping to develop virtual recreation therapy programs for real clients, tailored to their interests, strengths and goals. Read more in our News Centre article.
  

• The COVID-19 testing clinic on the Parramatta South campus continues to provide vital additional testing capacity to the Western Sydney Local Health District. Last week the clinic saw approximately 170 visits per day.
  

• The University’s mid-session break will commence on Monday 28 September, with classes to resume on Tuesday 6 October, following the Labour Day public holiday. During this time the following services will be available from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, with the exception of the Labour Day public holiday on Monday 5 October when they will be closed:
  
  
  • IT Support
  • Student Services Hub
  • Wellbeing services
  • Coronavirus Support Hotline - 02) 9852 5399 or email coronavirussupport@westernsydney.edu.au

Please note, there will be fewer than usual staff available to assist visitors due to University leave requirements. As such, you may experience some delays during this week.

• The Library will be open during the break, including the Public Holiday on Monday 5 October. Please visit the Library news web page for more information about open hours at our campuses. Library services such as the Online Librarian, Digital Service Desk and Study Smart Zooms are still available during the break – check the website for more details. After hours, Library Study Hall is running at identified campuses from 6.00pm to 12.00am, Monday to Friday. 

• Study Halls will remain open during the break, including the public holiday on Monday 5 October. Please check the Study Spaces website for locations. 

• Please remember if you are feeling unwell in any way, please do not come to campus. If you do need to come to campus, remember to practise good hygiene and maintain 1.5 metres physical distancing at all times. Please also take some time to read the University’s advice on face masks on the Coronavirus Student FAQs web page. 

• The University has been advised that one of our offshore students has tested positive for COVID-19. The student is recovering and we wish them all the best. The total number of cases in the University community is now 12 (nine students and three staff members).
  

The NSW Government has updated the advice regarding wearing masks, now strongly encouraging greater use of masks in some circumstances to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

Currently, the University is not mandating the use of face masks in most circumstances. In addition to the Government’s advice and as more activities resume on campus, the following provides guidance about using face masks at the University:

• Personal choice
  • You can wear a mask anytime, any campus
• Recommended
  • Where 1.5m physical distancing cannot be maintained (e.g. public transport and shuttle buses)
  • First aid responders on campus, per illness protocols
• Mandated
  • In clinics on campus
  • In medical and other clinical practice classes (e.g. anatomy labs)

While wearing a mask may be used as an additional measure to protect yourself, using only a mask will not prevent infection. The best ways to continue to protect yourself and others is to:

• stay at home if you are unwell;
• maintain 1.5m physical distancing when not at home;
• practise good hand hygiene; and
• cough or sneeze into your elbow, or tissue and discard the tissue into a bin immediately.

When using a face mask please ensure you are wearing the appropriate mask, it is fitted correctly and properly disposed of or washed. Further advice on using face masks is outlined by the NSW Government.

• In addition to specific hotspot locations, NSW Health is now asking anyone who lives in, or has visited a number of identified suburbs and local government areas in the past two weeks to monitor for COVID-19 symptoms and seek testing if they have even the smallest symptom, such as a runny nose or sore throat. 

• From Friday, 7 August, any NSW residents who return from Victoria must go into mandatory hotel quarantine for two weeks, at their own expense. Residents will only be permitted to return via Sydney Airport, unless they reside within NSW border regions.

Please see the NSW Government announcement for further information.

• A staff member who has just returned to Australia has tested positive to COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases in the University community to 10 (seven students and three staff members). The staff member had not attended any campuses and is currently in quarantine. 
  

• The Government is frequently updating the latest case locations in NSW. Please ensure you check these regularly, particularly if you are undertaking field work or other activities.

• If you have attended any locations of concern at the identified times, please follow the relevant advice. Depending on the location, you may either need to immediately self-isolate for 14 days and seek testing, or monitor for symptoms and then self-isolate and seek testing should any symptoms occur.

• As staff and students begin to return to campus, it is vital you are taking steps to protect yourself and others, particularly if you are travelling on public transport. Plan ahead and, if possible, avoid travelling during peak times. Please ensure you continue to practise physical distancing and good personal hygiene. Transport for NSW is also encouraging those who use public transport to wear a face mask in cases where physical distancing is not possible.

For more information, including resources on planning ahead, and what to be aware of when you travel, visit the NSW Government’s COVIDSafe Travel Choices web page. Please remember if you are feeling unwell at any time, you must stay home and not attend University

On Friday 17 July the University was notified by NSW Health that an IELTS candidate who had recently attended our Sydney Olympic Park campus has since tested positive for COVID-19.

The IELTS candidate, who is currently self-isolating, attended the Campus on Saturday 11 July to sit an exam at The College’s IELTS centre. The candidate is not a student of the University or The College, and we have no further confirmed cases amongst our student and staff community.

The University has worked closely with NSW Health to manage the situation and assist with contact tracing. NSW Health has advised us that the risk of exposure to the virus for our College staff and invigilators present on the day is very low. This is due to the comprehensive COVID risk minimisation and cleaning procedures the University has in place at the testing centre.

The University is providing support to The College staff members and invigilators who were there on the day. They have not returned to the Campus since 11 July, and have decided to self-isolate as an added precautionary measure.

If you have recently visited any of the NSW COVID-19 cluster areas, have recently visited Victoria, or experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, you should stay at home,. You should not attend campus, and should arrange for a COVID-19 test. You must notify the University’s Coronavirus Support Line.

Continue to practise good hygiene, including washing your hands thoroughly and regularly, and remain vigilant about physical distancing.

Stay up to date with the latest advice on hotspot areas and restrictions from the NSW Government and health authorities, which now includes avoiding non-essential travel and social gatherings.

From Monday 1 June, we will commence the first stage of our return to campus. This is the first of four planned stages to be implemented between now and early next year. Stage 1 will continue until mid-July and will see us addressing the need to complete practicals on campus for 15 units.

In addition to this, essential lab research, and some Higher Degree Research student presence and local field work, will recommence. These are activities that can’t be undertaken remotely and enable students to progress in their degree.

The University advises that one of our students has tested positive for COVID-19. This is the first confirmed COVID-19 case among our 48,000 students and 3,000 staff.

The student is in good spirits and experiencing mild symptoms. The student is self-isolating and we are providing support and extend our best wishes to the student for a speedy recovery.

The University has been delivering all classes online since 30 March. The only time the student attended campus in recent weeks was on 3 April to return a library book to the Liverpool campus. The student had no close contact with anyone while there.

As a precaution, we have closed the Liverpool campus until Tuesday 14 April and are undertaking a sanitising deep clean of the site. If you wish to find a quiet place to study over the weekend can find an alternate Study Hall location on our website, such as the nearby Bankstown (Milperra) campus. The health department have taken the lead on managing the student’s situation, according to their response protocols, and they are satisfied that the University has responded appropriately.

We are committed to supporting our students and staff. You’re not alone and support is available through our student and staff wellbeing and support services.

Western is open and operating. While we’re not aware of any cases within our student and staff community, we’re taking precautionary measures to reduce the risk of the spread of the virus. These precautions are to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of our students, staff and broader community.

We are:

As the coronavirus situation in Australia continues to develop, we want to share with you recent advice from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee. This confirms that the risk to the general Australian population from COVID-19 remains low.

The latest report from NSW Health states over 16,000 people in NSW have been tested for COVID-19, with 92 cases confirmed, over 14,000 excluded and just under 2,000 currently under investigation.

Here are some tips for you to consider:

All international University outbound travel is suspended for the foreseeable future.

This suspension includes all study or work-related travel to conferences, exchange programs, site visits, research-related travel, and all student group travel. HDR student travel into Australia and off shore should also be rescheduled in light of the current situation.

If you’re a HDR student and you have a question about University-related travel, please speak with your supervisor. If you have a query about group travel in which you are involved, please speak to the academic staff member leading this.

The Australian Government confirmed the existing travel restrictions will remain in place for another week, until at least Saturday 7 March.

The University is sharing the below details in alignment with WHO (World Health Organization) protocol. You will see this information displayed across campuses on posters and digital screens.

Yesterday, the Australian Government announced that the current travel restrictions would continue for another week. Here is the announcement: https://www.pm.gov.au/media/continuing-travel-ban-protect-australians-coronavirus

The University is supporting students who are currently in China and who wish to travel to Australia via another country. The University has offered a one-off $1500 subsidy to students from China who choose to spend the 14-day travel exclusion period in another country before entering Australia. This recognises the additional costs that these students will incur as they attempt to get to campus to start the year.

The Australia Government announced that the current China travel restrictions would be extended for an additional week, to 29 February. Please be reminded:

• Foreign nationals (excluding permanent residents) who are in mainland China, will not be allowed to leave or transit through mainland China and enter Australia under the current travel restrictions, which continue to be in place until 29 February.
• Australian citizens and permanent residents will still be able to enter, as will their immediate family members (spouses, legal guardians or dependents only).
• Anyone who returns to Australia must isolate themselves for 14 days from the time they leave mainland China.

Our thoughts remain with our students and colleagues currently in China who are unable to get to Australia. We will continue to support them and make alternate arrangements for students to engage in their studies from China.

The coronavirus situation is continually changing, sometimes rapidly. Western is committed to keeping our community informed of our efforts to support students & staff.

The following are short video updates from our Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Barney Glover AO.

Dean of our School of Medicine, Distinguished Professor Annemarie Hennessy shares the latest update from Western Sydney University.

• There have not been any further cases of COVID-19 in our staff and student community, with the last reported positive case reported on 16 December 2020. Despite this, please do everything you can to remain vigilant, as we have seen how quickly a small outbreak can escalate. Ensure you are following physical distancing and hygiene measures when you are away from home to keep yourself and others safe. 

• Our return to campus plan remains on track, with some adjustments, to ensure the health and safety of University staff and students is protected when on campus: 
  • If you have visited a case location, then you should follow the instructions from the NSW Government which may include staying at home. When you arrive on campus, you will need to check in by scanning a QR code. This is a vital part of our COVID-safe plan and will assist NSW Health with contract tracing if required.
  • Be prepared – staff, students and visitors may be required to wear a mask anytime, any campus. The NSW Government has advised that COVID-19 spreads more easily indoors and in settings where you can’t physically distance so it is important to carry a face mask at all times. Face masks are mandated as outlined below and also as advised by the NSW Government.
    
  • It is mandatory for anyone on campus to wear a face mask where physical distancing of 1.5 metres cannot be maintained. This includes indoor settings such as public transport and shuttle buses, eateries, events, in classrooms and office spaces. It is mandatory for staff and students to wear a facemask where instructed. For example, as a condition of entry in clinics on campus; in medical, clinical practice and other classes; first aid responders on campus, per illness protocols.

• The University is continuing to plan a return to more vibrant campus life, with some great summer series events to take part in. These will be held in accordance with COVID Safe guidelines.