University of Otago

Alert Level 3

Updated: Wednesday 22 April, 2:30pm

Following on from Monday 20 April that the country will move to Alert Level 3 on Tuesday, April 28.  We will remain at Alert Level 3 for two weeks, before Cabinet reviews how we are tracking and makes a further decision on 11 May.

We know everyone is keen to return to normal campus life, but for the University of Otago Alert Level 3 means continuing to provide online teaching and learning as we currently are and students continuing to study from home. What this means for you is:

• Stay home. There is no significant move back on campus under Alert Level 3. When this changes – which is likely to be once the country moves to Alert Level 2 – we will notify you well ahead of time so you can be prepared and have time to return to your campus.
• Stay in your ‘bubble’. Residential colleges and UniFlats will remain open to those who have stayed during lockdown at Alert Level 4. Ministry of Health guidelines on hygiene and social distancing will remain.
• The clear advice we and you have received from Government is that if you moved to join your family, whānau or friends, you must remain in that bubble. You cannot return to your student accommodation under Alert Level 3.
• Online delivery of all papers will continue to be provided for the rest of semester 1. Internal assessments have, and will continue to be, submitted electronically for all papers. Final exams will be either an online exam or replaced by an alternative assignment submitted electronically depending on the paper – information will be placed on your paper’s Blackboard page as soon as possible. There may be scope for alternative arrangements for final exams for students for whom an online exam option is not viable.
• For a small group of students some facilities may open (i.e. for research, post-graduate teaching, lab/workshops) and we will notify directly students this applies to.
• The Government’s Student Support Package will continue under Alert Level 3. Further information can be found here. The University is also establishing a new hardship fund for students and we will be back in touch with details about this and some other financial matters as soon as possible.

We appreciate your patience, perseverance and co-operation during this unprecedented time.  We will continue to work together to make the best of this situation we all find ourselves in and we look forward to welcoming you back on campus as soon as possible.

Streaming / online lectures

Updated: Tuesday 31 March, 4:20pm

Online classes

From Monday 30 March, all University of Otago papers are moving online so you will be able to continue your learning in a digital format during the Alert Level 4 lockdown.

Please check your email for an important message about this move online.

The way in which we deliver each paper online is being specifically tailored, and your paper co‑ordinators and lecturers will be posting information on Blackboard or their usual communication channel as soon as possible, to let you know what that means for your particular papers.

If you have any general questions about moving online that are not answered by that email, or if you experience technical difficulties once we do move online, please contact AskOtago by phone on 0800 808 098 or +64 3 479 7000, or via email at university@otago.ac.nz.

Assessments

Some of you may be concerned about upcoming assessments at a time when courses are moving online and your ability to keep up with study may be disrupted by travel or other factors. All assessment deadlines will be revised to accommodate the current disruption. Please be assured that our academic staff will be showing flexibility appropriate to these exceptional times.

Library resources

All University of Otago Libraries, including the Hocken Collections, are closed.

The following online resources and services are available from the library website:

• Library Search | Ketu
• Electronic resources e.g. journals and databases
• Electronic Reserve Course Readings (accessible via Blackboard or Moodle)
• Access to Past Exam Papers
• Subject Guides
• Support for Distance Students
• Email: ask.library@otago.ac.nz
• LibChat
• Interloans (digital items only)

The following are not currently available:

• Book return. Please hold onto materials you have checked out. Overdue fines will be suspended.
• Access to physical collections including Course Reserve Readings Interlibrary loan for physical material
• Library Scan

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IT resources

Updated: Tuesday 7 April, 3:20pm

Students learning from off-campus have access to some features of ITS systems they may not be aware of.  You can interact with your lecture recording, using Zoom from home and using Microsoft Office365.  These tools and the following guides may be helpful:

Student Desktop

• Access your own virtual desktop from anywhere in the world
• Specific applications for your papers

Zoom

• Getting started for students
• Getting started: detailed information

Capture

• Quick guide to Otago Capture/Echo360 for students
• Using the Mobile app to view your lectures
• Interacting with the Lecture Recording
• Notes and Study Guide

Microsoft

• Office365 from home
• EndNote on your own device

Slow internet service at home

Any students with slow internet at home that is causing problems streaming recordings from Blackboard should download the recording to their computer first then play it from there, which will improve the experience.

Also, consider streaming or downloading the lecture when others in the bubble are not online, especially if they are streaming YouTube, Netflix or video conferencing etc.

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Lockdown and self-isolation

Updated: Wednesday 22 April, 11:15am

COVID-19 Welfare Helpline 

COVID‑19 Welfare Helplines have been established to help make sure everyone receives the support they need during the Alert Level 4 lockdown.
 
While we continue to ask people to contact the appropriate agency for help in the first instance, anyone who needs assistance in relation to emergency food, household goods/services or any other welfare-type requests can contact their regional helpline.

Regional welfare helpline information (PDF)

Residential colleges

Our residential colleges remain open and are continuing to support college students who have stayed in Dunedin during the lockdown period. AskOtago and other essential services will operate online and by phone.

AskOtago:
Freephone 0800 808 098 (within NZ)
Tel +64 3 479 7000
Email university@otago.ac.nz

Staying at home in your flat or other accommodation

Visit the NZ Government website for the latest advice

Making life easier in lockdown and self-isolation

Dunedin-based students and those temporarily living elsewhere in New Zealand during the lockdown have ongoing access to Student Health Services if they are your health provider.

Student Health Services

Otherwise if you have any concerns about your health or any respiratory symptoms, please contact your GP Practice or COVID–19 Healthline 0800 358 5453 (for COVID–19 inquiries).

Looking after your mental health wellbeing

Reach out to your usual supports, like family and friends, and talk about how you feel. We also recommend sticking to a routine such as having regular mealtimes and bedtimes, and exercising.

If you feel you are not coping, it is important to talk with a health professional. Students registered with Student Health continue to have access to their Mental Health and Wellbeing Team. Phone: 0800 479 821.

For support with grief, anxiety, distress or mental well‑being, you can call or text 1737 – free, anytime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – to talk with a trained counsellor.

Visit the MoH website on managing your mental well‑being

Regular well-being checks from AskOtago

Regular well-being checks are available to any students, across our campuses, who are remaining in flats, private accommodation or our residential colleges during the Alert Level 4 lockdown. The intention of well-being checks is that those feeling particularly isolated from friends and family during the lockdown can receive extra advice and support.

Please register with AskOtago by email university@otago.ac.nz and put “well–being checks” in the subject line.

The number for AskOtago if you wish to call them is 0800 80 80 98.

Unipol online

Unipol online content for staying well and safe

OUSA support hub

OUSA student support has gone virtual. You can now access their support online:

ousasupporthub.org.nz

FACE COVID

While in self-isolation, it helps to focus on what is in your control.

FACE COVID (PDF) provides some helpful tips.

Student Health

Updated: Wednesday 22 April, 11:50pm

Student Health Services are still available during the COVID 19 Lockdown.

Student Health continues to provide primary health care and advice to all Otago students, regardless of where you currently are in New Zealand. This includes students who are usually based in Christchurch, Invercargill, Auckland and Wellington.

However, there are major changes to how they provide services and the services available. The changes have been made to minimise risk to students and staff.

Further information about Student Health services

COVID-19

If you are concerned that you might have COVID 19 – call the COVID 19 Healthline for advice.

If you phone the COVID 19 Healthline and they refer you to the CBAC for testing, please advise AskOtago, phone on 0800 808 098 or +64 3 479 7000, or via email at university@otago.ac.nz.

Important phone numbers

• COVID‑19 Healthline 0800 358 5453(Within New Zealand)
• Healthline 0800 611 116(Within New Zealand)
• Student Health 0800 479 821(Within New Zealand)
• Dunedin Urgent Doctors +64 3 479 2900
• Emergency Psychiatric Services 0800 467 846Option 2 (Within New Zealand
• You can also Free Call or Free Text 1737 to speak to a trained counsellor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Emergencies dial 111

Flu vaccine

Free flu vaccinations will be provided to all students.

Further information can be found here.

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Student services

Updated: Tuesday 21 April, 3:45pm

These services are available for you to access online:

• Career Development Centre
• Disability Information and Support
• Office of Student Success
• Pacific Islands Centre
• Proctor’s Office and Campus Watch
• Social Impact Studio
• Student Learning Development
• Te Huka Mātauraka – Māori Centre
• Te Whare Tāwharau

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Adjusting your study habits for learning online

Updated: Friday 3 April, 2:15pm

The world is a very different place than it was a few short weeks ago. It’s okay to feel uncertain about everything at the moment, and it’s okay to be unsure about what to do.

You’ve put so much hard work into the year already and have learnt so much – keep it up! The staff at the University of Otago are here to support you, help you stay connected and help you succeed with your studies at this very strange time.

Adjusting your study habits for learning online

Health and hygiene

Updated: Thursday 16 April, 4:55pm

Stopping the spread of COVID‑19

Fundamental to the nationwide efforts to contain the spread of COVID‑19 is avoiding putting yourself or others at risk if you are unwell.

Visit the NZ Government website for the latest advice

0800 VIRUS19 – New call centre for assessment and referrals for possible COVID‑19 testing in Dunedin, Invercargill, and Queenstown

A new centralised call service and free phone number – 0800 VIRUS19 (0800 847 8719) – is helping streamline assessment and possible testing for COVID‑19 in the Southern region (Dunedin, Invercargill, and Queenstown).

The new service, based at WellSouth’s Dunedin office, has been set up for patients to inquire about and to access COVID‑19 testing. The new service also helps ensure that patients who don’t need testing, will not have to ‘leave their bubble’ unnecessarily.

Six phone lines are staffed by clinicians who assess and triage patients and refer, where appropriate, for testing.

Patients can go on to be tested at a Community Based Assessment Centre (CBAC), their own general practice or a designated practice, whichever is most appropriate and convenient.

Testing for COVID‑19 is being conducted by most general practices, at three CBACs in the Southern region – in Dunedin, Invercargill, and Queenstown.

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International travel

Updated: Monday 30 March, 1pm

Student visas

Students with expiring visas with an expiry date of 1 April 2020 or earlier  and who are unable to leave New Zealand must apply on-line for a new visa. An interim visa will be issued.

Students with expiring visas with an expiry date of 2 April to 9 July 2020 inclusive who are in New Zealand on 2 April 2020 will have their visas extended to 25 September 2020. Confirmation of extensions will be emailed to all visa holders.

To keep updated on travel restrictions and visa information visit the Immigration website.

Students currently abroad

The New Zealand government is urging all New Zealanders currently travelling overseas to return home as soon as possible. This advice is directly applicable to all New Zealand Citizens and Permanent Residents currently overseas, including:

• All students currently on overseas placement or exchange

The Government’s announcement is made in the context of a COVID‑19 situation that includes significant and ongoing reductions in the number of international flights that are still available.

The University anticipates that all affected students will now make arrangements consistent with this government advice, working with their travel agents and airlines to confirm options for returning home.

For the most up‑to‑date travel information we recommend you regularly check the New Zealand Safe Travel website.