Kia ora koutou Further to my all-staff email earlier this week, I am writing today with an update on how continued developments around COVID-19 are likely to impact the University, and to outline a way in which I believe we might best be able to prepare for a number of scenarios. The Strategic Response Team has been systematically thinking through a complex range of issues and modelling options that will enable our campus community to continue to deliver and experience the world class education and research experience to which the University of Auckland aspires.

Teaching Free Week

Firstly, I can confirm that next week (23 to 27 March) will be designated a Teaching Free Week, in which teaching across the University will be suspended. Students who usually attend classes will not be required to come into campus, but are free to do so if they wish. This arrangement applies to all of our campuses, but not to teaching for students on placement or practicum which will continue as planned, or to research students. In-class tests scheduled for next week will be postponed and replaced by off-campus assessment exercises. Students will be notified of the form and timing of these exercises as soon as possible. All student services will remain open and operate on standard hours, including libraries, Kate Edger Information Commons, AskAuckland Central, Recreation Centre, retail outlets, as well as all our student accommodation. The purpose of the Teaching Free Week is to allow our staff to focus on completing their plans and preparations for remote teaching in the event of a partial campus closure in response to COVID-19 (see below). This work will ensure that all of our students have the best possible learning experience, albeit perhaps in alternative formats. I also understand that staff would prefer to make an orderly transition to online delivery, if this is to be at scale for any length of time. It will also allow students to prepare for digital learning via online tools. There will be a range of on-campus support available to help students next week, including support guides and drop-in clinics. The intention is for the University to be able to be in full digital teaching and learning mode from the following week (30 March) onwards if required. Semester 1 will be extended by one week to account for the break, meaning that Semester 2 timing may also shift slightly. We do require all staff who are involved in teaching to be on campus next week to work with their faculty teams to develop their teaching plans and to prepare for remote teaching.

Preparations for possible campus closure