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Students at the University of Auckland say they are “dismayed” that people in classes of up to 300 are expected to return to campus next week despite the coronavirus pandemic.
Following Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s announcement that Auckland would remain at coronavirus alert level 2.5 until at least Monday, the University of Auckland outlined its “post-September 21” teaching plan.
He said that all teaching activity would be reunited on campus for courses with fewer than 300 students.
CATHERINE REISS / Things
The University of Auckland announced its “post-21 September” teaching plan to students on Monday.
Conferences for classes with 300+ students will be delivered online only.
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The university said exams would begin again on campus and that the normal seating arrangement would cause students to physically move away.
Students who are unable to attend an exam due to illness or unforeseen circumstances may request compassionate consideration, at a cost of $ 50.
Several students contacted Stuff and spoke online about his concerns.
A resident advisor to the University of Auckland halls of residence said several residents appeared to be “extremely distressed” when they learned Monday night that they were expected to return to campus.
The resident advisor, who declined to be named for fear of losing his job, said he and his colleagues were doing the best they could to support the students in their care, but faced their own financial, family and emotional stressors.
Many resident advisers are older students, struggling to keep up with their own studies, he said.
“Their expectations of us are simply not practical. We were trained very thoroughly. But we were not trained for a pandemic. “
The hallways of the residences were near their maximum capacity and, although the common areas had been closed, the resident advisor stated that many students did not meet the physical distancing requirements, which were very difficult for the police advisers.
The university expected students to return to campus and work at the same rate as before the closure of Level 4 in April, but “it is not feasible.”
“[It’s] the antithesis of what we are asking for. We feel completely powerless. We don’t feel heard, ”said the resident advisor.
Third-year law student Sam Meyerhoff said he wanted to go back, but said there was “no way” to distance himself socially.
He was most concerned about six of his classes, which had just under 300 students. They were usually crowded and people often struggled to find a seat, he said.
He did not believe that the university had considered the safety of the students or that they had been consulted.
Catherine Reiss / Things
Resident advisers say they are “not trained for a pandemic.” (File photo)
One student, who asked to remain anonymous, said he was “shocked” by the decision.
“We as students cannot make a change and we are very concerned about attending lectures, tests and exams in person.
“The students also launched a petition to restore learning and assessments completely online, which gathered nearly 6,000 signatures. Although no resolution emerged from this. “
Another student, who is in her sophomore year, said the university had “failed” to listen to the concerns.
“While we understand that learning on campus would be beneficial to our education and while we understand that the assembly limits do not extend to educational facilities, we do not believe that the university should take the risk.
“While online learning is not the same, it is safer under current circumstances.”
University of Auckland associate professor Jan Eldridge said she could understand why students had concerns, and so could she.
Eldridge said he could understand the importance of getting back to learning on campus, but moving around campus and teaching three different classes meant everyone would move around a lot of people.
He said that staff had not been asked for their opinion of the university’s decision.
“It is natural to be afraid and if people are afraid it is good because we will try to stay safe.”
The Acting President of the Auckland University Student Association (AUSA), Emma Rogers, said there was a divide between students who wanted to return and those who did not.
TARANA RADIO
University of Auckland microbiologist Siouxsie Wiles speaks with Radio Tarana’s Vandhna Bhan on topics related to the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, there was more pressure for the university to adopt a “flexible approach” and allow students to decide whether or not they needed to be on campus.
Most science and engineering students wanted to go back to campus because of the way they learn, Rogers said.
A spokeswoman for the University of Auckland said the teaching plan would go ahead even if Auckland remains at level 2.5.
“We sought and received advice from our student associations who indicated that many students wanted to return to class and were concerned that they had limited time on campus this year.
“In particular, student representatives indicated that the practical components of the courses were vitally important for their resumption on campus.”
The spokeswoman said her facilities would allow “safe social distancing” for 300 or fewer students.
The university would not consider waiving a fee for students requesting compassionate consideration.
Auckland University of Technology said teaching would continue after a mid-semester break on September 21.
For the remainder of the year, each faculty will determine whether Auckland is at alert level 2.5, 2, or 1, online, on campus, or a combination of both teaching styles.
“The exams will be exceptional for the rest of the year,” said an AUT spokeswoman.
“The faculties will decide on the exams that are absolutely necessary to comply with the professional registration requirements or when there is another equally solid reason for taking them.”
Whenever possible, a physical distance of one meter is still necessary.
A Massey University spokeswoman said it is also providing online and in-person learning whenever possible.
“The decision earlier this year to stay with online lectures was made to ensure that students had minimal disruption in the event New Zealand experiences additional Covid-19 cases and lockdown measures.”
