COVID 19 wrap

Deakin U stumps up $25m for international students

Vice Chancellor Iain Martin announced the fund late Thursday. That internationals cannot return to their homes and are ineligible for Australian public funding leaves them in “an untenable position” Professor Martin said. “Our additional hardship support will prevent students from falling through the cracks during the difficult months ahead. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our international students.”

Monash U management cop a cut

The vice chancellor and senior executives will contribute pay to COVID-19 relief. Some 10 per cent of pay packets will go to a student support fund and 10 per cent to university revenue.

Uni Melbourne student assistance

Support includes an Emergency Support Fund, with payments up to $7500 for students, “suffering hardship.” VC Duncan Maskell told staff Thursday an eye-watering 60 000 UGs, PGs and graduate researchers without stipends are eligible. There is also $7 500 available for international students, “who were affected by travel restrictions in Semester One.” FT doctoral students coming up to three years also get a six-month extension with 12 months for part-timers.

Swinburne U faces its biggest-ever crisis

On the basis of pre-census analysis Swinburne U faces a full-year fall in revenue of $75 to $150m. “Swinburne is in the midst of the most significant crisis we have ever faced,” VC Linda Kristjanson tells staff.

“To protect jobs and limit the impact on our people, we must work together to reduce costs and manage our cash flow,” she says. With possible losses of around $3m a week on average protecting and limiting with take spectacularly reducing and managing.

The university will have final student numbers after census date, (tomorrow).

 Uni Auckland to stay on top level alert

Vice Chancellor Dawn Freshwater (ex UWA) says the university will stay physically closed until the start of second semester (July 27) even if the government reduces the existing level of contact-restrictions.

“The rationale for this decision is that there is more to consider than just the alert level – we also need to take into account the stability of the alert level and the practicalities of re-opening our campuses.”

Uni Adelaide student support

The university and student union jointly announce a COVID-19 student support package. It “consolidates” existing services and provides a safety-net, “for those of you experiencing significant hardship and without access to support elsewhere.” It includes hardship grants, emergency accommodation, food vouchers and IT access. Details will be available today.

 Swinburne U to start late in ‘21

The university has followed the Victorian Government’s wish to see a delayed start to the next academic year. This is in-line with the government’s decision to move schooling on-line and delay end of year exams to “at least” December. The university says it, “is adapting our approach and working with secondary schools and VTAC to help students enter their desired course,” but Swinburne makes no mention of when classes will commence.