USC will suspend classes at all of its Queensland campuses for one week (23-27 March) to transition to technology-enabled learning and teaching as part of the University’s response to the coronavirus epidemic.

USC’s Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Robert Elliot has notified students and staff of the planned pause to allow for the development of resources to be delivered via technology in environments where people can maintain social distancing measures.

“To assist the government’s efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 through social distancing, USC is pausing all coursework teaching and assessments at our Queensland campuses for one week from Monday 23 March,” Professor Elliot said.

“This includes all lectures, tutorial, lab classes, fieldwork, online assessments and all exams (both on campus and online) that were scheduled to occur next week.”

Professor Elliot said suspending classes for a week would enable USC to redesign its current face-to-face teaching and assessments to modes that do not require students’ personal attendance on campus.

“All our campuses will remain open and course content is available on Blackboard for students to access,” he said. “The library and study spaces will be operating and staff will be working, with additional hygiene and sanitation measures as well as enhanced social distancing measures.

“We recognise that for some of our students, food services on campus are also vital. These will remain operating, again with additional hygiene, sanitation and social distancing measures implemented.”

Professor Elliot said USC students would receive details next week regarding new arrangements for their remote learning and teaching and assessments.

— Terry Walsh