Hi all,

I hope everyone’s travelling as well as can be expected, staying as healthy and sane as possible, and generally getting through OK.

I want to apologise for the radio silence about these matters – it’s been a frustrating period waiting for concrete advice (from both public health and University sources) and it’s a difficult balance between spamming you all with “there’s no updates” correspondence, and just leaving you all hanging. 

In any event, we now have some information (but still not much) and at this point I think UMSU will just need to make its own way with planning for return to campus because we just are not going to get certainty from out there. So sit down, make a cuppa or grab a cold drink and get ready for a long read. There is no TLDR; so please just take a deep breath and some time out to read and get across this info.

You will have seen the University’s announcement last Friday that from 28 February, University staff are expected to ramp-up their on-campus presence to contribute to the “reactivation of the campus community”. The intention is that Uni staff will work on campus for around three days a week, depending on the nature and requirements of the role, and local expectations. It’s important to note, that while this is a University expectation, UMSU is able to set its own expectations and provide our own resources  where necessary. UMSU has an obligation to its staff, student representatives and the student body to ensure we have maximised the measures we can put into place to ensure the highest level of safety and confidence for all of us. 

The following advice is based - in part - on results from the UMSU survey on returning to campus. This survey provided some key insights on staff and student representative’s priorities and concerns. The results indicate that while we are all aware of the current health risks from covid, we are equally sensitive to the needs of students to return to some semblance of normalcy and the experience that being on campus offers. I am hoping that finding a balance between risk avoidance and campus experience will be achieved by UMSU taking appropriate measures to eliminate or control hazards as much as possible. In this context, staff and student representatives are encouraged to make their own informed decisions around personal risk, and discuss with their supervisors to determine the right approach on a case by case basis.

1. Priority for returning to campus

Student-facing roles 

There will be some UMSU services and activities which rely on attendance on site, and it makes sense to prioritise access to campus for those areas. Of course where that is the case, we will ensure the requisite support and systems are effected to ensure staff safety.

2. Preliminary to returning to campus

We are asking all staff and student representatives to complete a survey to identify whether you regard on site work to be necessary or a high priority, as well as your comfort levels and ability to return to campus (even if it is not necessary to perform your work). The survey results will allow Management to have an overview which will inform UMSU’s attendance management and contact tracing obligations.

1. Process for returning to campus

• Staff and student representatives who are approved to return to campus will need to provide evidence of their vaccination status such as a copy of their vaccination certificate which can be accessed through the Medicare Express Plus app or via your MyGov account, or a certificate of exemption signed by a duly authorised medical practitioner.
• You will receive confirmation of your eligibility to return to campus once these steps are completed.

1. How UMSU supports staff and student representatives

UMSU will be implementing health and safety measures beyond those currently contemplated by the University to ensure your safety and wellbeing. Please note that the conditions of entry apply to everyone attending all UMSU spaces and events and are required for legal compliance and subject to change in line with Public Health advice. All staff and student representatives are required to comply with any current public health directions, unless a valid exemption applies.

UMSU CovidSafe measures for staff who can return to campus:

• There can only be a maximum of three days a week on site, and the re-introduction of workplace bubbles for continuity for services that have been identified as required on site.
• UMSU will supply surgical face masks from the Information Centre in case your mask breaks or something else happens to it. 
• There will be strict covid protocols in place at events and face-to-face delivery of services. Conditions of Entry to events, meetings and workshops will be clearly communicated to attendees and enforced.
• We will maintain up-to-date information on the UMSU intranet – outlining current public health advice, University links and access to UMSU resources.
• We will maintain covid payments for casuals who miss work while isolating.
• We need to work on Union House ventilation. The University had advised us that they were auditing ventilation in all its buildings – including Union House. However, the “audit” which we were provided yesterday is underwhelming to say the least. Accordingly, we are now in the process of assessing UMSU workspaces to make independent judgements about ventilation requirements. Wherever ventilation is deemed inadequate, UMSU will provide medical-grade air purifiers to minimise risk of contagion. 
• Getting covid is not the only risk – look after your mental health! The EAP is a free and confidential service with a range of resources for staff and student representatives to support metal health and wellbeing – let me know if you need more details.
• Any contractors engaged by UMSU will also need to provide evidence of their vaccination status or a copy of a valid exemption and follow all CovidSafe rules.
• We will continue flexible work arrangements for staff and student representatives to support informed decisions about the risk of Covid exposure to yourselves and your households and family.

For entry to the broader campus, staff and student representatives will need to comply with the following:

• The University requires everyone to verify they are fully vaccinated or have a recognised exemption at the point of entry. If you are unable to provide this information, you will not be able to enter campus or our events.
• If you are a unimelb student, please complete the relevant COVIDsafe Campus training module and health declaration prior to coming to campus.
• Do not come to campus if you are required to isolate or quarantine for any reason and/or awaiting results of a COVID-19 test.
• Do not come to campus if you are unwell, even with very mild symptoms.
• Please continue to observe social distancing measures where possible. Maintain 1.5 metres distance from others, where possible.
• Let the staff know immediately if you become unwell during the event.
• Face masks must be worn in indoor settings, unless an exemption applies. Masks are strongly recommended where physical distancing is not possible. You should carry a face mask at all times.
• Extra cleaning measures have been put into place, including Sanitiser Stations in at key entrance points. 
• We encourage everyone to download the Service Victoria app prior to arrival at the venue for a faster QR Code check-in.
• Check-in at every building you visit on campus using the QR code displayed or alternative arrangements.  Any data UMSU collects may be provided to the Public Health Network for contract tracing purposes, and consistent with UMSU privacy policy.

It is a requirement for anyone attending University of Melbourne campuses or undertaking University activities in third-party or public settings, to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Please note you will be asked to check in via the Victorian Government QR code and provide your vaccination information prior to entry. For further information regarding the vaccination requirement at the University of Melbourne, please visit their website or review the COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements Policy.

UMSU CovidSafe measures for staff and student representatives who cannot return to campus:

• UMSU will ensure working from home workstation provisions are provided where necessary – speak to your supervisor if you need anything.
• All UMSU office and organisational meetings should be dual delivery (“blended”) meetings which provide accessible connections between those on and off-site.  

Phew – now that’s a wall of text I know – but I hope it’s a comprehensive coverage of what we know and what we need to do next.

Importantly – if you have questions, issues or feedback – please get in touch with me directly. I am committed to clear information and straight talking on this and we need to take these next steps together in confidence that no one will be left behind.

P.S don’t forget to do the survey! We need your input.

P.P.S – we know that thanks to Uni IT some staff and student representatives STILL don’t have email access – so if you know any UMSers who didn’t get this email – please pass it on.

Hope you can all have a great weekend!

Cheers,

Phoebe Churches

Interim CEO | UMSU

Currently working remotely

+61 3 8344 0191

p.churches@union.unimelb.edu.au

umsu.unimelb.edu.au/

UMSU Inc | Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung Country  ?Level 4 Union House, University of Melbourne, VIC 3010