10 July 2020 Coronavirus Update

Education remains one of the essential reasons that Victorians may leave their homes and while we continue to deliver courses remotely where possible, there are a number of courses for which face-to-face instruction is required.

Semester 2 begins on Monday 13 July 2020 and students who have been invited, who are well and present no risk are eligible to return to campus. A student declaration coupled with entry screening will assess this. Additionally, students with underlying health conditions or in high risk categories that would make them vulnerable should not return to campus. This is in line with the advice provided by the Department of Health and Human Services - COVID 19 Information.

Concierge Team on Campus

The Concierge Team has been reinstated and will welcome returning students and conduct daily screenings as part of entry onto the campus. This team consists of Box Hill Institute staff members who have received training to ensure that students’ health and safety is a top priority, and they will also monitor social distancing.

Daily Screening

All students returning to campus will be required to attend a screening station where the Concierge Team will conduct temperature checks and health. Students are asked to arrive 15 mins before class to ensure they can be screened efficiently before their scheduled class begins. Once a student completes the screening, they will receive a sticker, which indicates their eligibility to be on campus for that day only. 

NOTE: DO NOT ATTEND CAMPUS IF YOU ARE FEELING UNWELL OR HAVE COLD OR FLU SYMPTOMS

Infection Control

The main reason for students returning to campus is to attend class and a range of measures has been implemented to ensure this. 

Social Distancing must be adhered to at all times in and outside the classroom. Once class has finished students will be required to leave campus. If a student is found to be in breach of the social distancing requirements, they may be asked to leave campus and return at an advised date. 

Students will be trained in managing infection control practices in the classroom where there is shared equipment and surfaces. They will be required to observe these practices during class. This includes wash hands regularly as well as using hand sanitiser before entering the classrooms.

Condition of Entry/Declaration

Condition of entry to campus is subject to adhering to, and following measures to manage the risk of transmission. Students will:

• Stay home if exhibiting even mild symptoms of being unwell
• Agree to daily screening procedures
• Undertake in-class training on managing transmission of COVID-19
• Observe and implement all measures required to ensure safety of self and others including social distancing and cleaning shared equipment and surfaces between use

Student Declaration

Students returning to campus will be required to complete a declaration agreeing to the conditions of entry as well as observing Box Hill Institute Code of Conduct for Students. This declaration is not compulsory, however students will not be able to return to campus during the pandemic unless they sign it. The duration of the declaration is until the control measures have been removed on the advice of Victoria’s Chief Health Officer.

If a student is found to be in breach of the conditions of entry outlined in the declarations, they may be immediately removed from campus and potentially banned from returning for the duration the restrictions in place as advised by the Victoria’s Chief Health Officer.

Cafés

The café at Elgar will be reopened from Monday, 8:30am until 2:00pm offering beverages and a limited food menu. At this stage there are no plans to open the café at Nelson.

The Point of View café will continue to operate at the Lilydale campus from 8:00am to 3:30pm.

Library Hours

The Elgar Student Hub, aka the Elgar Library Study Area, is open from 7.30am to 10.00pm, Monday to Thursday and 7.30am to 6.00pm on Fridays.

The Lilydale Lakeside library is open from 9.30am to 2.30pm, Monday to Friday and the Nelson and City campus libraries closed.

Public Transport

Public Transport Victoria has information on its website about the measures it is taking to keep passengers safe, including increased cleaning and cashless transactions. It also outlines measures passengers can take including social distancing. 

Feedback

While we are working through this phased transition to campus, we are encouraging students to share feedback with us about our processes and procedures on campus in response to COVID-19. 

Students can send feedback to customerrelations@boxhill.edu.au. Collecting this feedback will enable our project team to ensure that our processes are working effectively in our goal to keep you safe.

Student Life 

If you require support during this time, please contact Student Life on (03) 9286 9891 or email studentlife@boxhill.edu.au.  

For International Students, please contact the International Student Wellbeing Officer, Nikki Singh on (03) 9286 9445 or via email at nikita.singh@boxhill.edu.au.  If you have questions about your academic progress and would like assistance with your assessments, please contact the International Academic Advisor, Faz Maghami on (03) 9286 9734 or via email at f.maghami@boxhill.edu.au.