Covid-19 Updates

See table below for links to communications related to teaching and learning, and staff/student health & wellbeing surrounding Covid-19.

Also see Covid-19 information for the FoS

Links	About
Covid-19 Alert Level 3 University Plan released 31 August 2021	The University’s Alert Level 3 Plan outlines the requirements applicable to learning and teaching, research activity, and support services during this period. Detailed process steps and considerations for Priority Research Activity applications are outlined on the Research continuity guidance page. Any exceptions allowable under Alert Level 3 will be co-ordinated by the Business Continuity Plan (BCP) leads in each faculty, large scale research institute (LSRI) and service division.
Covid-19 Alert Level 4 University Plan - released 18 August 2021	Revised Government guidance for tertiary institutions operating under Alert Level 4 with requirements being largely the same as in 2020 Level 4 lockdown. Severe restrictions remain on what is permissible for learning and teaching, research activity, and support services during this period.
UoA Policy Statement: Teaching delivery released 19July 2021	Information for staff and students on teaching delivery, coursework, tests and examination arrangements in Semester 2 and Quarters 3 and 4, 2021.
Wording for quizzes_27Apr2021.docx	Message from AD T&L on the use of the terms 'quiz' and 'test' and suggested wording for students that have missed a quiz (no Aegrotat).
28 Feb VC msg to students.docx	Message from the VC to all students about the change to Alert Level 3
	Tests will be on-campus at Level 1, and is the default position. However Faculties have the right to approve online Tests on the basis that learning objectives can be met in a non-invigilated environment. (26 Feb 2021)
24 Feb 2021 Policy for Tests and Exams in S1	Policy document for Teaching Delivery, Coursework, Tests and Exams for S1 2021.
18 Feb 2021 Guidance for Alert Level changes	Clarification about the expectations for teaching delivery when the Alert Level changes
20 Nov 2020 _FoS Guidance for dealing with late submission of online exams_20.11.2020.docx	Clarification about the difference between the “due” time and the “available until” time in the setup of online exams and recommendations for reduction of marks in case of late submission.
29 Sept 2020_How to request on campus teaching activity during Alert Level 2.docx	Update from Linda Thompson, Director FoS Operations, about campus teaching activity during Alert Level 2 including links to forms and key people.
VC's 14 Sept update after Government announcement (Monday pm)	With Auckland staying at its current level, the university has rolled out the Covid-19 Alert Level 2 contingency plan.
14 September 2020 update on teaching in Covid-19 Alert Level 2	This memo is an indication of discussions held at the UoA Incident Management Team, and will be superseded by any Strategic Response Team decisions conveyed in the VC’s communications following the Government’s announcements on Monday 14 September.
Information for Faculty of Science staff (FoS staff intranet)	Online repository for FoS communications and resources regarding remote L&T, research support, health & wellbeing, facilities management.
UoA COVID-19 staff information hub	University-specific COVID-19-related information for staff, including general information specific as well as non-specific to different alert levels; also links to NZ Government, Ministry of Health, DHB websites.
COVID-19: Communications to all UoA staff and students	All communications to staff from the VC, Senior leadership, all-staff fora including Q&A, plus updates sent to students.

FoS Academic Committee

Membership

The Faculty Academic Committee shall consist of:

The Associate Dean (academic) and Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning) or standing nominee as Chairperson; with the Dean, Associate Dean (postgraduate) to attend as required
One representative from each department and school offering subjects towards degree/diploma/subject areas in the Faculty of Science
One student representative
It may, by resolution, include in its membership representatives of departments, schools and centres which have a specific interest in the agenda of the Committee, but which are not represented under clause 3 or 4
The committee may, by resolution, invite the University Librarian or standing nominee to be in attendance at meetings of the Board with full rights of audience and debate

See Terms of reference, meeting schedule and links to meeting notes on the FoS AC Meeting intranet page.

Strategy

The combined UoA strategy position papers released by the Vice Chancellor, with the Education paper at the top, can be found HERE.
In addition to the challenge questions in the position paper, some possible additional Education questions (from AD Academic 17.08.2020):
- How can the University be seen as a thought leader in (Higher Education) learning and teaching in science disciplines?
- Should we adapt our teaching to the changing expectations of our students around flexibility of their education?
- Should we aim to engage our community with continued learning, broadening our learner base beyond post-secondary, or instead focus on post-secondary?
- How can we work to personalise our teaching to our students?
- How can we differentiate ourselves from other tertiary education providers?
- How do we raise the overall teaching quality of our staff, reward those who are leaders in our teaching, and empower staff to create excellent learning experiences for students?
- How can we do achieve our goals considering our overall workload, staffing and resources, what should we aim to reduce or stop?
- Re size, shape and composition of the University: what do we think is ideal? How comprehensive should we be?

Initiatives

Implementation of the Academic Leadership Framework - presentation slides