Message from the Vice-Chancellor
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Hello everyone
I know many of you are looking forward to getting back to campus as soon as possible, while others have concerns. We live in a rapidly evolving world, and we need everyone’s patience so that we are able to come back to campus safely, and in a way that satisfies our legal obligations.
We are lucky to have one of the most vaccinated communities in the world. However, we have many families with unvaccinated children, and while the vaccines are highly effective at preventing severe reactions to COVID-19 – they are not perfect especially for people with compromised immune systems, and they are less effective at stopping its spread. This means, as we open up, we can expect COVID to be amongst us, and we need to do our best at making sure our campus is not a place where it can easily spread from household to household. Lives depend on getting this right.
Our overarching goal is to be well placed to have a fantastic campus experience in 2022. Between now and then, the ACT COVID Pathway asks employers to continue to let staff work from home even after restrictions ease further on 29 October. For the rest of this year I expect many of us will be working remotely. And that’s fine. It depends on the work you do, your circumstances and the needs of your work area.
For those of you keen to get back before next year, given the heterogenous nature of the University and its working environments, each College and Service Division has carriage of who may return and when – noting this all has to occur within the context of a COVID-safe plan. Our leaders will prioritise safety, wellbeing and productivity, and the central administration of the University will provide support to meet the needs of the local areas. If your area needs to have more staff on campus before we come back in late January 2022, your dean or director will put arrangements in place.
I ask that you please wait until you hear about your local area pathway from your local leadership team. Please be patient, noting any work that can’t be done remotely, can already be done on campus. Also, our campus has many wonderful outdoor spaces. Perhaps plan a picnic or gathering with co-workers or students at your favourite spot – noting the ACT Government's 25-person max and mask requirements.
I note many of our staff and students are outside the ACT and subject to different restrictions and timelines. Please follow your jurisdiction’s rules and, if you work at one of our sites outside the ACT, your work area will develop its own arrangements.
The lockdown has taken an emotional toll on many of our staff and students, across Australia and beyond – it can be quite isolating working and studying from home without the social interaction that we find on our campus. I miss campus too, and I want to get back because I work better on campus. But I don’t want to endanger myself and my co-workers by rushing back.
We are nearing the end of lockdown. Please make sure you are reaching out for support if you need. I am optimistic about our new ‘normal’ from 2022.
Brian |
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Thinking flexibly
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As humans we interpret situations quickly and automatically. If we can instead be flexible in our interpretations, our subsequent emotions and behaviours are likely to be much more positive.
Watch to learn more with Provisional Psychologist and PhD Candidate Timothy Hatfield.
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Self-compassion
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Many people engage in self-criticism when going through a rough time. But you can choose self-compassion instead. This means you are kind, aware and understanding when confronted with personal challenges.
Watch as Erin Brown and Paula Ozola suggest ways you can practise self-compassion, understand your emotions better, and be less judgmental of your experiences.
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The five senses
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Our brain is incredible, but sometimes it thinks a little too much. Sometimes our thoughts can get stuck on the past or the future, making us feel disappointed, sad or worried.
Watch as Clinical Psychologist Dr Jo Lane explains how the five senses can help us be present in the moment using sight, sound, touch, taste and smell.
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