Dear Students, I send my thoughts again to those affected by the recent floods. I want to note that academic consideration will be available to students whose studies have been directly impacted by these events.
For more information on this, please visit the special consideration webpage.
Flood relief
On that note, I hope to attend Pulse’s Flood Relief Appeal at UniBar today from 5pm, to raise money for people who have been affected by the NSW & QLD floods. Proceeds from the $5 entry fee, certain food and drink, as well as raffles and games will go toward their chosen flood relief charity. See you there!
We stand for peace
I also want to share our formal statement and condemnation of the actions of the Russian government, its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, and its undermining of global peace. As an international institution, we know our community of researchers, staff, students, and alumni will feel this crisis deeply and for all of those impacted we offer our full support and services. UOW students, please visit our UOW 24-hour Student Wellbeing Support Line. The University of Wollongong will always stand for equality, freedom, democracy and above all global peace - #standforpeace. If you didn’t get a chance to watch our special online forum held last week, the recording of ‘The Invasion of Ukraine: Causes & Consequences’ is available. It was a very informative discussion.
National Student Safety Survey results
The results of the National Student Safety Survey (NSSS) held last September will be released later this month. Thank you to all the students who participated in the survey and had the courage to share their stories. We’ve already put a lot of measures in place to improve student safety, and the results from the survey will help us better understand what is happening in our student communities and where we need to place additional focus. I want to remind you that if you have experienced or witnessed unacceptable behaviour such as sexual assault, harassment, violence, bullying or discrimination, please speak out and seek support via our Safe and Respectful Communities team. I also encourage all of you to complete our Consent Matters training, which will help you understand what consent is, and when it can and can’t be given.
Casual work opportunities
For students seeking casual work, UOW is looking for some new enthusiastic Student Representatives to join the Student Recruitment Division. 'Student Reps' are paid ambassadors of UOW, who support student recruitment and marketing activities. These activities can be on an irregular, casual basis with shifts ranging from a few hours in the day, some at night and sometimes trips away, which can fit into your study schedule. Apply here before applications close this Friday.
More Yours and Owls fun to come
In exciting news, UOW has partnered with Yours and Owls in 2022 to bring a range of activations and programs to our students, staff, and community. In fact, if you attend Yours and Owls Festival this year (2 – 3 April), you’ll be able to visit the ‘UOW Duck Pond Lawn Chill Out Zone’. We’re giving away some Yours and Owls tickets, so keep an eye on the Current Students and Pulse channels over the next few weeks for your chance to win. You can also sign up to the Bushcare Regeneration Workshops this month at Puckeys Estate, in conjunction with Y&O and Wollongong Bushcare (supported by UOW), where you can spend an afternoon focusing on land care and receive a free festival ticket at the end.
We need to remain diligent
Although it feels as though we’re through the worst of the pandemic, it remains important to limit the possible spread of SARS-COV2. Please help to keep those around you safe by getting tested and staying home if you’re experiencing cold-like symptoms. It’s also important that you are vaccinated. First, second and third dose Pfizer vaccinations are available at UOW Library today and tomorrow, from 12-3pm, so be sure to get along for your remaining jabs, to protect yourself from serious illness. Bookings are not required.
I hope you’re keeping safe and well and have settled back in nicely to the new academic year.
My best,
Trish