Uni plans for on campus return

LA Trobe University has proposed plans for an institution-wide reopening of campuses to staff and students.

The roadmap is split into two stages, with the overarching goal of getting as many eligible staff and students as possible vaccinated against COVID-19.

In a statement released last week, the university outlined stage one, which it planned to carry out until November, would involve encouraging people to get the jab, with vaccination leave available to staff.

The university is also looking into how they could set up vaccination hubs at regional campuses in Bendigo, Shepparton, Albury-Wodonga and Mildura, with a hub already planned to open in partnership with Austin Health at the Bundoora campus in Melbourne’s north.

Stage two would follow in early December, with the expectation that all individuals on campus, including contractors and visitors, are fully vaccinated.

Arrangements would be made to allow for people with a vaccine exemption to continue their work or study, but the university said the same may not be possible for those who choose not to get the jab.

Staff and students can have their say on the roadmap through a voluntary survey.

The plan’s timeline is subject to the pace of the national vaccine rollout, and La Trobe Professor in public health, Vijaya Sundararajan, said pushing for high vaccination rates among the community would mean a return to university life.

“We’re incredibly fortunate to have safe and effective vaccines available for COVID-19 that reduce the risk of severe illness,” she said.

“Bringing the vaccination rate as close to 100 per cent as possible amongst staff and students will enable us to get back to a vibrant on-campus life as soon as possible.”