University of Canterbury Update
A week on from last weekend’s earthquake, University of Canterbury Vice-Chancellor Dr Rod Carr has acknowledged the
resilience and outstanding efforts of the university community as it comes to terms and responds to this significant
event.
“As Vice-Chancellor I have been incredibly proud of our emergency response personnel, our academic staff who have shared
their knowledge with the people of Christchurch to help them make sense of what has happened, our staff who have helped
with this week’s working bees and our students who have done so much to show their commitment to our local community.
“While we had initially hoped to be fully operational again by Monday, it became apparent to us during the course of the
week that our staff and students deserved more time to recover emotionally. We cannot underestimate the impact this
event will have had on us all and it is in all our interests to give ourselves another week to come to terms with what
has happened and the recovery ahead of us.
“On Monday we will welcome staff back to campus. On Wednesday students will return ahead of teaching resuming on Monday
20 September. The Early Childhood Learning Centre and the UCSA Childcare Centre will be open from Monday. However,
because of additional contractor activity and general clean-up work we would advise that children are not brought on to
campus.”
The University has planned a number of forums for next week to provide details of its re-start planning. Details of the
additional e-book, digital journal and digital database resources that have become available to the University
community, and how staff and students can access them, will be outlined at the forums.
The forums will also provide information on support services that are available to staff and students, including
assistance available for students who may be experiencing hardship. Also staff and students will be updated on the
impact of the earthquake on learning content and examination timetabling.
Dr Carr says while the University had initially indicated that by Monday the University would provide further
information on the impact of the earthquake on the study break and examination timetable, it will now be announcing an
update by 5pm on Tuesday 14 September.
As previously advised, assignments and tests will be due two weeks later than the originally published date. The one
exception is that final assessments will still be due no later than 15 October. The College of Education will
communicate separately to students on final due dates.
“Thank you again for your support. We are looking forward to having you back on campus next week.”
ENDS.