Update: USU Response to COVID-19

By Jossie Warnant

The University of Sydney Union (USU) has released an updated statement detailing its response to the COVID-19 crisis. 

The USU reiterated that their “highest concern remains the wellbeing of the entire University community” and that they will be working closely with The University of Sydney to plan operations, in accordance with government advice. 

The statement confirmed that the USU will conduct its 2020 Board election online. According to the USU website, the USU Board is seeking to amend the USU Regulations to provide for online voting in the 2020 election. The USU will be hosting Zoom information sessions and mentoring for students who are interested in serving on the Board. 

The USU also acknowledged that as the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve they may be required to scale down their face to face operations but are “endeavouring to deliver as many of our services online as feasible.”

The statement detailed that the USU is working to assist students currently self-isolating in University student accommodation by providing them with three meals a day. They also said that they are “scoping further opportunities to support our student community at this difficult time.” 

In relation to campus food outlets, the USU will continue with the “enhanced hygiene” measures currently in place and USUEats outlets will only be serving takeaway. 

All USU staff who can work from home are currently doing so and this practice will continue. 

The Verge Gallery will be closed from today and Carslaw Kitchen will close from Wednesday 25 March. 

You can read the statement in its entirety below and check the USU’s social media and website for the latest information.  

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Statement from the USU in response to COVID-19

Sydney, March 24, 2020:

The University of Sydney Union (USU) wishes to update its members, stakeholders and the entire student community at the University of Sydney about our ongoing response to the rapidly evolving COVID-19 crisis.

Our highest concern remains the wellbeing of the entire University community. We continue to work closely with the University in our operations planning, following the advice of the State and Federal governments, as well as NSW Health.

We are pleased to announce that the USU is catering for students currently self-isolating in University student accommodation. The USU is working with the University to provide three meals a day to these students and is scoping further opportunities to support our student community at this difficult time.

Given recent NSW government announcements and this week’s shift to online teaching at the University, we are monitoring the situation closely and may scale down further our face to face campus operations while endeavouring to deliver as many of our services online as feasible.

Updates are as follows:   

USU Campus Operations
In relation to our operations on campus, enhanced hygiene measures continue and our USUEats outlets now provide takeaway service only.

Regrettably, the Verge Gallery will be closed from today. Carslaw Kitchen will close from this Wednesday 25 March.

For details of the current status of all USU operations and activities, please see the Annexure to this release. We will continue to update these arrangements as necessary so please check our social media and our website for the latest information.

USU Staff
Following our trial and transitional arrangements last week, all USU staff who can feasibly work from home are now doing so and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

USU Board Elections
As foreshadowed last week, the USU will conduct its 2020 Board election online. The Notice of Election has now been published, along with the Election Timeline. These are accessible on the USU website (www.usu.edu.au/elections) and on our noticeboards.

Again, thank you for your support and loyalty. If you have any questions, please contact info@usu.edu.au and we will respond to your enquiry as soon as possible.

Pulp Editors