Dear Staff and Students in Fiji Campuses,

Following the announcement made by the Fijian Prime Minister on Thursday, 16 September, all Fiji campuses, on-campus restaurants, gymnasium, playgrounds for non-contact activities (e.g. exercise, running and walking), pool, USP Library, USP Health and Wellness Centre, and computer labs will open at 70% capacity, but only to fully-vaccinated persons, from 4 October.

Within this 70% capacity, students are allowed back into the Fiji campuses to use facilities to support their studies and well-being.

Staff are to report back to work from 4 October 2021. Please liaise with your direct supervisor on the arrangement adhering to the 70% capacity.

To access Fiji campuses, staff and students will need to be fully vaccinated and will be required to show USP Security their vaccination cards to confirm their vaccination status, together with their USP ID card. Failure to show these cards will lead to denial of entry.

Within the campuses, the wearing of a face mask is mandatory.

In addition, the University has approved the following measures to ensure continued quality learning and teaching as well as the safe operation of the University during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Delivery of Learning and Teaching from 4 October 2021

All Semester 2 face-to-face courses and associated learning activities will continue to be delivered remotely.

Academic staff will continue remote teaching but will be required to inform their Head of School and students of their face-to-face consultation hours.

Online Learning and Teaching

• Lectures, tutorials and assessments will continue to be delivered virtually. Recordings of lectures will be made available on Moodle after the class.
• Students are urged to contact their Course Coordinators or teaching team for any clarification.
• Fiji-based students can dial the toll-free number 1568 to seek any advice.
• The USP website, including Moodle and other important USP sites, can be accessed free of charge on the Vodafone Fiji and Digicel Fiji network.

Student and Pastoral Support 

The following student support and pastoral services are available from 4 October:

IT Services

• ITS Computer Labs – are open to students and will operate within the Fiji Government COVID-19 protocols.
• Outreach Commons – All Outreach Commons will be operational and open to USP students and staff. Entry into the Outreach Commons must follow the protocols listed above.

Student Learning Support (SLS) staff will be available to provide face-to-face support at all Fiji campuses, and services will continue to be delivered online via Moodle https://elearn.usp.ac.fj/course/view.php?id=962.

Library 

1. Library Opening Hours
   • Monday – Friday: 8.00am – 6.00pm
   • Saturday: 9.00am – 6.00pm
   • Sunday and Public Holidays: 1.30pm – 6.00pm
2. Students will be requested to present their vaccination card and sanitise their hands prior to accessing the library. Library staff may conduct random temperature checks at the front entrance of the library.
3. Use the Library’s gateway https://www.usp.ac.fj/library for access to services and collections if you are studying from home.
4. The Library encourages the use of its wide range of interdisciplinary and subject online resources accessible via the Library website. Go to ‘databases’ and ‘open access resources’ on the Library site https://www.usp.ac.fj/library
5. For specific guidance on subject resources use the Libguides service at https://usp.ac.fj.libguides.com/index.php?b=s
6. Students are reminded that many Reserve Collection titles are accessible online as ebooks

Campus Life 

Students and staff will be required to present their vaccination cards and sanitise before accessing the following Campus Life facilities. Campus Life staff may conduct random temperature checks, and masks must be worn at all times.

USP Health and Wellness Centre

• The Health and Wellness Centre will be open from Monday to Friday from 8.00 am – 7.30 pm. There is a Medical Officer (GP) and Medical Centre staff available to assist students.
• For any after-hour emergencies, students can visit the nearest Health Centre; visit CWM Hospital or call on +679 3313 444 or the Sai Sathya Sai Sanjeenvani Medical Centre on +679 837 2361. Please note the Sai Sathya Sai Sanjeenvani Medical Centre closes at 5 pm on Monday to Friday. Students and staff can access the Sai Sathya Sai Sanjeenvani Medical Centre services for free.
• Students covered by the University Health Care Scheme, with a referral, can access CWM services and will be reimbursed for any incurred charges.

Counselling services (Personal)

• Face-to-face counselling services will be offered at Laucala Campus with strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols.
• Virtual counselling services will continue to be offered to students and staff across Fiji and the region via Skype.
• Further, students and staff who require counselling assistance after hours can call Jolene Hazelman on +679 9499757 or email Joleen@usp.ac.fj to make an appointment.

Careers and Entrepreneurship

• The Careers and Entrepreneurship Centre will assist students in person, and students can schedule an appointment to see the Careers Adviser by emailing Vanessa Chung at chung@usp.ac.fj
• The Careers and Entrepreneurship Centre will continue to have virtual coaching sessions on career topics, and recordings will be made available to all students.

Disability Resource Centre (DRC)

All students with a disability who require academic support can use the DRC computer lab or the students’ Common Room. The DRC Staff will monitor the use of the room to ensure COVID-19 protocols are adhered.

Chaplaincy Services 

Students and staff who may require pastoral care are encouraged to email chaplain@usp.ac.fj to make an appointment.

I take this opportunity to thank you all for your continued efforts in the past couple of months and wish you the very best for the remainder of Semester 2.

Professor Jito Vanualailai,
Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education)