We all know isolation can be hard, especially if you’re feeling unwell and don’t have everything you need to stay at home. UC wants to ensure we provide the best support for our students in isolation. For us to get you the support you need, it’s important you let us know that you are either COVID positive or a household contact. You can do that easily by completing this form: https://ucsafety.assurasoftware.net/Default.aspx

Please make sure you wear a face mask, maintain physical distancing at all times, and stay home if you’re sick.

The form only takes about five minutes to complete and is an opportunity for you to let us know what support you require to complete your isolation. Whether its study-related, financial, or simply needing some help to get groceries, a friendly staff member at UC will follow-up to get you the support you need.

We are committed to supporting the welfare of our students and staff during this time and taking specific actions to support our most at-risk populations, including but not limited to our Māori and Pacific communities, and those with underlying medical conditions. If you have any questions about this, please contact covidwelfare@canterbury.ac.nz

Welfare calls

Once a student or staff member registers their COVID positive status on Assura, the UC COVID welfare team will give them a call to check in with them and see how the University can support them best during their isolation. Our friendly welfare team can connect students and staff to the support they need within UC or in the community.

Kai/groceries

If you need some groceries or support accessing kai during your isolation period, please let us know when you complete the Assura self-report. If you have already completed the self-report, and you need kai please complete this form here. UC are providing groceries to students and their whānau who can’t access kai while they isolate.

Winter Warmth Power Fund

We know that isolating at home in the winter months can be tough, and in some instances it can cause financial pressure on students. The Winter Warmth Power Fund is designed to provide a power bill subsidy for students who are isolating with COVID-19, and who regularly contribute to household bills. This subsidy is designed to support students to stay warm and dry over their 7 week isolation period. Students will need to register on Assura and their criteria will be assessed, and if accepted, the payment will be made directly to their power provider.

Academic support

It is important that anyone who is COVID positive takes time to rest and recover to give you the best chance of getting back on your feet. We recognise that everyone experiences COVID differently, and that your ability to study from home is impacted by many other factors alongside COVID symptoms. We would recommend you inform your course coordinator/lecturer if your COVID positive status is likely to impact your ability to complete course work, and that you work with them to navigate this. See the below information on special consideration if that applies to you.

Special consideration

We know there may be circumstances where, the re-emergence of COVID-19 impacts your performance or ability to complete an assessment item. If this happens you can apply for a Special Consideration on COVID-19 grounds. You will need to provide evidence of sickness/illness and details of what evidence is required can be found here. When you fill out the Assura self-report you will be sent an automatic email response, and this can be used as evidence in the special consideration process.