Most teaching at Massey University will remain online for the rest of the year due to Covid-19.

The university’s campuses in Palmerston North and Wellington are opening from Monday now most of the country is in alert level 2, although its Auckland campus is still closed while the city is in level 4.

Massey deputy vice-chancellor of students and global engagement Tere McGonagle-Daly said teaching and learning would “mostly” remain online for the rest of the semester.

“With New Zealand at different alert levels and uncertainty around how long these may last and the potential for fluctuations in alert levels, our students told us they wanted certainty around how learning will be delivered for the rest of semester two.”

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It was agreed Massey would continue with online learning where possible.

There will be exceptions if in-person teaching is required.

“Staff are working to identify what courses may need in-person teaching for the remainder of semester two.

“Course co-ordinators will be in touch with students if their course requires any in-person teaching, by the end of this week.”

If in-person teaching is required, physical distancing must be maintained and masks are recommended. If distancing is not an option, masks must be worn.

QR codes for scanning in are up around campus and people must record their movements on campus.

Facilities like the library, labs and students’ services open with health and safety measures in place.

Staff and students are encouraged to wear a mask for all activities where physical distancing cannot be maintained.

Face coverings are mandatory in public areas including libraries, cafes and food services, except when eating, and public transport.

Students and staff must scan into buildings with QR codes or manually. 

Staff and students should keep 2 metres from others in public spaces and 1 metre in workplaces or during in-person teaching.

Due to the interruption, Massey’s teaching teams have reduced the number of examinations as much as possible.

“Many assessments have been redesignated as assignments or have been moved to in-class tests,” McGonagle-Daly said.

“However, there are still some assessments requiring exam-like arrangements and these will be conducted online.”

There has been a suspension of minimum grades on individual assessment items.

“No individual item of assessment will be compulsory unless these are specifically required by a professional body. Students are still expected to achieve a passing grade in the course.”

More information can be found on Massey’s website under exams and assessments or impaired performance considerations.