Coronavirus: ANU students in limbo about return date, staff return June 2

The Australian National University has been operating remotely since March 30.

In an update the Australian National University Vice-Chancellor Professor Brian Schmidt said that if the university were to reopen for staff, strict safety precautions will be in place.

"Our next step, and we are targeting Tuesday 2 June, will be to more broadly open campus to staff, but with strict social distancing requirements in place," he said.

"We will continue to encourage people to work from home where they can - maybe again in 'shifts' - to help limit close social interactions."

"We will continue to be flexible in our work arrangements to support vulnerable members of our community, and those with caring responsibilities."

In the update Professor Schmidt did not set a target date for the university to open for students.

However, he suggested the possibility of opening before semester two is scheduled to begin.

Semester two begins on July 27.

"I am optimistic that our campus can once again be opened to students next semester - perhaps even slightly before for students who need to catch up on lab and other work that could not be done remotely," he said

"We will not be able to have large classes of people, and we will continue to need to cater for remote participation in our classes."

"We know some students, especially those located overseas, will not be returning so quickly. "

Australian National University Student Association President Lachlan Day is cautiously optimistic about the potential reopening for students.

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"It seems like quite a positive step that the university is currently considering," Mr Day said.

"I think it's really important that the university continues to consult federal and territory government to make sure the proper safety precautions are in place.

"Beyond that [the university should be] putting in safety precautions that the university community are happy with."

Mr Day said that the university potentially opening would be beneficial for some students who do not have adequate resources at home for remote learning.

Professor Brian Schmidt also said that if there were further outbreaks of COVID-19, the university would shut down again.

"If there is a fresh breakout of COVID-19 we may once again need to restrict access to campus," Professor Schmidt said.

"All of us need to be thinking this way as we navigate the coming months of our work and studies.

"This approach applies to researchers with experiments that may need to be shut down suddenly, and especially to our teachers, whose teaching preparations need to reflect this unfortunate reality."

"I will not hesitate to make decisions that prioritise the health and well-being of our community."

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