COVID-19 Updates
Last updated: 4 August, 2020, 1:00pm
Greetings to you on behalf of the Executive team,
Just when we THINK we know what’s going to happen, things change once again. How deeply we feel for all of you, trying to navigate your ways through your studies in the ebb and flow of government restrictions.
While there is a lot we still do not know, and are waiting for more details from the government about higher education delivery, what we CAN confirm is that we will not be able to offer face to face classes at MST, or Eastern, for the next 6 weeks.
About the Library: As we’ve just started Semester 2, many of you want to know what is happening with the library. Because of the current restriction level, you will NOT be able to come into the College library. However, we know how important research is to your studies so our librarians will be available to help you between 9am and 5pm each day. Our librarians will either scan and email or post the book to you. (Note: Conditions and limits may apply.) All MST, MST Chinese and Eastern students should contact Neil Horvarth or Josella Chan on 03 9881 7823 or send your enquiries to library@mst.edu.au.
We are hoping, praying, and tentatively planning that this period of Stage 4 lockdown will do its job, and perhaps enable us to re-adjust again later in the Semester. We will obviously keep you all updated, as we have sought to do so far, and will provide more information on some other changes before the end of this week. Please watch our websites and social media pages.
In the meantime, be assured of our continued prayers for you, and deep commitment to serving you as best we possibly can, in these difficult times. To borrow from Paul’s letter to the Philippians, written so long ago and yet so powerfully relevant to all us:
May the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
In Him,
Tim Meyers, Jude Long, Peter Tyrrell
MST & Eastern Executive Team
College Changes & Developments
1. Will Semester 2 be online?
The MST Semester 2 Timetable is now available to view on the MST website – check it out here. There is a great range of units on offer from Bible and Theology to Apologetics, Christian Spirituality and Mission.
Due Dates for Semester 2 Intake:
Returning Student Enrolments – 24th July
New Student Applications – 17th July
Many of you are wondering, no doubt, about face-to-face classes and when we may return to a more ‘normal’ routine. We are hoping and planning to return to campus in Semester 2, with weekly classes and intensives delivered face-to-face. However, this is subject to the government’s COVID-safe guidelines, so these plans are yet to be confirmed. We will notify you as soon as we are confident of any planned changes.
Regardless, the SEMESTER 2 units on the timetable will be offered with adjustments to delivery mode as needed. If you plan to enrol in units with face-to-face components but have valid (COVID-19 related) reasons for not attending classes on campus, you will need to seek approval to be exempted from attendance requirements. Please send your request via email to Iona Kroussoratsky, Enrolment Coordinator (enrolments@mst.edu.au) before enrolling in a unit. For students in such situations, we are working to provide you with remote access to lectures.
Of course, if we are permitted to return to campus, social distancing and extra hygiene measures will be in place for everyone’s safety and well-being.
Again, be assured of our ongoing commitment to support and serve you. Please feel free to write or call if you need any more information.
2. Library
With the easing of COVID-19 restrictions (including the abolition of the four critical reasons to leave home) the executive team at MST & Eastern is pleased to announce the reopening of the library from 9am on Wednesday 28th October.
As a maximum of 20 people are permitted in the library at a time, the library is not open as a study space. It will only be open for borrowing, returning, and scanning of resources.
Library opening hours will be 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday (excluding the Melbourne Cup public holiday on Tuesday 3rd November).
The conditions of entry remain the same as immediately prior to stage 4 restrictions, namely:
- You must remain at home if you have a fever, cough, sore throat, or other symptom associated with COVID-19.
- You agree to wearing a mask while on site
- Access is to the library only and not to other parts of the building
- You agree to record your details via the Sign in Safe contact tracing app.
- You maintain social distancing
The library staff are also pleased to offer an order and collect service for those who do not wish to enter the building. To take up this offer, or for any other library inquiry please contact Neil or Josella on 9881-7823 or via email (library@mst.edu.au or library@eastern.edu.au).
3. Online units now available for Audit at a low cost
Until now, online courses were not available to audit students. We have decided to change this. All relevant online courses at both MST & Eastern are currently available for audit, for a minimal fee of $100.
4. Two things to remember if you ARE on campus:
Social Distance
- Wherever you are on campus, please maintain a 4-metre square distance from other students.
- Do not gather in groups.
- Avoid physical contact, including handshakes.
Hygiene
- Maintain safe personal hygiene practices as indicated on campus.
- Wash your hands!!
- Hand sanitizers are available around campus.
Student Support
We are here to support you!
Our team at the Centre for Theology & Psychology has created a flyer with a few guidelines and tips that will help us to cope with this new situation and perhaps even thrive and flourish in the midst of uncertain times. Read it HERE and be encouraged.
If you’re finding yourself struggling in any way please remember that we have people ready and available to virtually meet with you and pray with you.
Contact Community Life Coordinator, Sue Kimber, at skimber@mst.edu.au or
Eastern’s Counselling Courses Co-ordinator, Julie Morsillo, at jmorsillo@eastern.edu.au to schedule an appointment.
If you have study enquiries, please contact info@mst.edu.au
If you have any concerns about completing your assessments or studies in general, please contact our Dean of Studies, Delle Matthews, by emailing dmatthews@mst.edu.au. We can grant extensions for students impacted by changes due to COVID-19.
Further Support
Government news, updates and advice: https://www.australia.gov.au/
The latest information about the spread of COVID-19 and the steps being taken to slow the spread: https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert
