Students return to on campus living
THE University of Southern Queensland residential colleges are set to reopen for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
The university’s three residential colleges in Toowoomba – Concannon, McGregor and Steele Rudd – are welcoming new and returning students, expanding available places in line with restrictions lifting across the state.
The colleges have reopened at half capacity with extensive social distancing requirements to ensure a safe and positive environment for students wishing to live on campus.
USQ Residential Colleges has spent the past few months supporting a number of residents with regular welfare checks and financial assistance.
It also offered relocation grants to assist those able to vacate during restrictions earlier in the year.
Pro vice-chancellor (students) professor Josh Pienaar thanked all students for their patience and understanding during the challenging time.
“Our students have persisted during these unprecedented times,” he said.
“We know that the last few months have been extrachallenging – they have been superstars.
“The investment our students are making in their learning and future is important, now more than ever.”
Students will also return to some on campus activities in semester two.
The return has been carefully organised, with some face-to-face practical classes (such as laboratories and studios) starting today, but lectures remaining online.
Anthropology student Amy Lester said she jumped at the chance to return to an on-campus living experience.
“It is fantastic to be back. Things feel a little different with smaller social events, but of course that needed to happen,” she said.
“The colleges have made sure we had the information we needed.”