Information for learners

The campus might have closed, but your learning will continue. Your teacher will be in touch to let you know what to expect.

Some of you will be able to continue as normal, and others will be given activities to continue with while your teachers arrange the new delivery of your learning. If this is the case for you, we expect that you will be supplied with these activities soon and that full teaching will resume when the Level 4 alert is lifted.

OP holidays

Due to the lockdown, our Easter break dates have changed.

Otago Polytechnic Easter holidays for the Dunedin Campus and Central Otago Campus will now run from Thursday 26 March - Tuesday 14 April. Online learning for your programmes will commence from Wednesday 15 April 2020.

Some programmes within areas such as Business, Nursing and Midwifery have different holiday dates to those listed above. Please follow the guidance of your Programme Leader.

> See here for an up-to-date list of Auckland study block dates

Technology support

As you adjust to a new way of learning, you may require support.

Contact your lecturer first if you are having problems with online learning. For technical support, contact our IT Service Desk for help.

Auckland Campus learners: aicservicedesk@op.ac.nz, 0800 111 212

All other learners: servicedesk@op.ac.nz, 0800 POLY IT (0800 765 948)

Financial support

We know that some of you may have lost part-time work or be struggling financially for other reasons. We have increased our student hardship fund for this reason.

Contact the Otago Polytechnic Students’ Association (OPSA) if you are experiencing financial hardship and need support.

The StudyLink website has information for those of you with student allowances and student loans.

Student Health

Student Health have made changes to the physical nature of accessing their services:

Due to the current situation surrounding COVID-19 they ask that all appointments are made over the phone so they can triage all those that need to be seen and let you know what entrance you should use. Phone 03 479 6082.
Please arrive just before your appointment time rather than arriving early to avoid unnecessary contact with others.
If you have an appointment booked please phone or knock on the door to gain entry, but again do not arrive early.

Health and wellbeing

The campus will be thoroughly deep cleaned after closing to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff upon re-opening.

When it comes to your health, please continue to follow Government advice. If you are concerned about any symptoms you are experiencing, call your GP (your local medical centre) or Healthline (0800 358 5453).

Your mental wellbeing is important too. This is a stressful and uncertain time for everybody. We have not experienced a global event like this before in our lifetimes. It is normal to feel anxious and stressed – but there are people who can help.

Support is available:

Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time.

The Mental Health Foundation has created tips for getting through COVID-19, and a comprehensive list of resources. Our Chaplain, Steve Downey, is available to chat with learners and staff.

Otago COVID 19 Welfare Helpline

An Otago COVID-19 Welfare Helpline has been established by the Dunedin City Council to help make sure everyone in the region receives the support they need during the Alert Level 4 lockdown.

While the Council are continuing to ask people to contact the appropriate agency for help in the first instance, anyone in Otago who needs assistance in relation to emergency food, household goods/services or any other welfare-type requests can call 0800 322 4000.

This number will operate daily from 7.00am - 7.00pm.