2021 sees Southern Cross University return to a COVID normal, resuming face to face classes on March the first and scheduling graduations once again.

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Students who had their 2020 graduations postponed will be pleased to have a COVID safe formal ceremony this year as they celebrate their achievements with family and friends.

Graduates of 2020 will now be graduating on June 26 at Coffs Harbour Education Campus (CHEC).

The 2021 graduations will be held under existing COVID-19 restrictions which means that staff numbers will be restricted.

However they can watch via live streams of the events.

“To allow as many graduates as possible to attend the ceremonies at the venues, staff will be invited to watch a live stream of each of the ceremonies,” according to Vice President, Operations Allan Morris.

From March 1 students will be back on campus for tutorials and practical lessons with most lectures remaining online.

“Southern Cross has always and will continue to put the health and safety of our students and staff as our first priority,” Mr Morris said.

This means that COVID-safe preparations are underway and both students and staff will need to comply with certain precautions, such as observing social distancing, registering their attendance on campus each day and practising additional hand hygiene and sanitisation.

Orientation (February 22 to 26) for new students will take a different format this year.

Online information will be paired with small-group campus tours given by current students who will be on hand to show new students the ropes and get them settled in.

“We know that Orientation is an important part of any new student’s journey and being able to welcome people in person again is fantastic,” said Penny Leonard, Orientation Manager.

“We’ll be offering campus tours as part of the Orientation week with special COVID-safe provisions in place, including mandatory booking times and the use of the ServiceNSW app so we can contact trace people if we need to.”

By Sandra MOON