The Australian National University has urged its student residents to leave the campus during the COVID-19 health crisis.
In an online address, ANU Vice Chancellor Brian Schmidt (pictured) said if students were able to move off campus they should do so immediately.
“We need to change life at our residence, which I know is going to be hard but we just have to do it and we have to do it immediately,” Professor Schmidt said.
“We’re asking anyone who can leave, maybe to return to their family home, to please leave immediately.”
He said the ANU wanted to create more space in its residences so that they were easier to manage under the new COVID-19 measures.
“We know some students have no place else to go though and will need to stay on campus,” Professor Schmidt said.
“And for those students, you are welcome to stay.”
He said students worried about breaking their rental contracts with the ANU would not be penalised by leaving their residence.
“I can assure you – we will let you break your rental contract and stop paying for your room here,” Professor Schmidt said.
He said the university would also refund any excess rent paid in advance of a student’s departure date from the campus.
He said that for those students remaining on-campus, the rules were clear.
“You must keep your distance during this pandemic, even from ANU friends and neighbours.
“Because when you take risks, it’s not just your health and theirs that could suffer – it is their families and their wider communities,” Professor Schmidt said.
