LA TROBE University will not push back its semester one starting date, despite the federal government extending the coronavirus travel ban.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The federal government announced on Thursday all foreign nationals who were in mainland China on or after February 1 will not be allowed to enter Australia until 14 days after they have left, or transited through, mainland China.
Monash University announced it would push back its semester one starting date to March 9 because of the restrictions to its international students.
But a La Trobe University spokesperson said the university's semester would start as planned on March 2.
"La Trobe University is actively managing its response to the novel coronavirus situation," the spokesperson said.
"We are implementing the necessary steps to support the safety and wellbeing of all our students and staff, which is our first priority.
"This includes regular communications to staff and students across all our campuses, which includes the latest health and travel advice."
There are about 750 Chinese students at the university that have been impacted by the current travel ban, with fewer than 10 of those students based at the Bendigo campus.
The spokesperson said about 54 per cent of its Chinese students were already in Australia when the outbreak started.
"We are providing wide-ranging support and regular information to all our Chinese students impacted by the travel ban, and this will continue with the travel ban extension," the spokesperson said.
The university is providing personalised study plans - including online plans - to ensure students can continue studies without disruptions.
There will also be online orientation, the opportunity to defer, and other support services like counselling for affected students.
There have been a number of reported cases of racial profiling because of the coronavirus.
The university has called on its students to call out racism.
"Central to La Trobe's values and culture is respect for all," the spokesperson said.
"We heavily promote this to our new and continuing students at orientation and throughout the year and will be amplifying this further with regards the current situation with novel coronavirus.
"We do not tolerate any racial discrimination or abuse and we are encouraging students and staff to report any unacceptable behaviour via our Speak Up service."
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.