Adjusted Alert Level 4: What it means for you as a Unisa student

The Adjusted Alert Level 4 announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday evening means that we need to do everything we can to combat the spread of Covid-19, while also ensuring that teaching and learning continues. The following arrangements are challenging for us all, but Unisa is still operational and will be fully online during the Alert Level 4 period.

1. Study material

Your study material is available on myUnisa and you can access it at all times. Alternatively, download your study material by clicking on the following link: https://myadmin.unisa.ac.za/tool/af040db7-120b-4090-a500-19357ea638f1/default.do

2. Assignments

The closing dates for all second assignments have been extended to after 1 July 2021. Since the closing dates differ from module to module, please check your myUnisa module sites for the revised due dates.

Note that this concession excludes modules with continuous assessment, online assessment and those modules where the summative assessment is a portfolio. This extension also does not apply to ECP students.

2.1    Submitting assignments

Submitting assignments via myUnisa is fast and reliable. Simply follow the instructions onscreen.

You can submit your assignments in the following ways:

• Using a computer with internet access: If you have typed your assignment, save the document in PDF format and submit it via myUnisa.
• Using a smart phone: You can use a smart phone to submit handwritten assignments. Download a scanner app (many of them are available free of charge), and use your smart phone to scan the completed assignment cover page and all the assignment pages. Then upload these to myUnisa.

2.2    How should I submit an assignment to myUnisa?

Login to myUnisa, click on "myAdmin", "Assessment Admin" and then on "Assignment Submission". Choose the module and the specific assignment you want to submit. Remember to click "Submit" once you have finished uploading your assignment.

If you need assistance with how to access myUnisa, click here for a step-by-step guide.

We recommend students use the Microsoft Lens app for scanning examinations and assignments. You can use the following links to access the app:

• How to Scan & Prepare Handwritten Exam Answers Using Microsoft Office Lens_Android
• How to Scan & Prepare Handwritten Exam Answers Using Microsoft Office Lens_Ios

3. Examinations

• If you are a final-year student writing Early Completion examinations, or writing a supplementary or aegrotat examination, you will already have received your examination timetable for your June/July 2021 online examinations.
• All other undergraduate examinations will be written during the September, October and November 2021 examination period.
• CTA2 students are already aware of their test dates and that they will be writing their tests online.
• Please ensure that you submit the necessary assignments per module to gain examination entry. See your various tutorial letters in this regard.
• Remember to use the scanner app recommended above.

4. Contacting your lecturer

Only essential staff will be present on Unisa's campuses. Your lecturers have diverted their office phones to their private phones and can still be reached on their office phone number. Please only phone during office hours if needed. Use e-mail wherever possible to contact Unisa staff.

5. Practicals

All labs and practicals will be deferred until it is safe for students to attend.

Special permits will be granted to master's and doctoral students and researchers needing to conduct research in the laboratories.

With the early closure of schools, the Teaching Practice Unit in the College of Education will communicate with students on how to proceed with teaching practicals that may have been disrupted.

6. Library

• Students, academics and researchers are strongly advised to access the Library online via myUnisa, the website and the Library app. All books must be renewed online on the Library website. Clients are encouraged to renew library material online via the Library website and the Library app: https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/c.php?g=355436&p=2399268 
• Library fines/blocks: Clients with library related blocks or fines queries are advised to contact the library on 012 429 3389  / 3136  / 3198 or library-fines@unisa.ac.za during office hours.
• Personal Librarian services for postgraduate students / academics may still be provided via the following platforms: MS Teams, Zoom and webinars.

Finally …

We wish all Unisa students, their families and the entire Unisa community health and safety as we jointly fight this global pandemic.

Unisa management