Source: University of Canterbury
07 May 2020
New fund launched by the UC Foundation to support students suffering hardship or challenges that make it difficult for them to continue or return to their studies in the COVID-19 environment.
A message from Tumu Kaunihera | Chancellor Sue McCormack and Vice-Chancellor | Tumu Whakarae Professor Cheryl de la Rey:
As a community we are familiar with making significant sacrifices during trying times. Together we successfully navigated the Canterbury earthquakes and the March 15 Mosque attacks, and now we’ve endured over four weeks of lockdown in our homes as we face a global pandemic. As we look forward to the easing of restrictions, we have confidence that we will emerge from the lockdown with renewed vigour as we focus on what is important to us. As a UC community we will bounce back with strength, but we do recognise that we will continue to be faced with challenges as we adjust to the new post COVID-19 environment.
The pandemic propelled us into a situation that brought to the fore our innovative, creative and responsive capabilities, and with that insight and experience, we will be relying on you to contribute to ways we can mitigate the challenges and continue to deliver high quality teaching and research. UC also has a key role to play in the recovery of the Canterbury economy post COVID-19, and we encourage you to engage with our partners, businesses and mana whenua.
In response to current circumstances, as Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor, together with all members of UC Council, we have volunteered a 20% pay reduction for the next six months which will go towards a fund to support students experiencing hardship.
This new fund Kono Iti has the goal of helping our students to keep studying and to support their learning during these uncertain times, especially helping them return for Semester 2. The fund may be used in different ways to support students who have experienced unexpected hardship associated with the impact of COVID-19. The funds may be used to help with transport, books, additional expenses associated with vulnerable or immuno-compromised students or family, extra energy costs or other special needs caused by the extraordinary environment we face. If you are interested in making a voluntary donation to the new fund for students, please email.
We appreciate the UC community going the extra mile in shaping our response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the ongoing dedication to teaching, research, and supporting both a quality student experience and graduates who make a difference.
