Return to university

[SouthCoastShell]

I've just watched all of Boris's announcement and he doesn't mention when students can return to university. Does anyone know when students are allowed to return?

[Flyonawalk]

I would also like to know this. It seems incredible that students are being ignored again.

[Flyonawalk]

...Wales has confirmed that students can return to campus.

[sluj]

All the students I know have been back for several weeks already. My two went back in early January as did all of their friends.

[Cookerhood]

Mine has been in his university town since Christmas but I'd like to know when he will get some actual teaching/practicals.

[TheDrsDocMartens]

One of mine is pretty much finished for the year but all her stuff is still at uni and not allowed to collect it yet😬

[incywincyspiders]

They have been back for weeks (I work on a university campus)

[ErleighBird]

@Cookerhood

Mine has been in his university town since Christmas but I'd like to know when he will get some actual teaching/practicals.

This is my position too.

[GCAcademic]

@incywincyspiders

They have been back for weeks (I work on a university campus)

Arts and Social Science students have not been allowed to have F2F teaching. There was supposed to be a decision today about whether they could do so after Easter,

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

Many students haven't been allowed to return, especially those who live in university owned accommodation. They seem to be entirely invisible to the government and the media aren't picking up on it.

[BackforGood]

Arts and Social Science students have not been allowed to have F2F teaching. There was supposed to be a decision today about whether they could do so after Easter,

Nor most STEM, but that isn't what the OP was asking.

My dd went back in January, and said more than 3/4 seem to be at University in her block.

[ErleighBird]

I agree they've been forgotten- again.

There seems so much variation- my son and many of his friends are in university accommodation and have all been back in halls since Christmas.

[Ironoaks]

There are two separate questions here:

(a) When will face to face teaching resume?
DS is in the first year of a practical science course. He is scheduled to have several weeks of teaching next term. His university hasn't yet announced whether they will be offering any in person lab practicals next term (despite this being permitted by the guidelines since 8 March). He isn't expecting large-scale lectures to take place in person for obvious reasons, but socially distanced lab practicals would be helpful and maybe tutorials (2 students + 1 supervisor).

(b) When will students be allowed to return to university accommodation?
DS's college has not allowed him access to his accommodation (via an electronic keycard which they control) since 4 December. To be fair, they haven't charged rent since then. He is due to be living there from mid-April to mid-June; he doesn't yet know when or if he'll be able to access his room again.

[ErleighBird]

@Ironoaks

There are two separate questions here:

(a) When will face to face teaching resume?
DS is in the first year of a practical science course. He is scheduled to have several weeks of teaching next term. His university hasn't yet announced whether they will be offering any in person lab practicals next term (despite this being permitted by the guidelines since 8 March). He isn't expecting large-scale lectures to take place in person for obvious reasons, but socially distanced lab practicals would be helpful and maybe tutorials (2 students + 1 supervisor).

(b) When will students be allowed to return to university accommodation?
DS's college has not allowed him access to his accommodation (via an electronic keycard which they control) since 4 December. To be fair, they haven't charged rent since then. He is due to be living there from mid-April to mid-June; he doesn't yet know when or if he'll be able to access his room again.

If many universities have never stopped students living in their accommodation is it a decision for the individual institution and not the government?

[igivein]

At my uni we’ve been told that the decision will be announced (by the government) on 12th April

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

Some universities are interpreting the government rules much more strictly than others. Some allow back any students who ask with supportive reasons. Others are incredibly restrictive in the criteria that they deem acceptable. The argument though lies with the government - it is their rules that is leading to a wide range of inequity and different interpretations.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

I hope that turns out to be accurate igivein. I also hope that return isn't put back until mid May.

[ErleighBird]

@OhYouBadBadKitten

Some universities are interpreting the government rules much more strictly than others. Some allow back any students who ask with supportive reasons. Others are incredibly restrictive in the criteria that they deem acceptable. The argument though lies with the government - it is their rules that is leading to a wide range of inequity and different interpretations.

Thanks for the explanation 😊

If I didn't see it on here I'd have no idea anyone wasn't allowed back!

[Pearlypinknails]

Someone asked this earlier on WIWIKAU and it sounds like most recent either back or going back in the next week or so.

[Ironoaks]

@igivein

At my uni we’ve been told that the decision will be announced (by the government) on 12th April

Thank you @igivein - I hope so.

[Ironoaks]

And some institutions are using the lack of clarity from the government as something to fall back on...

[fiveoldteddies]

DC hasn't got any more lectures anyway and I think exams scheduled to be online...

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

I think that because some universities/courses don't run lectures during this term, the assumption can be that all universities operate that way. It's not true though, some do run things right into the end of June.

[Hoghgyni]

Last month Boris posted a video on Twitter saying that students may be allowed to return to universities in May or September. Although nobody can stop students returning to private accommodation, lots of university facilities are still shut, university owned halls remain closed and there have been few opportunities for freshers to find friends to live with next year whilst watching online lectures from bedrooms in their parents' houses many miles away.

The public assumed they had all gone back to uni on 8 March when schools reopening, but understandably only care if they have family still at home. The government feel free to ignore them, as students tend not to vote and they would rather focus on Daily Mail readers who are worried about their summer holidays.

[ErleighBird]

@Hoghgyni

Last month Boris posted a video on Twitter saying that students may be allowed to return to universities in May or September. Although nobody can stop students returning to private accommodation, lots of university facilities are still shut, university owned halls remain closed and there have been few opportunities for freshers to find friends to live with next year whilst watching online lectures from bedrooms in their parents' houses many miles away.

The public assumed they had all gone back to uni on 8 March when schools reopening, but understandably only care if they have family still at home. The government feel free to ignore them, as students tend not to vote and they would rather focus on Daily Mail readers who are worried about their summer holidays.

I agree with this except it's only some university owned accommodation that is closed - my son is living in one now, it's about 3/4 full and his school friends are living in university owned halls across the country.

It's not perfect for them but nearly all of them have at least their flatmates to socialise with and have managed to sign up for houses for next year.

I do agree it's uneven, students are forgotten and it's an all round shit situation for them.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

I just don't understand how at some universities so many are back and at others, very few, but the government won't just allow those who want to go back to do so.