Uni students... risking the wrath of mn..

[redgin]

Firstly, I have had 2 children go through uni and out the other side and I fully understand the emotional and financial aspects.

But

They leave home, expect to be treated as adults (rightly) and have their first taste of independence. After a summer debating the risks of going to uni this year in the middle of a pandemic why are they surprised they have to isolate in their rented accommodation like anyone else? That they have to follow the rules like the rest of the law abiding?

IMO they chose to go, they couldn't have expected normal, so get on with it.

@sorryforswearing

It was madness to allow them to go with numbers creeping up. Students wouldn’t have been expecting to have to isolate in such numbers . The government are responsible for public health and they should have been making rules to keep students safe. If the news is to be believed they were warned by the scientists. Another example of government incompetence to follow all the others. Quite honestly I despair.

But the government has made rules? And the students ignore! 2m social distance hasn’t gone away ....

just see the news of people, all people, not just students, outside the pubs at throwing out time, no social distancing

Best thing is to defer for a couple of years and get some proper life experience

Actually, during a recession when there are high levels of unemployment the best thing to do is stay in education- ride it out while getting a qualification and in most cases experience as universities will still be offering some placements( although they'll look different)

Traditional gap years are out too due to travel restrictions.

For many young people university was ( and still is) the best option.

The government have thrown young people and universities under a bus and it's an absolute disgrace. Blame them - not the students and not the universities

why is it the government's fault?
why is it anyone's fault?

IMO they chose to go, they couldn't have expected normal, so get on with it.

The empathy is blinding me

There wasn't exactly masses of options for them was there!?

🙄

@Browneyesbigbum

Indeed *@redgin*

They lack any common sense if they fail to realise that they need to isolate like anyone else if infection breaks out at their university.
It was extremely obvious that this would happen so how can they or their parents moan!

I agree. Having taught thousands of 18 year olds..I can't speak for all but despite schools banging on about 'resilience' for years there really isn't a lot of it (or hasn't been for at least 15 years... since the teachers started spoon feeding kids through exams). However it is terrible if they are being 'locked in' to their accommodation. I agree that parents should have predicted this but maybe some believed the bullshit that kids don't get it or spread it🤦‍♀️

It’s a fortnight of self-isolating.
Is that a real fortnight, or a Saint Boris fortnight?

Will they then be told “actually, you have to stay like this for another month.”

Just as “we can turn this virus around in twelve weeks” morphed into twelve months from then?

I would send mine - as I understand it there are more with places this year already, but if they stay home with a view to going 2021 what is going to happen to those finishing school next summer. Is your lDC going to be prioritised?? Or will it be a bigger bun fightwith different problems??
Then on graduation 3/4 years later they'll graduate with many more than usual into a reduced job market.
It's sad but send them anyway if they can cope with the lockdown, being stuck at home with no social life is bad too.

It’s like the students thought the virus had gone away at the start of term. It’s not like they didn’t know there was a worldwide pandemic! What were they expecting? To be able to lead a normal uni experience in the middle of a pandemic??!
Don’t get me wrong, I do feel sorry for them. It’s not the experience they had hoped for. And we’ve all lost out on stuff this year - everyone is suffering one way or another.
But - They have a roof over their head, food and an opportunity to learn and get educated. Something millions around the world don’t have access to ‘in normal times’.

I watched the news last night and seeing the big groups of drinkers congregating when the pubs closed at 10pm I think blame can be fairly shared out. Of course individuals have to take responsibility for their own behaviour.

Don't get me wrong I think the government are criminally negligent for so many things during this, I am in no way saying they aren't to blame. They are a disorganized unscrupulous shower of shit.

i agree, my dd went back for second year,
it was either that or stay at home with not much social life.
at least they can still be sociable in their household bubble

@Dee1975

It’s like the students thought the virus had gone away at the start of term. It’s not like they didn’t know there was a worldwide pandemic! What were they expecting? To be able to lead a normal uni experience in the middle of a pandemic??! Don’t get me wrong, I do feel sorry for them. It’s not the experience they had hoped for. And we’ve all lost out on stuff this year - everyone is suffering one way or another. But - They have a roof over their head, food and an opportunity to learn and get educated. Something millions around the world don’t have access to ‘in normal times’.

Exactly what I said to a younger aged class yesterday about gratitude during these times.

my dd just wants the price of this year to be reduced , which is a fair point.
that is what we should be backing.

and as said, we are all suffering, in one way or another.

@Tomatoesneedtoripen

why is it the government's fault? why is it anyone's fault?

The government told universities to offer f2f teaching

The government refused to offer any financial support to the sector meaning if universities didn't recruit well they'd probably go bust

The government put a students numbers cap in place in order to protect middle to low tariff universities ( who play an important role in social mobility) but then removed it whey they cocked up A level results

The government told universities they had to honour all offers made on A level results day meaning some universities over recruited making f2f delivery impossible due to space and social distancing.

All of this on the back years of government policy which now means university education is seen as a commodity. Students are customers which in itself creates huge issues.

So yeah ..... I do blame the government

Goodness the views on this thread are very different time mine.
Why didn't the Uni's, Who had promised face-to-face lectures and then realise that they couldn't : why didn't uni's inform the students a few days before the start, so that the students can make an informed decision?

I am so sick of all the student bashing and blaming, on here and everywhere else.

Those photos all over the media of people out drinking and socialising - they could be anyone, but students get the blame.

They just want to get on with their lives like the rest of us but are being treated like criminals. Just so sick of it.

thank you @SueEllenMishke

@SueEllenMishke agree 100%. This inept, corrupt government have thrown students and universities under the bus - just like they have done with teachers, care home workers and residents, healthcare workers etc. They want us to blame each other - anyone but them. We cannot forget this.

What precisely are young people meant to do OP?

Honestly, some of the opinions on here.....

My dd just started uni- they are all making the best of it, and being mindful of guidelines.

Her friends are doing the same. The majority are being careful.

Meanwhile, our local FE college is operating pretty much as normal. Packed classrooms etc.

What else, exactly, should young people do?
Your post has really made me angry!

I think it's very interesting all the assumptions that are being made on this thread - clearly a lot of people don't know any students at uni

My DS just gone into 2nd year - he had to sign up for his rental house in May - at that point we were told it's a mix of F2F and online lectures

He moved into his house and when he checked his timetable he hasn't a single F2F session in the whole of the first term - everything is online - So that's £4000 for his accommodation (plus food money) and £9000 tuition for something he could have stayed at home for.

He isn't moaning and neither are his housemates or friends - I've said to him that they still have to abide by the rule of 6 and he and they have done that

A lot of victim blaming on this thread - it's shameful

My Dc was told ‘blended learning’ including live tutorials and lab time alongside online lectures, online Freshers Fair with some socially distanced / small group live events. Fine. Signed the (extremely expensive) accommodation contract.

Suddenly : all teaching online, no lab time, no activities at all outside your hall, no introduction to the pastoral / accommodation managers, nothing.

And this is not due to isolating; they have no known cases.

And then, after signing the contract and arriving “WHAM! Now you can’t leave and can’t go home to your family for Christmas!”

OP: you wait til that happens to your 18 year old before you join the smug self satisfied student/blankets.

The Gvt say ‘not our issue, Universities are self-regulating’, but every other major sector has received support. But it is 18 year olds sacrificing their education who are expected to keep paying to keep the Unis afloat.

@Tomatoesneedtoripen

my dd just wants the price of this year to be reduced , which is a fair point. that is what we should be backing.

and as said, we are all suffering, in one way or another.

You need to ask the government to support this then.....

It costs more than 9k to run degree courses and this year will be no different. University staff are still working and still need to be paid.
online teaching is not cheaper.....or necessarily poorer quality.
If universities are forced to reduce fees without government support many of your children won't have universities to go back to next year.

my dd and her friend were lamenting it was their fault, i told them it wasnt their fault
we need to tell our students this but remind them that going to indoor pubs is a minefield and to socially distance!

Schrodinger's adults, facilitated by some parents.

That said, it seems government treat them the same, adults unless it involves taking into account parental income.

If there were any locked fire doors on halls without 24-hour security (I doubt it as that would be criminal) then I would hope that prosecutions are considered.