Going back to university??

[nostaples]

Does anybody know if this is allowed. DD1 says all her friends are going back but I don't think they're supposed to. I suppose they can't be stopped though?

@VanCleefArpels not a refund but it should be heavily discounted , my dd has not been able to go to the studio nor use any equipment , she chose that course and uni for the great facilities none of which she has had access to since March so I think yes she should be due a partial refund.

\my university had COVID rates were well below those of the general population in our city for the second half of last semester, after a surge during the beginning of term. Students had asymptomatic testing available before they went home, which identified very few cases, (maybe none, I can't remember) . Testing is available now for returning students. A large number of students chose not to go home over the Christmas period, for many overseas students it was either impossible or impractical because of quarantine requirements. Almost all students I have spoken to would rather be here, living with their peers, than at home, but some are choosing to stay at home, its good that they have the choice.

Are students being asked to vacate halls then if they are already there?
Dd went back this week as she can't properly work from home due to 3 younger siblings now all home learning and an older brother working from home! I am wondering if she may be sent home though (she's a First year, in halls) and if so if she'll get her rent back. Money is super tight as you can imagine and she can't do her normal catering part time job either currently....

Sorry, I’m only lowly teaching staff so I don’t know 100% yet.

The government actually have not realised the official documentation on Universities yet and it’s being expected to be published shortly before midnight tonight but we have no way of knowing for definite

I think there is no way students forced to stay home/not return to halls will not be refunded at least in part. Private landlords are a different matter.

It also depends on the subject they are Reading. Medical and Teaching ARE going ahead face to face, where placements are allowed. So those students will HAVE to be housed.

Autocorrect fail sorry!

Not RELEASED

(not realised)

Thanks Name Change. I appreciate we will just have to wait and see what happens. Heaven forbid the government should actually let, you know University staff, know what might happening lol!

BoJo on BBC now seems to be saying a) students need to stay away and b) they will 'look at' compensation for rents

@nostaples

BoJo on BBC now seems to be saying a) students need to stay away and b) they will 'look at' compensation for rents

The Prime Minister is talking out of his well padded arse. Private rentals are just that University owned Hall rentals - it will depend on each University and each Course and differing term dates.

Mine both wanted to go back and have done so,totally their decision as adults

@nostaples

BoJo on BBC now seems to be saying a) students need to stay away and b) they will 'look at' compensation for rents

well, obviously what he doesn't realise is it is rather too late to be saying that as a lot have already gone back! (as dd was told she was able to do by her uni) So once again it rather seems as if that horse has bolted. Now we have to wait and see if they send them all home again (from halls, probably not enforcable in private rented accomodation)

2 out of our 3 have already returned (in private accommodation) only the one in halls is still here and her halls have said she can return so no refund

My brothers step daughter is staying with them here;

There's no point travelling un-necessarily to go sit in a room in university accommodation when she could be at home with her family doing online learning here
it's not like she'll be doing anything face to face anyway so I really don't understand why people are bothering

The type of degree that my dd is doing means that there are some face to face teaching..its quite a specific degree shes doing. However her university are asking students to go back and self isolate and take covid tests be taken 2 weeks before they start.

So shes going back next week

Dd returning at the weekend, all of her flat have been positive within 2 weeks of starting uni, all isolated together, and all tested negative before coming home. The teaching will all be online, but she can't go out when she is home, or mix with others, at least when they are all there they can still isolate together and have company. I am NHS, so far negative for covid19, so she is far more at risk from me at home (not sure if she can get it again?) Her accommodation we thought was owned by the uni, however is owned by IQ students accommodation therefore no reduction in rent. She is paying over £150 for something she may not be able to use, just think how much money the landlord will save if all don't go back for heating, lighting, hot water etc , total rip off

Have any students heard about safety nets or no detriment policies?
I’m worried about how this will affect grades

[quote VanCleefArpels]@pumpkinpie01there is zero justification for refund of fees as the university is still providing an education, albeit in a different way.[/quote]
Yep exactly this.

@StudentHelp in what way will it impact grades do you think? DD has been writing essays, listening to lectures and participating in (Zoom) seminars, getting assignments marked as usual. Not sure there can be any complaint about the grades received when the teaching has in fact been provided

@VanCleefArpels
The mental health issues suffered by students due to the pandemic for a start! Practical exams are going ahead but the teaching hasn’t been fully covered yet. I did my dissertation fully online last term when it was meant to be field based so I didn’t use my own data and instead had to interpret someone else’s.

The course has been massively affected by coronavirus and last year’s cohort was given a no detriment policy, open book exams and practical exams cancelled. All my peers are feeling so down at the moment and multiple have lost family members. Life hasn’t been normal, I’ve been tier 4 throughout. I am able to return to university due to being a medicine based course but my boyfriend isn’t so I will be living alone for 7 weeks, potentially longer, in a different town to university.

@StudentHelp if it’s any reassurance my Dad’s Uni told them
In September that exams would be open book so that is a good mitigation. I don’t under estimate the mental health point but I think most students are buggering on as we all are and trying their best given the circumstances

DD not Dad!!

Dd1 is fine. Her uni has been brill and all online all day marked quickly and tutors freely available.

Think it very much depends on the course

@VanCleefArpels
We were told they will likely be closed book but we will get an official statement at the end of the month. I’m in the 4th year of my degree with 2 more to go and I’ve never felt this low.
I’ll be very upset if I can’t progress due to failing because of the stress of COVID. If I pass I’m guaranteed a 2:1 due to previous grades but I was really working hard for a 1st and now I can’t get my head straight to work as it’s overwhelming.

I don’t care about rent money (I’ll be living there anyway), I don’t want my tuition fees back, I’d just really like some support or reassurance.

My Dad is almost 75 with underlying health conditions. My friend lost a grandparent to COVID who was younger than my dad. I think if he was infected or became ill due to other pathogens he may end up very poorly. On top of that, he’s also suffering from memory loss (potentially dementia) and being very disruptive and nasty for no reason. I have worked through that over Christmas as I went home for a few days and then restrictions were put in place meaning I couldn’t travel to my boyfriend’s.

I personally think that’s a lot to deal with at 22 or maybe I’m just pathetic.

I don't think it's pathetic to be finding things stressful.
Plenty of people find studying hard, even without the restrictions we're under. Add in home/caring concerns such as you have with your Dad and that's even harder.

I hope you manage to keep studying to the best of your ability; I feel sure there will be a no detriment policy applied for this year too.

@StudentHelp you have a lot in your plate and (cliche alert) it’s OK not to feel OK about any of this. One of my kids is just a bit older than you and I can absolutely see how this is impacting your generation more than most.