Mature student Covid concerns

[Trytogetby]

AIBU to think Uni should support my request to participate in group task remotely re Covid? I'm a single parent to DS age2 , mature student 15+ years older than other students with some Covid risk factors re health (but not a 'shielder') so been taking the social distancing seriously. All other modules online except this one. This is not a practical course so I see no reason why it can't be done remotely. I asked & was advised that it's to difficult to reorganise. AIBU to think they should be more flexible?

I can't see any modules being in person unless there is a real need (I work in uni student support). Is it the assessment component they're insisting needs to be in person or the module?

I'm on a course with 25 other students. I'm pregnant and high risk, and myself and 2 others are attending all classes virtually only. We've been fully supported by the University.

I'm teaching an undergraduate class this semester (no practical element) and it's all online. However, another department insisted on traipsing in 600 students over the course of a week for a class that could easily be taught online. My colleague took her concerns to the Big Wigs but was ignored, so she resigned.

It's ridiculous taht they are still teaching non practical courses f2f.
Yes, they should absolutely support you.

Have you spoken to student wellbeing?

Officially our uni is pushing a lot of f2f. We were told to advise worried students to defer if they weren't happy coming in. That's all well and good but this situation is changing all the time. it is hard on staff but you're not being unreasonable. There could be a discussion about options.

It may not be possible to do f2f and online in same session though.

Thanks for all your comments & support. Good to hear other people's experiences too. Things are changing every day so I might wait a week or so then raise the issue again if I still feel uncomfortable.

Are they doing an online option?

Ours is having that option as well as face to face teaching too.

@Lizzieee2727

I can't see any modules being in person unless there is a real need (I work in uni student support). Is it the assessment component they're insisting needs to be in person or the module?

All of the modules at my university are offline except ones which are already available online before covid, they aren't planning to make any of them available online because 'we aren't required to'

I'm glad some uni's are taking things seriously with regard to all online, I've had to programme nearly 50 access cards to let students into our department during October.

Excuse being that we 'need' to give them the University experience!!

They are also talking about cutting down on the cleaners coming in during a 2 hour lunch time, just when rates are increasing substantially, most other support staff are still working from home but not me and the facilities staff.

I protested all the way but I feel that if I get unwell then I will just be collateral damage - what a way to feel valued in your job!

That's appalling.

Speak to your personal tutor and also student services - accessibility. You have a genuine need. My uni has worked so hard to get everything on line for the start of the year!!

I'm a university lecturer. I can't believe my colleagues' reluctance to teach face to face. I'm really disappointed by it. Its such a disappointing university experience for the students already and to be honest, people are using it as an excuse for an easy life. Supermarket staff and others are out there day after say and have been throughout - I stand further away my from 6-8 students in a meticulously cleaned classroom in an almost empty university. I dont feel as much at risk as going to the supermarket.

Prepared to be flamed, but you know its true

I also worry that we are encouraging people who would already rather hide away from others to think it's a good thing. It's going to be very hard to get back from this behaviour.

mature student 15+ years older than other students

But in many cases that would make you early 30s if you're on an undergrad with people straight from school.

Our uni didn't have 6-8 students on my course, nor were classes meticulously cleaned. (Bit of a hazmat situation even without covid!).

I agree that it's disappointing and it's not the usual experience, but from what I've seen most classes really aren't what you describe in terms of manageability. Plus the amount of cases unies are reporting... With ususal f2f I don't doubt it would be higher.

@IncandescentSilver

You think face to face teaching should continue, despite cases rising faster than the predicted worse case scenario? Surprised universities haven't all planned how to move courses online in the event of another lockdown.

[quote Hobnobsandbroomstick]@IncandescentSilver

You think face to face teaching should continue, despite cases rising faster than the predicted worse case scenario? Surprised universities haven't all planned how to move courses online in the event of another lockdown.[/quote]
Universities have planned for having to move things online, but many will resist doing so for as long as possible. I'm pretty sure mine will announce tomorrow that nothing will change after Thursday. To be fair, there are a lot less infections on campus now than there were two or three weeks ago, so it does seem odd that we would move online now when we didn't then.

@IncandescentSilver

I'm a university lecturer. I can't believe my colleagues' reluctance to teach face to face. I'm really disappointed by it. Its such a disappointing university experience for the students already and to be honest, people are using it as an excuse for an easy life. Supermarket staff and others are out there day after say and have been throughout - I stand further away my from 6-8 students in a meticulously cleaned classroom in an almost empty university. I dont feel as much at risk as going to the supermarket.

Prepared to be flamed, but you know its true

I also worry that we are encouraging people who would already rather hide away from others to think it's a good thing. It's going to be very hard to get back from this behaviour.

While I have every respect and sympathy for people such as supermarket staff who have had little option, at 63 and with asthma and hypertension, if I get Covid then there's an appreciable risk that it wil end in death or significant damage. I don't see why that risk is justified by the 'student experience'. Everyone's experience of everything is harmed at the moment. My DW is disabled and my DC are still teenagers, and, irrespective any personal wish not to die just yet, I'm still the largest income provider and were I to die now their lives would be hugely impacted.

It's not exactly "face to face". At my university, I'm about 6 metres away from the nearest student, they all stay in the same room and I move about. They're in bubbles which are only in once every 3 weeks. I am far, far closer, or face to face if you like, to everyone else in public settings. There are hand sanitisers everywhere, I cart my own laptop about with me. The university is virtually empty. It feels much much safer than a petrol station or a supermarket.

If it were actually face to face I would agree with you, but as it is, I have to really project my voice to be heard by the students as they are so far away from me.

OP you must be 35 at the oldest, I cannot see what difference being a mature student makes here, other than childcare responsibilities which are nothing to do with coronavirus.

I'm perfectly happy to teach. Not everyone feels the same, but please don't let a union or someone else tell me what to think. Its hard enough to motivate the majority of students to actually work and do the reading at the best of times, putting it all online cgeaiens the value of the education they will be getting no matter how good you make the content. It's very hard to get students to interact online fur one thing, and that really is a skill they need when they go out to the workplace. Never mind them not having to turn up to an onoi e lecture and being able to download it at their leisure, which is no guarantee of them having read the materials.

The university is virtually empty. It feels much much safer than a petrol station or a supermarket.
That's because your colleagues are (rightfully) reluctant to teach f2f...

OP, if I were you I would email your lecturers or the Head of Department and tell them you're not happy to attend classes on campus, and ask what provision there is for you to access the materials, sessions etc. remotely. I'm sure you're not the only student concerned.

My university won't let us move to teaching fully online even though their mitigations and risk assessments aren't fit for purpose. Cleaning is not done between classes and loads of teaching on campus that doesn't need to be. Although there have been rumours of everything going online to allow students to self isolate for 2 weeks so they can then enjoy themselves at Christmas.

Tier 3 area where lots of students (though not all) live at home and commute to campus on public transport.

I’m facing same situation as you - 29, due to go back to uni in Jan (been off for ages with mental health) .

Would involve a move of 250 miles back to halls of residence ....

Lecturer is convinced we will have full lectures (class of 50), seminars, clinical skills workshops, placement in nursing homes and hospitals, societies, union, halls of residence .

I think she’s talking BS and being paid to do it !!

I’m away to speak to my union to try and get back up for remote teaching and delayed placement ... hopefully !

FWIW Student support said to me last week most unis are only after the money, hence policy to get everyone back in face to face ...

While I have every respect and sympathy for people such as supermarket staff who have had little option, at 63 and with asthma and hypertension, if I get Covid then there's an appreciable risk that it wil end in death or significant damage. I don't see why that risk is justified by the 'student experience'. Everyone's experience of everything is harmed at the moment. My DW is disabled and my DC are still teenagers, and, irrespective any personal wish not to die just yet, I'm still the largest income provider and were I to die now their lives would be hugely impacted.

I think you are spot on with this. We’re all having to make sacrifices and, unfortunate though it is for this years’ students, particularly undergrads, their right to a “student experience” does not outweigh your right to health and a safe working environment. There may well be many institutions that are taking adequate precautions to protect their staff, but many others are not (mine included).

OP, YANBU - people need to realise that these are not normal times and many of our situations have changed drastically. I think you should definitely raise this with your personal tutor at the very least. You’re hardly asking for the world on a plate!

No, Schrodingersimpact, the university is virtually empty because students are divided into 6-8 person bubbles and are only in for 1 day every 3 weeks. So if one of them tests positive, the entire bubble are quarantined. The students stay in the same room or lecture theatre throughout that day and the lecturers move around, thus minimising movement and potential Ross contamination.

Study spaces in the library have to be pre booked and are socially distanced. There aren't very many of them.

It really isn't difficult to understand - I explained it above.

@IncandescentSilver - it really depends on uni. at mine - if someone in your classroom tests positive for Covid we are not allowed to let the other students' know. So no one isolates.

Realistically - unis are only doing it because of cash. No idea why the government is doing it because frankly it's a public health disaster. Its all very well telling students to socially distance but they wont.

OP - honestly I think you should get to your union. Currently, they are the only ones who can do anything. thats what shut them down in the spring.

So you're around 35? Get a grip