University

[tobee]

I'm surprised that nothing joined up has been said about university students. My son is currently half way through self isolating 14 days. Away at university.

I'm happy that he does whatever he's told by government but interested that I've not seen it mentioned.

I'm guessing stay put? It's particularly complicated because Dh who lives with us is one we need to shield.

I don't care as long as we follow the rules!!!

Errol - I'm guessing if they are working on anything which might contribute to a vaccine there will be an exception, but dh's University is cleared out, labs and all.
Of course the clinicians they work with in the med school part, have all been called back in to frontline work. The academics are all working from home - no lab work allowed. All sorts of projects just lost.

@BackforGood

Thanks for clarifying upthread.

Having spoken to an academic, she has confirmed that her university is closed. I suppose it is hugely difficult due to many having international students living on campus who are unable to travel.

As I understand, staff are working from home and teaching has moved online. I've read elsewhere on here that some universities have waived rest of year's rents for halls.

OP, I hope you're okay and your son is safe and well.

I work for a university and yes it's quite clear cut for the moment.
University shut, teaching online.
Accommodation remains open for those who can't get home..mainly international. Students I think.
The next big problem the university faces is how they do exams.. Can they do them remotely whilst ensuring no cheating
Also so many students have left the campus
And then we have phds who are due to defend their thesis to obtain their doctorate

So there is a bit of confusion to come im afraid
Not to mention graduation
Hope your ds is OK. Op

My DD is in final year at uni and has decided to stay put for now. She was planning to come home for the official two week Easter break but with the new restrictions being announced, has changed her mind.

She is in private rented accommodation and all her housemates are still there, who she loves being around. Also, it’s much easier to complete her dissertation and other uni work there because I don’t really have enough space at home for both DD and DS to comfortably WFH.

I would love her to be at home with us and I miss her terribly, but it’s a sensible decision by her IMO.

@Absentwomen Thanks for asking! He's fine at the moment!

Oh and thanks to frasersmummy for asking too!

@frasersmummydd was notified some time ago their graduations won't be happening.

I'd have thought they would reconvene and do them late Autumn / in the Spring though - all the gowns etc can be used then just as easily. Even if few academics attend, and it is for the graduands and their parents.

Isn't holding them at the end of the Summer term a newer thing anyway (by 'newer' could well be this Century )

Both dh and my graduations were in October and February half term weeks.

As I understand it, a lot of the medical students in certain years have been mobilised to work within some hospital capacities (not ICU, but freeing other staff to be released to do so).

Labs, relevant equipment, teaching space and parking spaces have been made available for NHS measures (the campus in question is very near to more than one hospital and medical faculty is closely affiliated to them).

However: if I had a DS or DD in accommodation there who was not part of those plans, and I could collect them to go home, I think I would be inclined to do so fairly soon in case of the need to isolate either in halls or home (where nobody should pick up if the uni suddenly had to change closure plans).