University life for freshers (2019/20) - we're hopping towards Easter with a pandemic to avoid **Title edited by MNHQ**

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

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DS is at Nottingham and they have been told today that all lectures, seminars etc will be online from 23rd March. So, next week will be business as usual and then two weeks of online study before the Easter hols start on 3rd April.

That's a late break-up for Easter at Nottingham @blametheparents. UEA ends this term next weekend.

We don't breakup till 3rd April. We're all bloody desperate for it now! (DMU)

Aaaargh, DS says he has now seen those emails. Though not the actual one....
@Benjispruce, did they get back to you?

@NewModelArmyMayhem18 - yes, it is. Nottingham university doesn’t break for Easter until the same date that most schools do. They get 4 weeks off and go back in early May.

This is what he sent me. So they have to clear their rooms but no info on what to do if they can’t do it immediately

DD's uni have been striking, so she's been at home. Goes back on Monday. Already talking about coming back the following weekend (it's a 650 mile journey) - she loves uni but wants if there's any isolation/lockdown, then would rather be at home. So two long journeys next week on public transport!

Benji - I don’t think they are required to empty their rooms unless they are on a term-time only let, it’s just that they may prefer to do this now in case the uni is shut down and they do not return to college this academic year.

@Benjispruce @bigTillyMint

Dd's said they have just received an email saying that if they can take everything home it's probably a good idea. Dd can't as she's coming back by train, so won't.
It's coming across more as a precaution of "just in case we don't come back" rather than "you won't come back."

However dd is at a self catered college, so they have more stuff and they have (and pay for) the rooms through the holidays, so it may be different at catered where they have to move out.

Yes DD just got that and is reassured. I think I may have triggered that as the bottom of the email says ps Don’t believe rumours! I got an email today from an executive’ basically saying the same thing.

Witchend DD is currently at home due to strike and recovering from a recent operation. Due to go back on Monday. It's 650 miles away, so same as you not practical to empty her room. I think I'm going to tell her to bring back anything she really wants/needs, pack her spare suitcase and leave that at uni with name on outside (in hope storage company will collect), throw all rubbish out and we'll just have to hope for the best with the rest of it.

She needs to go back, but talking about coming back next weekend. Funnily enough, she'd rather risk isolation with her parents, than at uni where she has lots of lovely friends.

I was also told that that leaked screenshot was not official. Hence the rumour comment I guess.
It wasn’t on the website which I had obviously checked first do I knew the official stance, DD was concerned there was something else going on behind the scenes. The latest email this afternoon says “We ARE expecting you to return after Easter” so she feels a bit calmer.

@bigTillyMint Yes DD will be getting the train home too so can’t bring extra stuff. They say they want to deep clean and won’t be letting the rooms out for conferences as they expect them to be cancelled so those who normally pack away don’t have to- something about boxing up on desks and filling under-bed storage.

@Witchend catered halls don’t HAVE to move out unless they have en-suite rooms that are let out in the hols. DD doesn’t have en-suite so can leave her room intact in holidays.

we're 3rd April too - same as DD's school. I think there are quite a few Durham's on here and they're quite early

@Witchend @Benjispruce, DS is also planning on coming home by train so can’t carry, but has an en-suite room (not his/our choice!) and would normally have to lock away/empty his room. We have agreed to wait until definite plan to not reopen before we go for stuff.

@Bigtillymint he doesn’t need to this holiday anyway. Says on their after 4pm email.

Edinburgh and Essex have announced changes I see.

Different situation from everyone posting here I know, but DS is currently in Australia on gap year travels with two friends. They were due to leave for a tour of SE Asia on Tues but are staying another month at least in Oz and then reviewing. Yesterday I thought that was a good idea but now I’m wondering if the UK ( or Australia) are likely to advise against any air travel in or out of the country as the situation worsens.

Ds1 is at Glasgow. Having been quite badly affected by the strikes he has been told today that that's it for the academic year. They will be in touch about online exams in due course. Such a bizarre first year for him and now he's done for six months. He's quite thrown and upset for his international friends who are in limbo. Those who can get home have been told that they won't be able to leave again until further notice.

Yep, Edinburgh moving to remote learning and exams cancelled. DD at home at the moment, but going back next week to pack her stuff up and get into store (as it's to far to travel to clear out). She can always travel back up with a suitcase for a couple of weeks after Easter IF things change.

My dd has just text to say that she has heard that Bristol is shutting. Don’t know if that is 100% correct. She is a 4th year medic at Leeds & has been told that placements are being cancelled so they can focus on getting the final years qualified.

@hanasaunt that’s devastating. I’m so sorry for him. Why are they taken such drastic action?

@hanashunt I presume he’ll be reimbursed a term’s tuition and accommodation?

I find it odd that different universities are taking different approaches. I had some friends round for coffee this morning, and the universities our DC are at are all business as usual - Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield. Just advice about how to avoid corona virus and who to contact.