Closed till September - why?

[emkana]

I don't understand unis that are already closing now till September. Seems rather premature when we don't actually know what will happen? I know there's talk of 10 to 12 weeks but still?

that's interesting listening, my initial reaction was that for those graduating this year it would not be such a blow because they are already psychologically preparing to leave, and looking forward to the next stage of their lives - so it's those who are still settling in in 1st yr who will find it hardest. But now you say that, yes I do see your point.

For this years' graduates it should be possible to have a later celebration i hope - not the same, but maybe a way of marking their final achievement?

Do you remember that feeling walking out of your last exam
along with hundreds of other students
knowing you'd hit the goal to graduate
and going to the bar en masse

for me it was over 30 years ago and I can still tell you what the weather was doing

this years kids will not get that
its not even certain that they will get graduation ceremonies

the reminiscence bump is at its peak around age 21

and looking forward to the next stage of their lives
Working from home in a world with no international travel........
oh joy

Bristol finish tomorrow until April 20th.

We are "working on the details of delivering teaching and assessing work for next term".

So physically shut but all staff expected to be working etc.

Good point listening, what a scary time to be graduating - and completely without warning that it would be like this.

I'll believe the Universities going back after Easter when I see it
ditto the schools

They won't be physically "going back", no, that's already been made clear by most universities. But teaching and exams will continue online.

I think it may vary - some may physically go back. But I admit that predictions at this stage are likely to be wrong!

Which universities are saying that they will go back after Easter? As far as I can see, even the ones which were dragging their feet, like Newcastle and Oxford Brookes, have ended up making the decision this week to move their teaching and assessment online for the rest of the academic year.

DS's Uni only stopped lectures/seminars on Monday. All his lecture material is put on line anyway - and some lectures were recorded. He'd only just returned after a week off due to surgery on his foot. The library is still open though but i haven't seen any info on extra precautions - just reduced opening hours (let's hope that's so they can clean!)
DS in final year and has another 2 weeks 'teaching' before Easter and 3 weeks after. Who knows what will happen. He is in an area with only 2 reported cases so far (although he pointed out that there is probably only 1 now as the 1st case was weeks ago).

So they are paying rent on houses there is no point them visiting

paying deposits and rent for the summer on houses they will not live in
nice little earner for the landlords

paying tuition fees for contact time they will not get

how exactly is one supposed to do an experimental or practical subject remotely?

what about students without decent broadband at the parental home ?

Universities are working flat out to try to solve these problems. I’ve been in 3 days of meetings, and have clicked up my salaried 37 hours already in 3 days. With another 4 to go before we end this week.

It might behove parents to be rather less impatient or aggressive about the ways we are working - in a situation which changes daily if not hourly - to keep your children safe and everyone alive.

Gulls
I have absolute sympathy for the University folks (many of whom are friends)
I have zilch sympathy for the money grabbing landlords

DD has had an email to say that if she clears out of halls now we don't have to pay for next term.

DS is doing nursing. He lives in the uni residencies and says the campus is deserted as everyone else has gone home. All gyms, pubs, socials etc closed. The nursing students are still expected to attend placements.
He is doing 12 hour days, and walking 3 miles each way to get there.
He is pretty resilient but even he is getting fed up. Has bought himself some art supplies instead of vodka and says he might go fishing at the weekend.

Serin, that sounds rough. DD is also sorry for fifth year medical students who are being rushed through their qualifications, have had their electives cancelled and who are expected to finish the year by working, unpaid, on wards.

It's all so unknown. DD is a bit like your son Haff. She came straight home as soon as the medical school was closed, and then panicked about the placements she was missing. She seems to have calmed down now, though I don't know how much she is getting done. Self motivation is going to be very difficult. They have big exams at the end of this year, but until she knows the format, it will be difficult.

There are so many difficult stories. One of her close friend's dad is recovering from major illness, so her friend is reluctant to go home, yet is starting to realise she cannot stay in Bristol. An Asian friend's son is studying at KCL, but can't get a flight till mid next week. There is a good chance Heathrow will be closed by then.

(Sorry, some of the post above should have been on the 3rd year student thread.)

A chance though to hope everyone, and their DC, stay well. We are in central London, so a day or two from lockdown. It is going to be very strange.

its not really closed until september - which does seem a long way off - if they're closed next term its only until the end of May.

Next term is mainly prep for exams and assessments so if they aren't confident about getting back up and running in the next 4 weeks (end of easter) then safer to just stay closed for the extra few weeks.

its not really closed until september - which does seem a long way off - if they're closed next term its only until the end of May.

There's a lot more to most universities than the undergrads, they're usually far from deserted over the summer - my understanding is that a lot are closing libraries, other facilities and just keeping some of the research labs going.

What @FlockofGulls said.