halls of residence and lockdown online learning

[ellanwood]

DS has just been allocated his chosen hall of residence. But has also been told next term may well be taught online.

Does anyone know if they will be expected to pay for a hall they are not living in because of lockdown restrictions, in order to secure a place? He doesn't want to lose this hall as it is a few minutes walk from faculty whereas the others are 40 mins away by public transport. But it's a lot of money if he isn't actually going to be living there for the first term.

What course is he due to study?

They may waive fees for the autumn term or ask for a reduced rate as many unis have done for this summer term.

The universities have not a clue what will be possible, so they are trying to continue with regular procedures until they have a clear picture what to do instead. If the course is possible online, then I would assume it Will be Online only & there's no point in having the dorm room.

@zaphodbeeble - thank you. That's helpful. So they've been paying a reduced fee for accommodation this summer, have they, even though they are not actually living there? Interesting. Seems hugely unfair on impoverished students, but I guess the unis are in a critical state financially too.

Modt unis have waived the accommodation fees for this term as students have all gone home. I would expect though, with new students starting September/October that they would teach with a mix of online and reduced size classes, and that students will live in their accommodation but be expected only to socialise with those in their own flat/house. It's just my opinion, but it seems to me a reasonable compromise to allow the new students to settle in.

@ellanwood my ds isn't paying anything for this term as we don't live too far away and were able to empty his room. Others who have had to leave stuff are paying 25%

But there seems to be no consensus and each uni has its own policy on this

If lessons are to be online only, I baulk at paying £150/week for a room my DC will have not visited and is going to be living and studying 200 miles away from!
Hopefully you're right @ZaZathecat; they'll let them move in, although it might be a bit isolating for those with first term anxiety if they're stuck in a flat with people they don't know (and maybe don't like), and can't easily get home. It's going to be a tough start for many, whatever happens.

Not all unis have waived the fees for this term. My DS has to pay the full amount, and has signed up for next year and could be in the same situation, even though he could do online from home.

There have been big differences between university owned accommodation and privately owned. Most universities seem to have waived accommodation charges, and UNITE have been good. Other private providers less so. Is the accommodation your DS has been allocated owned by the university?

What uni OP? So far the only one I have heard of is Manchester saying they will do lectures online but small group will be face to face

DD was in Halls this year and obviously had to leave early. They've refunded her a few weeks ago. I imagine whoever it is who runs the Halls will get in touch a bit nearer the time; I shouldn't think they have a clue what's going on right now, let alone in the autumn!

I have paid £3000 for the twins for this term (private landlords, year 3) and they have had nothing for that and no refunds, never mind £700 non refundable hotel bills for what was going to have have been their July graduation days - no refunds from the hotel for that. [ Now working on trying to get £2200 holiday deposit back as the holiday company cancelled on us today and a voucher is no use to me......]

@Xenia - I can imagine it might be very hard to claw back any money from the private landlords but won't hotels be set up to give refunds? Do you have annual travel insurance? Could you claim it back on that?