University 2020 :9: And they're off, making hay while the sun shines.

[MillicentMartha]

New thread, trying to be upbeat!

Old thread www.mumsnet.com/Talk/higher_education/3996883-University-2020-8-Use-the-CAGs-don-t-use-the-CAGs?pg=40

Fair enough

@GaribaldiGirl sorry to hear that your dd was so unhappy and hopefully she can return once restrictions are lifted.

Oratory Manchester have extended their Freshers week to an online fortnight. Not exactly sure why? DS’s hall was one of the last to get a slot and he’s still getting a whole fortnight before lectures start. It’s too long IMO.

Thanks Eve. I don't think ds is expecting many freshers events so probably won't be disappointed. He has friends in Leeds and Manchester who are locked down so is fully expecting the same to happen to him over the coming weeks.
He's in Falkner Eggington halls. Still not packed....
Still, we've just had a lovely evening with us and his girlfriend reminiscing about his childhood - school reports, videos, demerits(!) etc and a take away and Prosecco. He doesn't usually engage much with us and his 3 younger sisters so it was a lovely way to celebrate his next step.
Role on tomorrow!!

Good luck @pasanda, @TerfTerfTerf anyone else moving in today!

@pasanda Hope everything goes well with the move :)

Daughter - Lancaster - Grizedale Townhouse.
Update after the the move yesterday : She messaged hubby last night with what happened after we left. She and another met up with 4 other physicists she has been chatting with online since April lockdown; and plans to have meet ups with them and book library slots close to each other so they at least work together. Then she went back to her flat for S* shirt night. They booked a table at Grizedale bar and went and had drinks there. Fully supportive they were with the fact she doesn't drink alcohol. Then went back to flat and played music till 11pm. The porters come round checking there's no loud music after this time, so she went to bed about half past 11. She also won popularity points in the townhouse, because her old mum had bought a white board. They now have names and birthdays on and also a 'chunder chart'. Fortunately with no alcohol consumption she will not be winning that one. They have all chipped in £10 so they can have a projector so they can watch movies and programs on :). So far so good :)

DS's flat already have been fined for late night noise (11.01pm!!) They were raided by SEVEN security guards and a sniffer dog, obviously expecting to find an illegal party. No, just 10 of the 13 flat mates socialising in their kitchen. Fined the whole flat anyway. Unfortunately they are one of the biggest flats, all lads and live opposite the warden flat so their cards are well and truly marked.

All this in so-called freshers week with nothing much being organised, and now in local lockdown so 10pm closing everywhere. They are all adults and being treated like 15yo's at boarding school.

@ShaunaTheSheep that sounds well over zealous! Did they at least give them a warning first? I don't think it is reasonable to expect silence after 11, although if they were being very noisy it would have been reasonable to ask them to be quieter and fine them if they refused. Can they appeal?

It is very hard on them if they are expected to be silent in their rooms from 11:00, even on Saturday nights, particularly when nobody has 9:00 starts. So they can't go out clubbing as they would in a normal year, but this seems excessive!

@ShaunaTheSheep wow 11.01pm, that's unreasonable to be fined for that. They should at the least give them a bit of time as grace to turn it down themselves, or give them the chance to turn it down when knocking on their door.

DS safely installed at Durham (Stephenson College). Very easy very efficient and very relaxed. No pressure on parents to leave. And he's in Griffiths block, named after Richard Griffiths who we both love Met two flatmates - one female one male. Has cider and crisps so will survive a few days, as they're not allowed to leave college until after Matriculation on Wednesday.

wave to the other Durham parents on here 👏

DS also in at Durham - lovely room looking straight out at cathedral tower (didn’t need to bring his alarm clock then...)
Lovely freshers reps lugging all the bags upstairs. Only one of us allowed in to help unpack, so DH stayed in car and then did an emergency run for a second (super long) extension cord.

We will be up nearby for a friend’s 50th at half term, so we can bring extra stuff/take away unneeded kit.

Back on the M1 now, heading South!

Glad terfterfterf and kingscote safely arrived and settled in Durham. And same to all who have or are off today too!

@ShaunaTheSheep that is so heavy handed!

I wouldn’t be able to help myself if those circumstances, a strongly worded email would be on its way !

... if I read 1 more comment about how our children are adults I will not be polite - my son was 18 in August! He a worrier and can be overwhelmed and emotional!! That didn’t magically change last month when he had his birthday - he’s feeling his way in life but he needs the reassurance of back up!

I'm quite shocked at the quickly handed out fines! Not sure of the disciplinary policy on this where DD is, but at the Uni I work in we do not fine students ever. I have heard this straight from the VC that she does not think it appropriate to take more money from students. Other sanctions may be applied but not fines.

Don’t worry, DS is entertaining himself by seeing if they can appeal, as a) no warning given b) other than the noise they weren’t breaking any other rules c) fined double the normal rate for a first offence d) everyone fined not just those in the kitchen e) other flats actually having mixed household parties not being fined etc.

No way will I be getting involved!

@TerfTerfTerf @KingscoteStaff sounds like they are settling in well :)

Had one text from ds today to say he was having fun and the whole flat had woken up with a hangover this morning. Suspect that will be the Last communication I have for the time being! Happy just to have heard from him

Just arrived at Loughborough, ds is checking in while I wait in the car. I'm not allowed to go in the flat 😨 (I really need a wee! ) I'm only allowed to help unpack the car to the front door. I really wanted to see his room and at least a glimpse of a flat mate!

@pasanda oh no, that is cruel!!

York are moving in this weekend, Monday and Tuesday. Anyone moved in today? Any thing to share.

@specialted glad your son is settling in :) Hangover not so great, but sounds like hes having a good time with new friends :)

DD safely delivered to Durham, college reps very well organised and helpful even helped us carry stuff to her room. They do seem to be trying to put a freshers week programme together and am she is in a "bubble" of 18 so pretty good. Confined to college until Wednesday though. Her room is a bit like a cell but am sure will be cosy when she has all her fairy lights and posters etc up. Long drive home and we are shattered. Just been into her old bedroom and found 5 cereal bowls, some mugs and some empty cans of strongbow under the bed!

Yes @BlueSkyBurningBright we moved DD into York today. All very well organised. Parking was a bit tight at her college but there were lots of student helpers around to carry luggage to the flat outside door, they weren’t allowed inside. One parent only but lots of people seemed to be ignoring that rule. Everyone in masks.

Dd moved into York today. All very smooth. And there seem to be a fair few Freshers events. She's in a flat of 12 so hopefully will get on well with at least some of them!