Oxford and Cambridge current students discussion thread

[sandybayley]

Starting a new one as we filled it up!

Can't believe DS1 will be home in 2 weeks. Must remember to adjust the Ocado shop for when he's back. I suspect we may end up with a few days of his favourite meals 😊

DS1 and DS2 have only had contact with each other and with me - and I them - since coming home, so we're pretty sure we're all fine regarding Covid. At least we've all three had a great vacation so far and I hope everyone here has a Happy New Year.

It's now looking more and more likely that most if not all the term will be from home, as the unis can't even say - until after 18th Jan - what date it might be possible for most students to return and that 25th Jan would be the earliest return date.

I'm presuming that students don't need to pay for college accommodation if they're not allowed to return?

My DCs were looking at photos online of various Oxbridge buildings that they've never been allowed to enter and also parts of their colleges they've not been able to see or use. I really hope they'll get the chance of accessing more places and experiences at uni. before they actually leave Oxbridge.

An email from college says that a (O) university wide email should be sent out later today delaying most returns until 25th.

Happy New Year everyone.

A delayed return would be very sad for all our DC. I hope and think they will get to O/C for most of this coming term. I know we are all trying to stay upbeat, but @PortusCale hit the nail on the head - the young are indeed paying a very high price for the response to covid. Fingers crossed that going forward they will be allowed to make the most of their youth and education.

Oxford have updated their webpage www.ox.ac.uk/coronavirus/students/christmas-vacation

Unless they are on specific courses or meet particular criteria, students are "asked not to return to Oxford until you hear from us again". It's not even a given that they can return on 25th.

DS said he'd had an email saying the same. He seems to be fairly stoic about it in typical DS style!

Yes, DD (O) has had the 25th email followed up by one from college. She's OK but pissed off - and slightly worrying about whether they'll get back at all for Hilary....

Happy New Year everyone!
It looks like O are strictly following the guidance. DD’s college is at any rate. DS’s C college is being more flexible so, for now, it looks like DS will travel as planned but DD must wait for further update.

DS2's (O) college have now been in touch to imply but not clarify that the return date will be 25th Jan which is also the implied return date for DS1 (C) returning! Oh boy! So do I need to take both back on the same day on which I'm also supposed to be working - or what?

At this point, it would be so helpful for everyone to have at least some certainty even if it's that they don't go back at all. I'm sure it's also much harder for those travelling much longer distances and needing to book train tickets.

DCs are both being very stoical and saying that they still feel lucky to be at O and C in any case and at least I get to have them at home longer than expected.

I'm reading on some other MN threads that students from other unis are going back much sooner or are already back, which feels a bit weird. Are O & C towing the line more firmly than some (but not all) other unis?

@mutterphore - I'm afraid you're not going to get any certainty in the near future. Institutions and individuals have to adapt to the changing situation and we have to accept that. I really wouldn't fret about the possibility of a same day return for your boys as things could change and even if they don't one of them could delay by a say or two if needed.

DS1's O college have contacted him to say that they're meeting tomorrow to discuss their plans. I don't think they have much wriggle room TBH but they do have form for doing their own thing so who knows? I've told DS1 to expect to be at home for the foreseeable future and he seems resigned to it for now.

Many of those returning are in 39 week leases or in private accommodation, so nobody can prevent them from returning to their uni towns. As Sandy says, nobody knows, so all we can do roll with whatever the government & universities throw at our young people next.

@mutterphore most people in non Oxbridge universities are in private accommodation so their university has no control over when they come back.

On the other thread the posters are saying their children will be travelling back to their private accommodation but I’m sure they won’t be allowed on campus unless they do one of the practical courses that are allowed in campus.

DD was supposed to be going to O on Sunday -- she had permission for an early return as she has mods at the end of term (have I said that already ?). She doesn't really have a proper work space at home. I might have to enforce a bedroom reorg which will not be popular with the person ejected from the bigger bedroom...

But will they be providing any education online? They need to, don't they? There's so much work to get through.

Apparently Cambridge tested those students who agreed to testing every week, leading up to the Christmas break. And in the last couple of weeks there wasn't a single positive case. Their test and trace system is extremely efficient.

The Cambridge testing system was very effective last term. It starts again on Jan 18th apparently.

I am hearing of different approaches from O colleges. I know of one requiring students to get permission from their tutor or dean if they want to return prior to 25th for mental health or practical work-related reasons. Another has said it will leave students to decide for themselves whether they meet those criteria.

DD was supposed to be going to O on Sunday -- she had permission for an early return as she has mods at the end of term (have I said that already wink?). She doesn't really have a proper work space at home

PantTwizzler my reading of the updated Oxford guidance allows your DD to return as planned on Sunday without requesting additional permission. She meets criterion #4 (study space at home) in which case the following applies: If you meet [one of these] criteria, you should return to Oxford as you had already planned at the end of Michaelmas term. With four younger siblings at home it's completely understandable that study space is restricted for someone squaring up to Classics Mods.

Thanks goodbye. She certainly seems to think she’s still going back...

And even without that whole university guidance, DD's college at least has said that those with permission already in place to return early can still do so - there's every chance that all colleges are taking that approach. I think she's well covered PantTwizzler.

did is waiting for guidance from her college.

My brother at Cambridge was tested every week and only saw those in his tiny bubble. They barely left the accommodation. He thinks it's far riskier at home where my mum is supporting her 88 year old mum and oilur sister has a newborn.
His argument is he is only ever with other students at Cambridge, not near vulnerable people

DD got the option - come down if she needs the studio space, but all teaching will be online. She is staying here - the food is better and she has all she needs to work.

The reality is that the government guidelines will only affect a minority of students whose accommodation is under university control. Ironically, these are probably the same students who are in limited households and are being tested regularly. The guidelines seem to me to be restricting the wrong people.

@Frazzled6 how rude to suggest that people with poor wifi should change supplier! You clearly have no idea how people who live rurally have to manage. Openreach has been promising fibre to the property since April. I'm still waiting. Our download speed is less than 1.5mbps and upload even slower. DH WFH. I have 2 DDs at uni. They simply cannot all be online at the same time. Throw into the mix that I will be teaching remotely for 2 weeks and it is unworkable. I am going to go into school as the wifi there is better. I have looked into other suppliers of broadband. NOBODY ELSE WILL SUPPLY ME UNTIL OPENREACH PUTS IN THE FIBRE!

To the regular posters here, I'm really sorry for shouting. DD (C) has had an email from her personal tutor telling her to come back on 18th. She politely told him that as we are both key workers, we can't do weekdays and it's an 8 hour round trip. He was fine about her coming back on 16th instead. She has labs with ongoing experiments for her Masters to conduct so needs to be back there. She tentatively asked how I felt about her not coming home at Easter. Of course I would miss her, but she needs to be in the best place for her. IIRC @ErrolTheDragon's DD spent only a very short time at home and seems to manage fine. @ofteninaspin it may be worth your DS contacting his tutor to see if there is some flexibility on dates. That college does seem to be pretty helpful.

@goodbyestranger, hoping all the medics in the family are bearing up. Please pass on my best to them.

I suspect third year DD will want the option to stay in Oxford during the Easter vac, if she actually gets to return at all this term.