DS2 (O) holds some 'positions of responsibility' at his uni. (he seems to have been 'gathering up' a few of these so far) and at a meeting today said that the senior members were speaking on behalf of the governing body about the government guidelines of a staggered return and are "pushing back vigorously against this". We won't know the outcome yet but it looked hopeful for a normal start date for O. Finger's crossed.
Meanwhile, Spuds and Dad, many thanks for expressing your disquiet too about DS1 at C. He and his cohort have had an email from their DOS to hint that essays should be returned 'fairly soon' and that they're 'working' on arrangements for next term's texts and supervisor. So at least that's something.
He also had a very short video meeting with his tutor today - I think lasting about 10 minutes. He had a similar brief meeting at the start of term. I'd suggested he raise the question of why his supervisions don't revolve around essays, that his essays still hadn't been marked and that he didn't have any idea of next term's work or preparation - but to say all of this in a 'curious, interested and motivated to progress' kind of way instead of accusatory.
Unfortunately, he felt there was no chance at all to raise any of this as his tutor is a young Mathematician and he thinks can't possibly know about essays and arts/humanities degrees. I'm not sure why they've given an English student to a Maths tutor but maybe that's common practice? It turned out to be a nice but bland affirmation that DS1 has no 'pastoral issues' of note and of course DS1 wouldn't feel it appropriate to mention the late night noise disturbance. So that was it.
DS1 is happy enough with everything and as his twin says, you've sort of got to educate yourself through a degree anyway. It does seem unfair though that DS2 is being guided and mentored more skillfully - in my opinion.
DS1 is going to a couple of 'events' tonight - one in college and one a university wide one where he's delighted to get his suit out of mothballs at last and hopes to meet some interesting people!
DS2 wears his suit every week for Chamber choir and had a brilliant carol concert in full regalia outside the other night. He has a household Formal Hall shortly and his tutorial feedback session plus several social events and has just completed his final essay with more affirming feedback.
By contrast (I love doing these contrasts as you've just got to laugh really!), the only 'music' on offer at DS1's college was a posse of drunken students singing loud Abba songs in the corridors at 3am. His recent college dinner (on the lovely plastic trays) would have contrasted badly with a greasy spoon motorway cafe and if he gets any feedback on his term's work at all, it'll probably be by email and well into the vac. with some bland comment like "everyone has won and all must have prizes"!
I may well be exaggerating of course.
I've just purchased some lovely college Matric. photos of DS2 and have told DS1 I'll take some of him myself when he gets home, as his Matric. at the start of term was a small glass of warm champagne in plastic cup with students shuffling around in hoodies and tracksuits, ignoring the non-event going on in the background.