St Andrews into 2021 (new thread)

[Newgirls]

Ok can’t think of a catchier title! If anyone can send the other thread over here pls do!

Prospective and existing parents etc all welcome here. Transport, accom, cloaks, choirs, beaches and more to be discussed. Next year will be better surely!

@Gingerkittykat I think the first years are told when they’re supposed to apply for accommodation. Even though it was only last year, I can’t remember when DD applied last year!

As long as they apply by 30th June
www.st-andrews.ac.uk/study/accommodation/halls/guarantee/

@idsisatwat - just looked it up and The Open is 10th to 17th July. Maybe you could also consider each of the flatmates' families having the flat for a week of summer holiday - it is such a gorgeous place.

Venting!!! I have a feeling I might get chucked off the St Andrews Remainers FB group for this, but I could not help responding to this. Somebody said:

My daughter sent me this from one of the student sites. She says there is a lot of shaming online directed at “remainers”. She felt this post really cut through all the sanctimonious comments designed to make the students who have already had to give up so much feel even worse. “If you think returning is best for you, do it”

Errr, so if you think it is best for you to have something you are not allowed to have, just take it?! Attaching the anonymous post she was referring to. Grrrrr! (I was more polite than that!)

Probably best for my blood pressure if they chuck me out anyway!

Surely the uni itself has something to say about that? It might be more productive to send it to them in some way, rather than bother with the us echo chamber fb group

I think part of the problem is that the rules do feel too severe. We all think they should be allowed back in a managed way - loads of students have allowed themselves back and it is only the law abiding ones which have stayed away - and they are the least likely to spread covid anyway. Urghhh!

For second years etc who are paying for thei private accom I can’t see any reason to stay away (other than they’ve been asked to). It’s the first years missing out.

It’s a mess.

The trouble is that it is no more legal for other years to go back than it is for first years. This is true throughout the UK.

Given that so many have gone back anyway, if the govt is not going to enforce the law, they should change it. At the moment it is just the people respecting the letter of the law who are still at home, and they are the least likely to spread Covid anyway.

Should people respect bad laws? DS2 sees his girlfriend without social distancing. He is breaking the law. Do I try to stop him? No because they are already having such a rubbish time that I don't think it would be reasonable. Is it much worse for students to resume their student lives if they are careful?

Roll on 21st June.

What has shocked me is unis like Leeds have let students go back to uni-owned accom in large numbers. Turning a blind eye rather than refund fees. This is first years mostly.

Bristol refunded fees but allowed people back in halls. Lancaster seem to be mostly back. I think Oxbridge have not allowed then back.

Nicola Sturgeon making her statement about the route out if Covid at around 2:25 today. She has said they are prioritising young people, but sadly that probably just means school pupils. The encouraging thing is that they are planning to use levels in different areas and St Andrews Covid rates are really low although Fife has higher figures in the more built up areas.

Fingers crossed but not optimistic.

My stepson has decided to go back when our English lockdown ends in early March. He’s final year in a private house with half his flat mates having returned in January.

@Honeyroar where are his flatmates from? I am interested to know whether there is a pattern. It really seems to me that the law needs to change to reflect reality as they are clearly not going to enforce laws which nobody seems to consider reasonable!

U.K. I think. They went back right after Xmas. Not sure what courses they’re on. Two out of the five in his house went back.

Hmm, nothing for students in the covid statement today. I remain baffled about reality v rules. The Cardiff university website says:

Our campus, including our residences, libraries, study spaces and other buildings, remains open and safe should you wish to return to Cardiff. You can still access education and support services. We also have a range of additional safety measures in place that have been approved by Public Health Wales.

63% of students replying to a Bristol Uni survey had returned epigram.org.uk/2021/02/22/almost-12-000-students-living-in-bristol-during-third-national-lockdown/ including 2,500 in halls.

The people in charge are suffering from emperor's new clothes syndrome!

Wow - it’s so inconsistent

DD has friends at Robert Gordon and they all went back - and she thinks a few have gone back to Aberdeen too (this is first years in halls). DS has gone back too but he's in a flat for 3rd year with 2 others doing the same course so all support each other, so important for his mental health. DD has a history essay to write. Most of the suggested reading for it is in actual books - not online! So ones actual in St As at an advantage.

Do you all know that students in hall had a firm asking about occupancy this term? DS filled it in saying he was planning to stay to the end of the contract, but actually he will come home before exams if the other students aren't allowed back. The best option for people who are not back but want to keep options open was option 4, but it may not have been obvious to them.

Monkey2001 DD hasn't had the form but has emailed to ask why not. Do you know what the financial implications are if you opt to terminate - or not terminate - your contract? And was there any indication of timescale for collecting possessions if you choose to terminate? Because if we were suddenly expected to travel to St Andrews while DD2 is at school that would be very tricky. End of May works because of half term but other times will be awkward.

This should take you to the form. I don't think there is any pressure to get stuff. forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=yyZW-KgN00mqWGTvZ47wGjJnnuTGaLNCj6dklVPNPEVUOUpES0EwME9EVzlGTVJGOTk0TEpYREJBUC4u

Thanks Monkey

I've read the form several times now and I still don't understand whether there is any financial benefit to terminating the contracts now. Are they saying you'll get a bigger refund if you terminate now? Or is it just that the refund calculation will be completed now if you terminate, but later on if you don't?

My understanding is that if you choose option 4 but don't end up going back, you pay the same in the end.

... I mean same as option 3

I think that's what I've decided too. So it's all about when they will do the calculations, rather than what the final figure is. I need to look back at the previous emails about rent and see if that makes sense.

They’ve just officially cancelled graduation ceremonies this summer. 🙁