Page 2 | University return in January

grenadines · 2020-12-23T23:09:01+00:00

Does anyone know what the plans are for universities in January? My DS is due to return to a hall of residence at the start of January but we are wondering if this will happen now that a large part of the country will be in T4.

Ssmiler · 01/01/2021 12:30

DD received an email from her uni yesterday telling her not to return for 11th jan as previously planned. Apparently the govt are in the process of updating the guidance but have issued a letter on 30th dec saying that students should stay at home until at least 25th January. Further update will be issued on 18th. DD course was one of the ones that was exempt due to considerable practical element. Her uni email said that govt has now reduced the list of exempt practical courses to include mainly only medical courses. She’s in private unite halls - not linked to any uni - but her uni has said she must not return.

Fedup21 · 01/01/2021 12:34

I’m concerned reading these posts. DS is planning to return to halls (1st year) tomorrow. His books are there and he has exams starting the next week. He can’t work properly here as he shares a room-that’s why we’re paying hundreds of pounds a month for him to be in halls, so he has a work space of his own!

They won’t lock the halls up to stop them coming back in, will they??

Parker231 · 01/01/2021 12:45

One of DS’s friends is going back to Uni tomorrow. He is doing his Masters in a science based subject and needs lab time. He is being classed as a research student and has approval to go back early. He is staying in Halls.

Fedup21 · 01/01/2021 12:50

@Parker231

One of DS’s friends is going back to Uni tomorrow. He is doing his Masters in a science based subject and needs lab time. He is being classed as a research student and has approval to go back early. He is staying in Halls.

Approval from who?

Oratory1 · 01/01/2021 13:43

Fedup21 I believe one of the exemptions in the guidance is for those who don't have an adequate workspace at home

Parker231 · 01/01/2021 13:46

I’ll ask DS but I think his friend has approval from the Uni as his course his lab based with no online classes.

makingmyway10 · 01/01/2021 14:08

My DD is going back tomorrow. She has an exam on Monday . She is studying Vet Medicine and the vets along with Medical students are the only students expected back as far as she knows.

LadyPenelope68 · 01/01/2021 14:26

@Fedup21
They won’t lock the halls up to stop them coming back in, will they??
They might have access, no. I wouldn’t let him go back until you’ve been notified he can. Even those that are allowing them back and having staggered starts/arrivals.

Bath789 · 01/01/2021 15:01

They won’t lock the halls up to stop them coming back in, will they??
Unless the university has specifically said that the accommodation your son has paid for won't be available (in which case it's entirely reasonable to expect a refund for the relevant period) then I think it's perfectly reasonable to assume that the accommodation is still available. The letter from the universities minister says that universities should be making provision for students who don't have suitable study space available in their vacation accommodation.

Stormdennis · 03/01/2021 16:30

My son doesn't want to go back to his halls this term. There really is no point at he will be locked down and all lectures are online. Sorry if this question has been answered elsewhere but are we obliged to pay his next instalment for accommodation given no lectures are onsite (we pay by instalment at the beginning of each term). Thanks.

Stormdennis · 03/01/2021 16:31

p.s. I know there will be different policies for each Uni and I am sure the Uni will say we have to pay but just wondered if there is anything that overrides it given the exceptional circumstances...

Xenia · 03/01/2021 16:42

Storm, best get it in writing from the university and people aren't allowed to get their degrees if they have any money outstanding to the university - that is a very long term policy - so gives universities a lot of power. A class action group consumer complaint for those being taught solely on line against universities who provide accommodation may be needed to sort out the issue once and for all however.

unfortunateevents · 03/01/2021 16:57

@LadyPenelope68 do you have a link to the advice for Manchester students? In general, I have found their advice to be appalling and lagging behind everyone else. I haven't asked DS today but have had a good trawl of their website and FB page and can't see anything about return apart from a few days ago when they said they would update soon.

BigSandyBalls2015 · 03/01/2021 17:48

My DD is going back at the end of this week. 2nd year in private rent. She says she’d rather be there with friends as can’t see her friends at home.

baldisbeautiful · 04/01/2021 20:42

My DD was planning on returning to 2nd year house this weekend. After lockdown announcement this evening, is anyone else doing this? She definitely wants to return and sit this out with her housemates rather than us!

Fedup21 · 04/01/2021 20:45

@baldisbeautiful

My DD was planning on returning to 2nd year house this weekend. After lockdown announcement this evening, is anyone else doing this? She definitely wants to return and sit this out with her housemates rather than us!

Mine went back at the weekend to revise for exams-quite a few are already back for the same reason.

flatcoatfan · 04/01/2021 21:55

@boldisbeautiful my daughter is in the same position. We don't get on too well and things have been pretty strained to say the least over Christmas. To make matters worse we had a positive swab in the household so all have been isolating. She is desperate to lockdown in her uni house in a different city. She will be on her own as other flatmates have other plans. I was going to take her on Wednesday anyway. I don't think here is the best place for her to be honest. As she will be on her own, she can support bubble with her boyfriend who also will be alone. What do you think? Rule breaking or ensuring mental health remains intact, mine too as I'm a frontline worker. We do get on in small doses!

flatcoatfan · 04/01/2021 21:57

She's in 3rd year private rental if that makes any difference

BigSandyBalls2015 · 04/01/2021 21:58

If they want to go back then they should be allowed to, they’re paying enormous amounts in rent and fees. As long as they follow the lockdown rules in their accommodation it should be fine.

baldisbeautiful · 04/01/2021 22:13

@flatcoatfan sorry I don't know how to do a direct reply to someone! If it was my DD she would prefer to be with boyfriend than us for sure! We are really stuck now, DD will only go back if her housemates do as well and not sure at the moment. The main problem though is the lack of tuition. It's crazy paying £9k per year to be taught by PowerPoint presentations and have no direct contact with tutors other than being able to email them!

sparticuscaticus · 04/01/2021 22:23

Well, it's all change tonight at 8pm
Looks to me That unis have closed to face to face teaching and will be online learning only until at least feb half term , discouraging students from Returning to halls. But some
Have stayed in halls (for various reasons) so it's not blocked

So if uni students have private Accomodation to return to as their main residence - or have to return- then that's fair enough. If they are uni Accomodation & advises not to return due to lockdown, I wonder if they may be given refund on part of Accomodation/meals in fees (?) As they have to stay at home at parents houses of they can . Of course of your DCs need to return them as adults they are free to do so

sparticuscaticus · 04/01/2021 22:29

My first year uni son is staying home due to Lockdown 3 and his uni (catered halls) have previously indicated they may refund relevant weeks if in lockdown. Despite uni seeming costly for accomodation at £100/week, since he left home to go there, I realised that was a bargain as given his high gas amd electric, amd SHOWER use and as he ate more than half that amount in weekly food - ummm this lockdown will be costly to bank of Mum !

flatcoatfan · 04/01/2021 22:37

I think I agree, my daughters an adult and her 'home' is her private rental house, I can't keep her here against her will! It makes more sense for me to take her than for her to take the train.

sparticuscaticus · 07/01/2021 10:35

So guidance is that uni students don't have to go back until mid feb and it's online until at least then.

My son is considering going back end of January as he's trying to motivate himself as has less distractions up at uni Accomodation to crack on with online work and he's moaning that I am using the study for work (he works better in there than in his bedroom at home) !- but he was also very sad last term as his (northern uni) Accomodation required him to self isolate in his Floor of 18 students 6 of the 9 weeks he was up there (the last 2 free weeks of which were in lockdown! ) I think he's forgetting how shitty it was for him. But he misses his student mates.

He isn't getting an Accomodation rebate after all after first two weeks this time so he's paying through the nose for catered uni Accomodation he can choose to use or not as they have said they can return in 2 weeks if need be.

I've asked him to sit (think) on it for a week before he books an end of January cheaper train ticket. And plan to gee him into cracking on with uni work diligently.

He is costing me a fortune though as my food bills have doubled (there are 3 of us that eat same cost/ week as he does as he's an costly high protein, fruit & calorie eating rugby player who misses the gym!)

user1497207191 · 07/01/2021 11:25

Hundreds of Lancaster university students threatening a "rent strike".

www.beyondradio.co.uk/news/local-news/lancaster-uni-students-call-for-rent-strike-action/?fbclid=IwAR0omCMrvzHjyZGndNjBtO1OLpRLpzizwnoxX7n6Y7W_gGuwgQLIplvgQow

After the £18 per day food parcel fiasco, Lancaster Uni getting even more bad publicity.