So where does this leave UNI students?

[RainingBatsAndFrogs]

Can they go back if they have not already done so?

Nearly all DC's flatmates are back already.

Tbh I'm relieved the longer Dgd stats at home as she is in London for uni and cases very high there and she suffers from ITP an auto immune blood disorder so will be safer at home though her flatmates and her were very careful not allowing anyone in flat or partying and none of them caught Covid or had to isolate. They socialised in their flat and went out together. They kept each other safe but most are international and won't be back till end January so we don't want her there alone.

@Dove0709 no, they may feel like they are being treated like children and/or living at home after having lived pretty independent lives is an unwelcome step backwards. Big difference. But let’s not fall out!

I don't really see any logic in allowing so many students back to uni but others not? What's the point in some having to stay at home with their families when others are mixing with their peers in halls? DS1 and DS2 have been told to stay at home till further notice and it's now looking like they'll miss this entire term, whilst many of their peers seem to be carrying on as normal with shared accommodation at other unis.

@mutterphore
^this^ Exactly. It is beyond baffling. There appears to be a rule that all students should stay at home unless studying for a medical or vetinary degree. Except for those who decide they'd rather be at uni. I am not criticising any student for preferring to be back on campus or with their uni household. But I despair of the feeble, half-hearted messages this gov are posting and then reneging on. It's so befuddled and gormless.

DD uni have finally published advice to stay where you are (exceptions for a few courses). However international students with flights arranged can still arrive so DD will have company in the flat. Dates when F2F teaching will resume will move out from what was advised previously (DDs subjects were previously mid February) but she will need to wait and see what the Scottish government say. Good news is her job remains for the moment (thanks to just eat orders).

It is quite difficult having ds2 here, his timings are out of kilter with rest of house and he is quite irritable. I'm hoping the start of lectures will make a difference in the 11th.
Tbh I'm still relieved he has not jumped the gun and rushed back before Wednesday. It is going to be a long cold vitamin deprived stint until Easter when or if he returns- infantilised or not it isn't like you can visit to check on them in the meantime..
I think there will be other young people round here who have also not gone back...he can meet for exercise rather than alcohol.
So far the disability services haven't given him any help, I'm therefore relieved he IS here for now.

@Aixenprovence

DC 2 is a trainee teacher and was told to be back for classes this week, but the whole group has been told that school placements are cancelled, and they will most likely have to do another year or else they won't have the necessary experience to qualify.

Interesting - have they been told what will happen about fees, who will finance their additional maintenance costs etc?

They will finance their additional fees.
Another £9k in tuition and the same in maintenance.
£72k in debt at 22.

although who is going to stop a food delivery van?

Might be touch and go of it were in Derbyshire or Dorset, perhaps...

@Labobo

I don't really see any logic in allowing so many students back to uni but others not? What's the point in some having to stay at home with their families when others are mixing with their peers in halls? DS1 and DS2 have been told to stay at home till further notice and it's now looking like they'll miss this entire term, whilst many of their peers seem to be carrying on as normal with shared accommodation at other unis.

@mutterphore
^this^ Exactly. It is beyond baffling. There appears to be a rule that all students should stay at home unless studying for a medical or vetinary degree. Except for those who decide they'd rather be at uni. I am not criticising any student for preferring to be back on campus or with their uni household. But I despair of the feeble, half-hearted messages this gov are posting and then reneging on. It's so befuddled and gormless.

There is tumbleweed blowing through my sons halls, ditto his friends in Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Newcastle, socialising are you kidding he has not been out since Wednesday for a shop one other person in a 7 people flat who has flown in from China and not been seen since arrival. I take offence at the inference that they are germ laden beings. The socialising is taking place in homes between families, friends, neighbours, possibly supermarkets but they dare not say that. Between hospital nursing home nosocomial infections I reckon they are a big chunk of our deaths.

@justasking111 - that's what DS's flat was like last term. Tumbleweed. He said there was no covid outbreak in his Halls at all because there was nothing going on. A couple of people had it, isolated and all was well. But in theory I can see why it's a problem because unis have people come in from all over the world, whereas local socialising is less likely to spread the disease far and wide. Not so relevant now every area is infected, I guess. I hope your son is OK. It can get quite bleak when no oneis around. DS found it hard. For now, he's happier at home.