Oxford and Cambridge current students

[sandybayley]

Nearly filled up the old one...

17/18th in time for the asymptomatic testing before term starts and gives her time to get settled for Prelims. I’m very relieved, she has coped but at a cost academically and mentally. The same is the case I imagine for most trapped DC.

So we have the same disparity continuing between colleges.

Dd has been allowed back recently. But it doesn't stop me from being very cross about the students who aren't.

I had the same email, it addressed absolutely none of the points I made. What a waste of space.

I said on another thread, maybe applicants for 22 , cant recall, that colleges varying approaches to the pandemic was arguably more important than what type of school your DC’s fellow freshers might have attended . In that it might translate to their pastoral approach more generally. Not that there’s a great degree of control for most I know. And geography, age of buildings, infrastructure etc must play a part. But the test and trace system at C in the Autumn term was a triumph. I dont know why they seem to have lost their nerve. But then we’re all a bit battered...
Great Op Ed in the Times today on how the young have been sacrificed ( and vilified).

I've also been raising this with my MP, and have had an utterly useless generic response sent to me by the Department for Education, which completely fails to address concerns about the uncertainty students are facing and the impact on their emotional, mental and educational wellbeing, and instead witters on about rent rebates. Aaaagh! Fortunately, my DD (C) has returned to college earlier this week having made her case that she was starting to struggle with motivation and learning. Most of her friends are now going back, so it seems their college has softened its stance rather having been pretty strict at the start of Lent. But it really shouldn't be this sort of lottery determining whether they can resume their lives!

D1 has heard that one of the colleges is now saying no return for Trinity, this was on her subject WhatsApp group.

DD4's college, already fairly sensible about student returns, has pretty much said that anyone making an application to return can return.

Which college JulesJules? New College seems to have been the most unyielding to date.

I think I'd find it easier to accept if all students doing a particular course were under the same restrictions. It's harder to come to terms with the idea of a sort of "postcode lottery" where the college they attend determines whether they're allowed to return this term or not. Will those attempting to learn from home (not the ideal study environment for many) be assessed on the same terms as those living in college?

It's completely cynical and outrageous Ironoaks, I completely agree. I just continue mystified as to how so little student voice is being heard or reported in the papers.

Jules that's really depressing. DS's college has apparently said that they are waiting to hear what the university says and then they will decide on how to interpret the guidance! His college was very strict last term, but I am still hoping that they will all be allowed back, but fear that won't be the case

DD has friends who have been going to formals at New College. I believe other colleges have been far more stringent. Another college was insisting on confirmation of mental health problems from a GP before they would even consider a request to return.

@JulesJules would you mind sharing which college said this?

I am now thinking that not only should they all be going back, they should be doing everything face to face too. Maybe not lectures if SD wouldn’t be possible. But certainly tutorials/supervisions, with masks. Schools are doing it for heaven’s sake!

Presumably anyone who has a private let because their college doesn't provide accommodation for all 3 years has been back regardless. I'm starting to see the attraction now.

Hoghgyni I was basing this on the direct experience of a student at New, very close friend of one of my DC. From that, New doesn't seem to have been too sympathetic but possibly it's been overtaken in the race of most uptight college (because my conversation was early on last term).

Keble and Worcester are up there too!

The tutorial system could work perfectly well on picnic blankets outside if the weather was on their side. It only takes tutors with a bit of imagination.

Yes absolutely face to face tutorials PantTwizzler. There can't be any justification for remote tutorials any more.

Vagaries of the weather could screw that up Hoghgyni. Maybe just open the window?! It's all nonsense now, really it is.

It was Catz. Not D1's college, and I don't know if the student who told her is there or has just heard from someone else, so may not be accurate.

D1 has had an email from her college saying that the University is now not expecting government guidance until the end of next week, and (college) will not be able to tell students until the beginning of the following week, 19th April. She's in a bit of a state about it, as she has collections on the Friday/Saturday and needed to be back and settled in before then. It's 300 miles, best part of a day plus packing/unpacking time. She feels if she can't go back then she won't be able to go back at all. One of her friends who is an international student isn't coming back for Trinity due to all the quarantine time.

@JulesJules - that would make the timing very tight. It's harder for Oxbridge students to move part-way through the term as the terms are so condensed.

What the hell are the government playing at.

OYBBK at a rough guess, they don't care. The only thing which would force them to leap into action would be if Govey's children were there themselves.

Exactly Ironoaks she doesn't think she could fit in packing/travelling once term has started.

This whole thing is making me sad and cross. Also thinking of the international students who need to think about booking flights and time to quarantine.

@Ironoaks I appreciate you thinking of internationals. I need to sort flights for DS but have no idea when or if I should!