Oxford and Cambridge current students

[sandybayley]

Nearly filled up the old one...

Over on the return to Uni thread is a brilliant post from Nettleskeins : summing up that what worked for a short while isn’t working now . Quite sesnsible and reasonable for any student to use adverse impact on their mental health as a reason to return.
I am really sorry to hear of your DS’s struggles @PantTwizzler.. it’s agony to watch your child suffer.

I'm probably grasping at straws, but am finding this hopeful - the Health and Testing bit on Oxford's Coronavirus page has just updated with lots of details about testing schedules from April 12th. All students to take a test on return to Oxford, ideally also take a test before you leave home.
Your college will provide you with two tests initially and then use one of the three testing centres twice a week, etc.

Better news for DS1 (C). His college seems to be making it possible for student to return and so he's filling in a request to do so.

I am really, really hoping that DS2 (O) can also return as he wants to do so, even more than DS1. So I hope his college gets in touch soon....

On the Oxford website it says they updated arrangements for Trinity term today however all I can see is the testing information. The testing information does not really indicate all will be allowed back just what will happen for those who do come back.

Without wishing to sound disrespectful to HRH, the Government has announced that they will not be making any official announcements during the period of mourning for the Duke of Edinburgh.

Dds college have suddenly become a lot more welcoming, while expressing their frustration with the government.

And again no disrespect meant either but how the hell can the government just now not do any briefings. We are still in the middle of a national emergency.

I'm sorry that your ds is so unhappy PantTwizzler. It must be heartbreaking for you.

So it’s basically confirmed we won’t get any news until the 19th then?

DS has received an email from his college.
Paraphrasing:
The only thing which has changed is that we are now accepting requests to return.
You must gain permission from your tutor at least 4 days before returning, but also return by 19 April (for asymptomatic testing).
You can't arrive without your tutor's permission because your room will be locked.

Thats awful Ironoaks. I hope the tutors have been briefed to be more understanding.

Good news here... DS has received an email confirming that one of his three experimental subjects will be offering in-person lab practicals from the start of term.

This was listed in the college's email as an example of a reason to request permission to return, so he is feeling hopeful.

I think most colleges will just adopt the policies outline above based on circumstances. Ie. Mental health, study reasons or in person learning. It does not seem that the government will release guidance in time for the start of term and so I do not believe there will be a universal return.

Ironoaks ; DD contacted her personal tutor directly , not college. Fingers crossed.

@mutterphore I'm glad that your DS1s college are seeming more positive. I really hope that all colleges make it easier for students to return if they want to. It does sound promising for your DS too Ironoaks as he's having labs.

I'm wondering if Oxford will make a decision themselves now too without waiting for a government announcement?

Pepermintea, DS1 is of course really happy and although he hasn't heard back yet to confirm his return to Cambridge, he thinks it'll just be a formality.

DS2 seems to think Oxford will announce something similar very soon but I'm not sure about this and absolutely dread the thought that he may be stuck at home whilst his brother has returned. I've been hinting that he could email his tutor to ask about going back, even though the college has been clear that no one should get in touch individually anymore with the person at the college who was dealing with allowing returns, until the government give guidance on what's allowed. However, DS2 is blithely assuming that all will be well.

It's going to be very tough if he has to watch his brother packing and gearing up to return whilst he has no certainty that he'll be allowed to go back to Oxford at all.

This is a bit like the Oxbridge entrance applications all over again, waiting and hoping for parity and with no sense of what the outcome might be...obviously, at least they did both get places but so far, they've only had 6 weeks of rather abnormal uni. life and no more.

DS has received confirmation from his tutor that he can return.
Fingers crossed for those who are still waiting to hear.

Hurray Ironoaks

Article in FT seems, less positive

www.ft.com/content/f23a7839-92df-491a-9c36-d8dc1fb8a2e3

Basically suggests Mid-may...

If true is just ridiculous. DD (O) hasn't heard anything from college. She is sanguine... Me - less so.

That's great news Ironoaks.

I really feel for those of you who haven't heard. I hope you hear soon.

Ironoaks, that's very good news for your DS. Can you remind me if he's at Cambridge or Oxford?

Has anyone else with a DC at Oxford been told that no one is currently now allowed to request, individually, that they be allowed to return? I'm just wondering if this position is the one taken only by DS2's college or by other Oxford colleges too?

pants sorry to hear your DS is struggling. DD's Boyf said the reading list for his subject is really long. There is no expectation to read everything, but that is not explicit. One of his course mates has dropped out because he found the volume of reading everything too much. If he had been in Oxf then possibly he would have picked up tips on ways to reduce the pressure. It is really sad he didn't have that peer support.

Both DD and her Boyf are going back after Easter. Next challenge how to get a sculpture larger than her in the back of the car with everything else.

I hope those of you that are still waiting get to hear soon.

Re no official announcements for 8 days - that is going to take us into Purdah for the elections, so any announcement will be very low key. I wonder if universities have been given the nod to get students back.

@mutterphore
DS is at Cambridge. His college had previously asked students to wait. After the V-C's statement yesterday, the Senior Tutor emailed to say they're now accepting requests for permission to return. DS emailed his tutor and she got back to him quickly with confirmation.

DD's O college are currently accepting finalists back from Monday. There is a later date in April planned for other years subject to the April 19th announcement.

DD's dept. has timetabled two weeks of ftf practicals at start of June, immediately after finals. Odd timing but better late than never!