Oxford and Cambridge current students

[sandybayley]

Nearly filled up the old one...

Jules, that's pretty dire really, if it's May 18th. That'll mean students like DS2 will have only had 6 weeks of the first term and 4 weeks of the third term. Otherwise, stuck at home....

Took DD back to O yesterday. So happy to be reunited with her housemates, relieved to be back on fast broadband and able to book library slots. Only finalists allowed back this week so still quiet in college but full catering available in the marquee and study spaces open.

Oh I missed it on the radio - what was said?

Yes @mutterphore, it's awful. D1 is saying she doesn't know if it's worth it to go back for four weeks, quite apart from the upheaval of packing and travelling to fit in. DH and I think she should try and do it though - in any case, at some point we would have to go and get all her stuff. College is advertising for conferences and bed and breakfast for the summer... She hasn't even seen the house she'll be in for next year as she was isolating when the others went to view it.

It was a really good discussion, half an hour from 10 am (you will be able to hear it on BBC Sounds once the Naga programme has finished)

She interviewed a third year student who spoke so well about the effects on her work and her mental health. I really hope some of this is played to ministers and have them reflect on what they are really asking of these young people.

Also an impressive interview with the head of Universities UK - I cannot understand why she has not been interviewed on the mainstream news.

Anecdotal, DD (C) was at pub with 2x O freshers who have spent last term at home. Both been given permission to return ( different colleges) after filling out v arbitrary form “ Have you got a good reason to come back “? Well duh...Shame it’s not Uni wide

Petition signed and I’ve emailed our MP. Am passing but it on to as many people as I can.

Really feel for those students still stuck at home - the situation the government have left students in is utterly shocking (and the disparity between colleges/universities is equally frustrating).

The head of Universities UK has just been on the lunchtime news. I think they are trying to get airtime, but Prince Philip, Prince Harry, shopping, pubs and haircuts are of far greater interest to the majority of the population.

DD came home for 3 nights before Easter. She has a adopted a "possession is 9/10 of the law strategy" and has a seat booked in the library each day. The library is extending its opening hours from Monday as it sounds as though they expect more to return.

Sad to see on Guardian website that return before 17 May is considered unlikely. Of course this doesn’t mean there will be a return even after that date.

This is atrocious and I am so angry. On a lighter note, does anyone think this is calculated to make sure students can’t vote in the May 6th elections? The current government have surely alienated this generation for a lifetime

We're located just outside Oxford anyway (Woodstock) and my ds lives in the city centre all year round, so hasn't been too greatly affected. Very happy the library is open again as it's now quiter than his flat now that everything is springing to life once more. Feel very sorry for those still stuck at home, especially those with freshers and 2nd years who have essentially been 'robbed' of their experience. Know it's not the end of the world, but still...

On a lighter note, does anyone think this is calculated to make sure students can’t vote in the May 6th elections? The current government have surely alienated this generation for a lifetime

Or to offset public fears about yesterday's relaxation of the rules? They knew from February that there would be press photos of drinkers and crowded shops today - never mind, lets just crack down on students, they don't vote for us anyway.

@Aurea DS has had a v similar email, I wonder if it's the same college?
17 May return us just ridiculous and DS is another one likely not to see the point of going back so late although I think it would be for the good, even if its for 5 or 6 weeks. So terribly unfair

I really feel for the students who have not been able to return and especially those who still don't know.

DS (3rd year C) is heading back this weekend. Following the VC's email, his college changed from let us know if you need to come back to effectively let us know when you're coming or if you can't. I'm mightily relieved, although he has done better at home this time than last summer, like all students he needs to be back with his peers even if teaching continues online.

DS is planning to stay for 4th year and has already sorted a house with friends near to their colleges, a big advantage for them is a communal space to socialise instead of a tiny gyp, and for me, only having to transport stuff once there and back!

DS2 emailed his tutor who said don't make an individual application to return - just yet - as there are meetings going on at college in any case about all of this.

However, DS2 then did - wisely - email the person at the college dealing with individual applications to request a return. This person said that they're dealing with lots of similar applications and that DS2 is now in the waiting list for his request to be considered and they'll get back to him. So I'm glad DS2 contacted that person anyway as he'd not even have been in the queue to be considered.

It is excruciating to watch DS2 now waiting and waiting for news, whilst his brother prepares to return to his Cambridge college along with all the others he thinks. This really is like torture for DS2.

For those who might not have had mental health issues before, surely the continued uncertainty and the continued likelihood that first years especially aren't going to be allowed to return - is going to create mental health issues now?

My son has now got the go ahead to return on 19th which makes me very happy. As well as mental health issues, his journey is difficult with Covid -10 hours on the train and three changes from the Highlands. Trains are sparse and not many seats available. I believe has received a special dispensation but he had to ask.

FFS.
www.gov.uk/government/news/remaining-university-students-to-return-to-campus-from-step-3-of-the-roadmap-no-earlier-than-17-may

I'm really sorry mutterphore, what a shit situation. i'm glad your ds2 emailed.

I strongly suspect that an approach of many colleges will aim to be as lenient as possible now to minimise disruption part way through the term. What a load of bollocks it all is.

dds college has switched to being rather encouraging of people to come back if they need to prepare for exams and lack adequate study space.

Oxford update:Returning to Oxford (updated 13 April)

Residency requirements will not be in place for Trinity term, so you do not have to be in Oxford. However, we encourage you to return for in-person teaching where possible.

The UK Government updated its guidance for higher education institutions on Tuesday 13 April. This includes confirmation that for students on non-practical courses, in-person teaching should not resume until 17 May at the earliest (alongside Step 3 of the Government’s Roadmap for easting national restrictions). The University and colleges are now urgently reviewing the guidance as a priority, and we will provide further information as soon as possible.

At this stage, taught students should only return to Oxford if:

you are on a practical or practice-based course and your department has invited you to take part in in-person teaching in Trinity term (refer to ‘teaching, learning and assessment’ section above for further details):you have agreed with your college that you can return because you meet one of the existing exemptions outlined belowOther students who may be able to return

As well as those who have been permitted to return to take part in in-person teaching (see above), in line with Government guidance, you may also be able to return if:

You need to collect any medical equipment or items required for online learningYou need to return for health and safety (including mental health and wellbeing) reasons

Colleges will consider requests to return on this basis at any time, in line with Government guidance.

Government guidance states that you may be permitted to return if you do not have access to appropriate alternative accommodation, facilities or study space.

These needs are likely to be particularly acute for students nearing completion of their degrees, with important submissions and final assessments in the next term. Therefore, consideration will be given for you to return in order to access facilities needed for education or revision if you are:

A taught postgraduate student in your final year, including those on one-year taught Masters programmes (in which case you may be able to return from 8 March)A final year undergraduate student, including third-year students on four-year integrated masters courses (in which case you may be able to return from 12 April).

If you believe that any of the criteria above apply to you, you should contact your college (or your department if you don’t have a college).

Please note that there is no exemption in the guidance that allows individuals to change their place of residence to take part in sports. Only a very small number of students may be allowed to return to take part in designated elite sports, but only if this is previously agreed with the University and college.

Please do not make plans to travel to Oxford until you have confirmed with your college when you are able to return.

You should return in time to take two Lateral Flow Device tests before your in-person teaching begins. You will be able to access these tests through your college (or your department if you don’t have a college). See the testing section below for information.

If you have in-person teaching scheduled, but are not able to return, you should discuss with your department what alternative arrangements can be put in place for you, including whether an alternative catch up plan can be offered at a later date.

This is getting ridiculous now. The subset of those not able to return will be Years 1/2 in very strict colleges and that's it.

DS (final year) is returning next week, colleges seem to be happy to have more of them back this term. It’s just all wrong, how can we be prioritising pubs, zoos, nails and fake tans over young peoples’ education?

I would be interested to know what allowances Oxford are proposing to make for those students who have been at home since the beginning of December. This thread alone makes reference to students who have been able to book daily library slots whilst my ds tells me that he has an ever increasing number of books listed that he is unable to access online. In effect Oxford are now operating a two tier system of education (albeit both significantly below what could reasonably be expected)

A level students made the government change policy last August, when they demonstrated about the injustice over grades. Perhaps they will take to the streets again and inspire a rethink?

If this wasn't so sad it would be laughable. Most students are in their university towns anyway and the only ones at hone are the unlucky ones with ultra-cautious universities/colleges. I can't imagine that the movement of these students will make a blind bit of difference to the COVID death stats. But for sure having their years ruined will make a huge difference to those individuals (and their concerned parents).
This will have to have an impact on mental health so maybe the best plan is to get a GP note to that effect.

I'm confused about the practical courses. There are many practical courses that weren't on the list last term. Does anyone know if they will be expanding that list?

DD sent me this.

Except then, of course, the government did confirm.