The changes to return counseling for students at the university come after the rapid increase in the number of Covid-19 cases in recent weeks Lucas Maddalena
The university has announced that the majority of students will not be allowed to return until January 25th, with “early return” only being allowed for certain students. All courses that are scheduled to start on January 21st will be offered online by then.
International students whose plans cannot be changed “for reasons including travel expenses” may return to Cambridge as planned.
Other exemptions from the guidelines include PGCE students “returning to internships”, students “without access to appropriate study rooms or facilities”, or those with “specific reasons”, including “health reasons”. An email from Downing College that Varsity saw said this included “mental health issues.”
Students in Part 1A and 1B Medicine and Veterinary Medicine have also received an email confirmation that they will be returning to Cambridge early, with classes for these students starting January 19.
In the university’s email sent to students today (December 31), Vice Chancellor Stephen Toope admitted that the change was “potentially disruptive and difficult for students,” adding that this is one of the ways we will “have to adapt to the rapidly changing circumstances of the pandemic”.
He also added that the January 25 date is “subject to government review” which means there may be “policy changes”. In an email Varsity saw, Queens’ College warned students that the arrangements “can change at very short notice”.
Postgraduate Research Students (PGR) who “need to be in Cambridge for their research projects” can return, but the university “strongly encourages”[s] this group of students not to do so until the week of January 11th, when the asymptomatic tests are resumed. “
Students who are already in Cambridge “should stay in Cambridge,” and the email adds that “some college and university facilities and support will be available” for students returning before January 25th.
This came after Education Secretary Gavin Williamson announced in the House of Commons yesterday (12/30) that universities should reduce the number of students returning in January, with students being given priority in hands-on courses.
In accordance with government guidelines that students should be offered two rapid lateral flow tests before returning to campus, the university will offer individual tests from January 11th and bundled tests from January 18th.
This follows previous government guidelines that university providers should allow students to return to hands-on courses from Jan. 4-18, with providers deciding which students can return to courses first based on a number of factors such as work, clinical, or practical internship require hands-on teaching or learning, and courses that require access to professional or technical equipment.
Under the initial guidance, students in non-practical courses would then gradually return over a period of two weeks from January 25th.
Following Williamson’s speech, a subsequent letter from Michelle Donelan, Secretary of State for Universities, confirmed that “with the rate of infection rising, the return of all other students” [those studying non-practical courses] should be paused at least until the week of January 25th. “
Meanwhile, the University and College Union (UCU) has questioned the government’s latest plans to continue in-person tuition.
In response to Williamson’s announcement, UCU General Secretary Jo Grady opposed giving students lateral flow tests before returning to campus, claiming that such tests “fail”.[es] an alarming number of people with Covid. “
Grady said, “We seem headed for a national disaster now, with the NHS about to be overwhelmed, but the government is determined to use lateral flow tests to get students back on campus.”
“Learning online by Easter would help lower transmission rates and ensure a consistent learning experience, but the government remains fixated on forcing students and staff into lecture halls and classrooms.” […] We will have another tenure that will force students in and out of isolation and put staff at risk while their curricula are continually interrupted. “
The Cambridge SU Class Act Campaign also published a Facebook statement on “Tier 4 and Accommodation” yesterday (12/30) promoting the rights of “any student who declares himself or herself due to a lack of safe or suitable accommodation in Cambridge must live ”. Alternative; for security, psychological or medical reasons; or for some other reason, if appropriate, self-certified to be “university housed”.
The statement also adds that “students should not be financially penalized for circumstances beyond their control” and offers support from committee members as part of their commitment to “building a community of care and compassion” .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock also announced in the House of Commons yesterday (12/30) that areas such as Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Nottingham and Nottinghamshire would all move into Tier 4 starting today (12/31), which means that roughly three-quarters of England are now placed under Tier 4 restrictions, with all areas of the country now subject to at least Tier 3 restrictions.
Another 55,892 Covid-19 cases with 964 deaths per day were reported in the UK today (December 31).
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