Universities UK (UUK) has written to the UK government
seeking an explanation for the lack of an announcement on student
returns in England in Monday’s Covid-19 press briefing.
Universities and up to a million students were eagerly awaiting
the government’s latest roadmap announcement, in anticipation
that they would be able to return to safe, socially-distanced
in-person teaching and learning from 12 April.
Instead, they have been met with a communications vacuum.
In a letter
to the Prime Minister, Professor Julia Buckingham CBE,
President, Universities UK said:
“The list of sectors which are allowed to operate in-person
activities in England from 12 April is extensive – all shops,
personal care businesses, gyms, spas, zoos, theme parks, public
libraries and community centres – and restrictions will be lifted
enabling people to travel anywhere in England for a self-catering
holiday.
“It therefore seems illogical that students are not allowed to
return to their self-catering accommodation and resume their
studies in Covid-safe university facilities, particularly at this
crucial time of the academic year. This is another blow for those
students who have been studying online since early December, and
you will be aware of many studies highlighting the impact on
students’ mental health, wellbeing and development.”
UUK had previously made an evidence-based case to the government
on the benefits of a 12 April return for students’ mental health
and wellbeing, as well as the wide-ranging Covid safety measures
in place on campuses that have successfully minimised virus
transmission this year.
With no announcement forthcoming, UUK is now asking the
government to publish the evidence behind its decision-making,
and explain what steps they will take to support the mental
health and wider prospects of every student still awaiting news
on when they will see a return to in-person activities.
ENDS
Notes to editors
- Universities UK (UUK) is the collective voice of 140
universities in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Its mission is to create the conditions for UK universities to be
the best in the world; maximising their positive impact locally,
nationally and globally. Universities UK acts on behalf of
universities, represented by their heads of institution.
- The text of
the full letter to the Prime Minister is available on the
Universities UK website.
- UUK estimates that as many as 50% of the 2.1 million higher
education students in England are still being taught fully
online, either in their normal term-time accommodation or at
home, with no access to university-provided in-person learning,
activities, or support.
- Universities have been working hard to prepare for the summer
term for all students with plans including blended teaching and
learning, opportunities to use library, computing and studio
spaces, on-campus sport, graduate support bootcamps, and creative
use of outdoor space – in accordance with government guidance –
to encourage group work and social interaction.
- Term dates will vary, and so individual students should wait
to hear more from their university, but UUK’s work looking at
plans for the summer term suggests that the majority of
universities have plans for programmes, activities and extended
opening of some facilities which will be available and of benefit
to students even if they are unable to return until May. For this
reason, we need government to give a clearer indication about
plans for the return of all students in the summer term.
- Recent data published by the Office for National Statistics
(ONS) revealed that almost two-thirds of students have
experienced a decline in their mental health this academic year,
and that students' life satisfaction during the pandemic remains
far below the national adult average. Universities UK
has called for targeted
government support for student mental health.
- Universities continue to make significant investments in
student and staff safety including updated risk assessments,
Covid-secure measures, enhanced testing, and lessons learned from
the autumn. Measures include:
- adherence to mandatory social distancing
- continuation of blended learning even upon return (lectures
remain online, in-person activities minimised, numbers using
facilities such as libraries are controlled)
- reduced numbers on campus and using facilities
- increased hygiene measures across the university estate –
teaching and learning spaces and in accommodation including
enhanced cleaning and sanitisation stations
- assessment of adequate ventilation in accordance with
guidance
- mandatory face coverings in all indoor public spaces in
accordance with guidance
- regular review of risk assessments and a risk-based approach.
- Previous data published by the
ONS shows that infection rates of higher education teaching
professionals are low compared to people working in other
education settings. This follows prior research which revealed
there is minimal evidence of Covid-19 transmission in
face-to-face learning environments at universities, such as
classrooms.
- A recent Sutton Trust report on Covid-19 and
the university experience showed that participation in
extra-curricular activities this academic year is substantially
down on normal. 39% of students reported taking part in student
societies or sport in the autumn term, and this has fallen
further since Christmas to just 30%. Almost half (47%) of
students reported taking part in no wider enrichment activities
at all this term, and they are also less likely to have taken
part in work experience, paid work, or study abroad
opportunities.
- Universities have prepared a variety of additional activities
designed to support final year undergraduates and postgraduate
taught students who are graduating this year, including:
- Volunteering projects with local charities and schools
- On-campus and online employer-led events
- In-person self-development events, and one-to-one drop in
appointments
- Intensive summer programmes to enable students on practical
and practice-based subjects to spend more hours using specialist
equipment and facilities
