The level of the Covid crisis on campuses is a direct result of
the Westminster government ignoring expert advice and deciding to
put the health of university staff, students and local
communities at risk, said the University and College Union (UCU)
today (Tuesday).
It was revealed last night that ministers ignored a series of
measures recommended by the Scientific Advisory Group for
Emergencies (Sage), which included moving all university and
college teaching online unless in-person teaching was absolutely
essential. UCU called for university teaching to be moved online
in August.
UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: ‘Ministers were given clear
recommendations on how to stem the spread of the virus before
term started at the vast majority of universities. They could
have taken swift and decisive action then and instructed
universities to move their teaching online to mitigate against
tens of thousands of students moving across the country.
‘The chaos we see on campus and in halls of residence now is a
direct result of ministers’ decision to ignore that advice and
choose to put the health of university staff, students and local
communities at risk.
‘To stop more areas being forced into harsher restrictions, we
need a nationally coordinated response from government that
belatedly moves working online at universities. Students must be
allowed to return home if they wish, provided it is safe to do
so.’
