Phased return to in-person teaching at St Andrews

St Andrews University has outlined a phased return to in-person teaching when the new semester starts on September 14.

Principal Professor Sally Mapstone confirmed the significant change to the institution’s plans after it emerged more students than previously thought will be in the Fife town at the start of term.

Late changes to A-level and Higher results, coupled with a high demand from overseas, have boosted the university’s current population of 9,000 students to 10,000 – with up to 1,000 of those enrolling for remote learning only.

The university had feared it would lose 2,000 students due to the pandemic.

The clamour for universitymanaged accommodation is such that the university has moved to secure additional student housing in Dundee and Leuchars.

Face-to-face teaching in classrooms will be phased in over the first seven weeks of the new term and comes after the University and Colleges Union (UCU) had expressed concerns about St Andrews’ strategy.

Prof Mapstone said the new approach to the start of the academic year, in which fewer than 10% of classes will be delivered in person to start, would allow the university to build community confidence.

“I have listened carefully to our staff and students and our local community and, while there is a substantial desire to return to doing what we do best as a university, there is an understandable anxiety among some members of our teaching staff about the next few weeks.

“I know that tutors want to teach in-person and our students want to learn that way but the experience of all of us is diminished if apprehension affects the classroom dynamic disproportionately, as I believe it could at present.

“For clarity, I remain utterly confident in our risk assessment procedures, developed jointly with our campus trade unions and the very considerable steps we have taken over the summer to plan for the safe resumption of teaching and research in St Andrews.”

Additional resources will be put into a fund to support students who are digitally excluded or may find learning remotely difficult.

It has also recommended students should still be in St Andrews, where they have access to libraries and other resources, if possible.

The news came as Education Secretary John Swinney said freshers’ weeks would be much different this year.

Ahead of further guidance for Covid-19 safety in higher education being published today, Mr Swinney said: “I understand how exciting and thrilling the prospect of coming to university is for students and freshers’ week is very much part of the character of that experience.

“But as we have laboured throughout this pandemic, this year is different and it has to be pursued in a safe fashion.”

Earlier, the director of umbrella group Universities Scotland said he was “extremely confident” universities have enough safety measures in place to enable students to start learning.

“You’re not going to see anything like a big traditional lecture, with students sitting next to each other in a big lecture hall,” he noted.

“The blend will be predominantly towards digital learning.”

Mr Sim added he trusts students not to gather in large groups in pubs and restaurants, saying: “It is an extraordinary, responsible generation who have lived through this and understand the importance of it.”