‘Disaster’ warning as students return
New rules will be drawn up to protect students returning to campuses amid concerns they could become ‘the care homes of a second wave’.
THOUSANDS of students heading back to university during the coronavirus pandemic is a “recipe for disaster”, union bosses have said.
It comes amid a warning that campuses could become “the care homes of a second wave”.
The Scottish Government will today unveil its updated guidance for universities ahead of the new term.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney has also warned that there should not be any “large-scale socialisation” as part of traditional freshers’ week activities.
UNION bosses have stressed that thousands of students heading back to campuses is a “recipe for disaster” amid a warning universities could become “the care homes of a second wave”.
The Scottish Government will today unveil its updated guidance for universities ahead of students returning for the new term – and rules could be set out over testing, amid fears regarding a large number of overseas students arriving in the country.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney has warned there should not be any “large-scale socialisation” as part of traditional freshers’ week activities.
The director of Universities Scotland has stressed he is “extremely confident” that enough safety measures are in place in order for students to carry out their studies.
But the University and College Union (UCU) said that uncapped recruitment could overwhelm some institutions and risked “turning universities into the care homes of a second wave”.
UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: “Moving a million-plus students around the country is a recipe for disaster and risks leaving ill-prepared universities as the care homes of a second wave.
“Refusing to act now will only store up problems further down the line as courses are forced to move online and students forced into lockdown.”
In evidence submitted to Holyrood’s education committee, the UCU has called for tighter measures to be imposed on campuses to “ensure that our universities do not become Covid hotspots”.
The union has pointed to an influx of students arriving in university towns across Scotland.
It adds: “It is absolutely vital that a cautious approach is taken, which has safe and healthy campuses’ strategies as the priority, with remote and online learning as the default position for the immediate future, and protects those students and staff most vulnerable to Covid-19, including older people, BME people, pregnant students/staff, and the disabled.
“Evidence so far is that not all Scottish institutions are taking this approach and we fear this risks the danger of us seeing a significant outbreak in a university.”
The UCU expects the default position to be for university staff to work from home where they are able to as part of the Scottish Government’s new guidance, but has called for the use of face coverings “for those staff and students required to be on campus”.
It added: “Decisions should be driven by health and safety concerns and not cost.
“The union has also called for a robust and extensive testing regime to be in place to support safe returns to universities. This means provision of tests for international or recently travelled staff and students, access to walk in testing centres, and regular testing available for staff and students.”
Alastair Sim, director of Universities Scotland, said he was a “little surprised” at the reaction from the UCU, adding a lot of the work had been put into place in conjunction with the staff and students, and expected further guidance from the Scottish Government today.
He said: “We’ve got physical distancing in place, a really high-quality blend of digital learning and face-to-face learning. We’ve got students being managed in small households, we’ve got attendance monitoring. We’ve got quarantine for students arriving from countries that aren’t exempt.”
He added: “You’re not going to see anything like a big traditional lecture, with students sitting next to each other in a big lecture hall.
“The blend will be predominantly towards digital learning.
“Although there are subjects like medicine, nursing and performance, where strong face-to-face learning is needed, and that will be in place in a way that has been worked on to make sure it’s safe.”
It is unclear how many international students will make the journey over to learn in Scottish universities, with Mr Sim saying many of them are still waiting on visas or cheaper flights.
He added: “International students
You’re not going to see anything like a big traditional lecture, with students sitting next to each other in a big lecture hall
are more likely to come over in a staggered fashion.
“They will arrive to arranged accommodation with a welcome pack, that will contain food and contact details, and those arriving from countries where quarantine is needed will quarantine for 14 days first.”
Mr Sim said that he trusts the 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.”
Mr Swinney has also warned new students arriving at university not to expect the same boisterous rite of passage as their predecessors.
There should not be “large-scale socialisation”, he said.
Mr Swinney said there had been extensive discussions around the return of students when the new academic year begins in a few weeks.
Although many freshers’ week events, such as clubs, societies, and quizzes are being held online this year, the lure of going to the pub with fellow newcomers is likely to remain strong.
Asked at the daily briefing about the traditional welcome week at universities and colleges, Mr Swinney said: “I do have concerns about freshers’ week.
“There have been extensive discussions between government, the universities, colleges, student unions and with the NUS (National Union of Students) about the measures we’ve got to put in place to try to ensure that freshers’ week is undertaken in a different fashion to what most students would have experienced over time.
“We have to be conscious of the risks that come from large-scale socialisation.”
Mr Swinney said universities would deliver teaching by “blended learning” to reduce the number of students on campus at any one time.
Mr Swinney added: “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 where we follow guidance and take steps to make sure that everyone is keeping safe.”