Lots of media talking about the return of students to campuses, and especially “freshers” facing local downs and missing out on social activities. Thread.

But most are not reporting that for most unis currently there are no more restrictions on socialising than apply to the wider population. Yes it may mean no large parties and social events, but student societies, unis and SUs are putting on appropriate activities for new students

Those people questioning whether fees for largely online courses should be reduced seem to have limited understanding of how student finance works (no surprise as it is smoke and mirrors), unis costs or how students learn today.

Many students even at campus unis use online recordings of lectures already, even if they have the choice of attending in person. What may be more of an issue is practical elements to some courses, but the world is having to figure out how to do more virtually.

Unis still have they same costs of academics, providing on and offline learning resources etc however students learn. So there is no basis to reduce them on that score.

And English fees are not even set according to costs of courses, they are a flat rate tax set by government and not genuine consumer payments.

But in my view there are two issues which really do need attention urgently by both governments and unis; better communication directly to students and parents. If we want students to follow rules to protect us all they need very clear and direct advice and instruction.

And there needs to be effective action on mental health and wellbeing. In normal times uni can be a stressful and difficult time for some. Covid isolation is known to be affected the mental wellbeing of many people, students or not.

The answer is probably not to send everyone home. Teaching is still happening including face to face where risk assessed as safe, there is still a student social life with no more restrictions than students would face at home.

But ensuring additional pastoral support and making social interaction within the rules as easy as possible could help. All just personal opinion of course, and my only expertise is having a student daughter.