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Good review of the Christmas thing here from @seanjcoughlan https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-54570623
As if this is where we've ended up as a sector
It wouldn't be so bad if this was informed by a proper sense of what is happening in HMOs. But as it is what this "means" is students on campus are adhering to the rules, by staying in their tiny tiny rooms.
I think this view is a real problem. The two universities I know that decided to move to s much online as possible early in May/June are calmer, staff happier, everything smoother on O&M, decisions easier etc.
Now one of the two is rich enough to take a hit on campus accomm (many students still choosing to come and there's lots of voluntary F2F activity that's not essential to course) and the other mainly commuter students. But in both cases early decision making.
What we need is commitment from government to underwrite finances that would allow universities to make the right decisions for their staff, students and communities.
Because here's the thing. If we said to universities now "from here on in don't worry about the financial implications of drop out or residence rent dropping off" they'd all make radically different and early decisions re January. Suddenly all the twaddle about blended experience
... would soften and we could have a cleverer conversation. But they're obviously trapped and we are locked into witnessing the most egregious doublespeak and gaslighting. And as long as that conversation goes on in private, we'll get nowhere.
Imagine if UUK campaigned in public instead of lobbying in private.
The similar trap faces students. If there was no risk/penalty to pulling out now, many would. But they daren't. There's rent to pay and it's a whole term's worth of fee debt and a year's worth of loan entitlement. So instead of making the right decision for their health...
... they make a decision troubled by financial fears. See these three assertions. I'm not sure a) is true. If on b) all we have to persuade them to stay is a financial trap we should hold our heads in hands with shame as a society. And on c) "start" doing a lot of work.
I suspect "strengthen" would be more accurate.
Oh and then I've just seen this https://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/oct/17/uk-universities-accused-of-keeping-students-at-all-costs-until-after-fee-deadline?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other
Also. Anna I know I go on about this a lot. The assumption that outbreaks are calming down is about a focus on numbers in halls. Well no shit sherlock. Major outbreak, lock it down en masse, voila. Rinse and repeat.
But if you follow the science you'd know HMO compliance with testing and self-isolation likely to be very low. Add in that student FOMO (I can't miss the few hours F2F im getting) and the lack of self isolation support in HMOs (out of sight out of mind) and we are likely to...
... a major problem out in HMOs.
Anyone that assumes that a four student HMO of friends is doing anything other than agreeing to not get a test if someone has symptoms - but to behave carefully if they do - is living in cloud cuckoo land.
Sir John Bell on R4 just now
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