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Universities could become the “residences of the second wave of COVID-19,” warned a higher education union.
In an exclusive television interview with Sky News, The University and College Union (UCU) says the government and universities are putting public health at risk by moving forward with plans to fully reopen campuses in a few weeks.
The start of a new college year is “the largest annual migration of people in the UK,” says Jo Grady, UCU secretary general.
“That’s a million students, moving across the country, in and out of lockdown zones, bubbles, homes, to new cities, where we are not tracking and tracking those students, we are not evaluating those students,” he said .
“We are seriously concerned that if the government and universities do not step in and discourage this … we could see universities becoming the nursing homes of the second wave of COVID-19. “
UCU wants, at a minimum, the government to impose mandatory COVID-19 tests on students upon arrival.
But some staff members who work at universities believe that the number of students should be completely restricted.
“Face-to-face teaching is not worth the risk,” university researcher Eric Lybeck told Sky News.
“There are some exceptions that I can see where lab facilities are needed, or disadvantaged students may not have access to the internet or certain health concerns where perhaps some access to university facilities could be provided.
“But wherever young people can do their seminars, teach in small groups, give lectures online, it seems like that’s the right thing to do until the government gets the pandemic under control.”
University researcher Eric Lybeck cautions that face-to-face teaching is ‘not worth the risk’
Following the changes in A-Level results, many universities reported having to accept more students than they had initially counted, complicating existing social distancing plans.
UCU says the government should financially support institutions that “do the right thing for public health” and move services online, so that they avoid loss of income due to lack of tuition and housing.
It’s been a hot summer for this year’s cohort of freshmen, who had exams canceled, grades re-marked, and college places awarded and withdrawn.
James Appiah, 18, who will start at Cambridge University next month, said restrictions on joining his classmates “would spoil my expectation of going to Cambridge.”
He added: “I hope to see my speakers face to face, go and have a good time with my friends, connect with people.
“Online learning is not exactly a big loss, I think it will only be for the first year, as long as there is no second wave of the coronavirus, but [if I stayed at home] I’d be very upset about that. “
James Appiah says he would be disappointed if the number of students at Cambridge were restricted
The Department of Education says that “we are confident that universities are well prepared for the return of students.”
“The safety and well-being of university staff and students is always our priority.
“We keep our guide under constant review and are currently updating our advice … even on face coverings.”
