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University of Exeter students have been kicked off campus and sent home, as chancellors across the country crack down on breaches of Covid regulations, blamed for increasing infection rates.
Exeter confirmed that it had suspended “a small number” of students for violating the university’s Covid rules amid a spike in infections. Dozens of students elsewhere have been fined after illegal parties, and a university has threatened fines of up to £ 500.
The National Union of Students (NUS) described the fines as obscene and called for a more “care-centered” approach to students, thousands of whom have become infected in the first weeks of school or self-isolate in dormitories . .
“Students have done everything that was asked of them during this pandemic and have returned to college campuses in accordance with government advice,” said NUS President Larissa Kennedy.
Most of the students obeyed the rules, he said, adding: “We have seen many cases of universities using draconian measures, including obscene fines, closing fire doors, private security and guard dogs. This level of campus securitization is not only wrong, it is highly ineffective. Students deserve better. “
The University of Aberdeen, where 122 students tested positive as of Monday, has taken disciplinary action against 29 of its students. While 22 were fined £ 125 for violating Covid guidelines, another seven received warnings.
Manchester Metropolitan University, where staff were told that 901 students tested positive between September 14 and October 4 and 27% of all freshmen self-isolated, has awarded fines of 50 pounds. to 91 students and written warning letters to 37.
These fines are independent of the Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN) that the police may issue for Covid-related offenses. Greater Manchester Police said they delivered nine FPNs to university students between 23 and 30 September.
The level of the fine varies. At Northumbria University, where 770 students tested positive in September, students can be fined up to £ 500 and can be expelled from university accommodation and their courses. At the University of Liverpool the maximum fine is £ 200. At Warwick it is £ 150.
Meanwhile, the University of Reading has had 53 cases of student misconduct so far, though not exclusively related to Covid rules. So far, penalties have ranged from formal warnings to fines of between £ 50 and £ 400, some partially suspended, to encourage better behavior.
In Exeter, where positive cases rose from 127 to 223, the university said students would only be suspended for more serious infractions, where students repeatedly disobey rules. “Students are required to abide by our ‘Safe Community Charter’ and the vast majority of students have behaved impeccably, but when students break the rules, we will take action,” said a spokesperson.
“This action will begin with warnings and fines, but in the event of repeated offenses or serious offenses, we will consider sanctions such as suspension and expulsion.”
Exeter Labor MP Ben Bradshaw said the students had been through a very difficult time, but he backed the university’s disciplinary measures. “Often times, if you take tough and drastic measures early and effectively, you can ensure that more freedoms are enjoyed in the future.”
The University of Manchester, where 1,264 students have tested positive for Covid since Sept. 21, said it had referred 73 students to the university’s internal disciplinary channels for non-compliance with Covid regulations.
A group of students in the hallways of the Fallowfield campus were investigated after they held a “Covid positive party” on Saturday, where guests had to have Coronavirus to gain access. A spokesperson for the University of Manchester said: “The University is aware of this incident and we strongly condemn this irresponsible behavior and conduct.
“We are urgently investigating this and will address responsible students through our internal disciplinary processes. Universities meet daily with Greater Manchester Police and Manchester City Council to review incidents and respond accordingly. “
There are no publicly available figures showing how many students have tested positive at universities across the UK. But according to Public Health England, which monitors outbreaks in educational settings, between September 7 and 27 there were 53 confirmed clusters in English universities. London universities had the most outbreaks (13) in those three weeks, followed by the East Midlands (nine) and North West (eight).
However, other sources suggest that the number of universities with breakouts is higher. According to @UniCovidUK which is tracking Covid cases in higher education, 91 universities in the UK are now affected.
The universities of Northumbria and Newcastle announced that they will move most of their teaching online, following protests from staff and threats to strike after more than 1,000 students in the city tested positive for Covid-19.
They join the Universities of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan, Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam to restrict face-to-face teaching to a small number of courses such as clinical medicine in the last two days.
University of Warwick staff also voted in favor of a strike ballot due to coronavirus concerns, with a warning that industrial action is likely if the university leadership refuses to switch to teaching. online during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Queen’s University Belfast is monitoring an increase in coronavirus cases with reports that 166 students and staff at the University of South Belfast have tested positive for Covid-19. At the University of Birmingham, 307 students and eight staff members tested positive between September 30 and October 6, and the University of Leeds reported more than 550 cases.
Oxford Brookes University has issued more than 200 FPNs to students for violations in privately rented residences and student houses since the arrival weekend of September 12. Other students have been through a disciplinary interview.
A spokesperson said all the money from the flat fines would go to the student hardship fund. “Our expectations for student behavior during the coronavirus have been incorporated into our student conduct procedures, which all students agree to adhere to as part of their enrollment.
“The university will consider any reports of non-compliance and if misconduct is deemed to have occurred, penalties such as fines, unpaid community service, and / or exclusion from facilities and services provided by the university may be issued.”
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