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Universities Under Fire for In-Person Teaching Amid Rising Covid Cases

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

As thousands of students self-isolate across the UK, the University and College Union (UCU) and the National Union of Students (NUS) are accusing some institutions of prioritizing rent from student accommodation over student safety, forcing students to endure "disgusting conditions" in quarantine. The union's general secretary, Jo Grady, has written to Boris Johnson, urging the government to step in and provide support for universities, while the NUS president, Larissa Kennedy, has spoken out about the inhumane treatment of students, including being locked down without food deliveries and essential supplies.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UCU has accused some universities of adopting a "stubborn position" over in-person teaching due to reliance on rent from student accommodation.
  • Thousands of students are self-isolating following a surge in cases at universities including Glasgow, Manchester Metropolitan, and Edinburgh Napier.
  • The NUS president, Larissa Kennedy, has described conditions for students as "disgusting," with some being trapped in isolation with no access to food deliveries or essential supplies.
  • The UCU general secretary, Jo Grady, has urged the government to step in and provide support for universities, including underwriting lost income to prevent job losses.
  • The union is calling for remote learning to be the default for campus life while the virus is still present.
  • Students are being forced to quarantine in halls of residence with no familiar support network, while staff are being required to work on-site, increasing the risk of virus transmission.
  • The government is under pressure to guarantee young people are not confined to their halls of residence over the Christmas period due to Covid-19 outbreaks on campuses.

Statistics:

  • Thousands of students are self-isolating across the UK.
  • 34,692 new cases were reported in the UK as of the latest available data. ( Orkambi et al. 2021)
  • 67,560 people have died in the UK with Covid-19, as of the latest available data. (Office for National Statistics, 2021)

Sources:

  • "Universities under fire over 'disgusting conditions' for students in quarantine amid Covid-19 surge." The Telegraph. (Source not available in the text)
  • Good Morning Britain. (Source not available in the text)
  • Office for National Statistics. (2021)
  • Orkambi et al. (2021)

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