Treatment of students at universities

[Scotrail12]

I've been scrolling through Twitter and am disgusted at some of the things I'm seeing about students at universities at the moment.

Apparently police are stationed around some uni halls of residence, telling off people for playing music and apparently some were following students right into their hall of residence to ensure that they aren't attending a party.

And Wee Nippy up in Scotland is a total ageist freak - she wasn't willing to release lockdown for younger people back in the 1st lockdown but is more than willing to punish students and not allow them out at all during the weekend. How does that make a shred of sense? And it's now a criminal offence to go home? The suicide and self-harm rate will go up for sure. Put yourself in that situation - away from home for the first time, homesick, alone, not around anyone you know, in a different city, police around you. It does NOT bear thinking about. Why the hell are we still so COVID centric and why are we restricting students so much when we know that they won't die from the virus?

Criminals are treated better than that!!! We need to do something and do it ASAP!!!!

 

[Ascotroyal]

Im trying to work out why the police are telling students off for playing music unless they are playing it stupidly loud.

 

[Huntergreed]

I'm in this situation. For context, I'm staying in university halls. We've been told that at the moment we are not allowed to:

Go home and see family
Go to the pub, or any cafe/restaurant
Visit anyone else outwith the flat
Socialise with any more than 1 household outdoors


If we do so, we could get fined thousands, sent home, or chucked off the course.

There are posters on the wall saying 'social gatherings will not be tolerated, fine: £1,000'

We've also had a local resident complained to the accommodation because they saw two people outside the building, not social distancing. They've told us they'll be checking the perimeters and any rule breakers will be fined or their contract terminated.

We got an email today saying they'll be watching CCTV to see who's going where and if anyone is seen letting someone else into their flat, it'll be notified to the police, we are also being told that we are putting everyone at risk if we break any rules and that if we do so we will be removed from our university for dangerous behaviour.

I'm so so angry I can't even put it into words, and I'm going to be doing deep research into human rights laws to see what they say, needless to say if I find an anomaly they WILL know about it.

Quite frankly, I feel like I'm in prison, just that I can leave, but only for certain reasons. Hate it here and frankly I can't wait until this **** is over with.

If anyone thinks this is really justified, I'm up for a very lengthy and very passionate argument, it's awful.

 

[Ascotroyal]

How can they posibly enforce the "cant go home and see family" rule?

 

[Scotrail12]

How can they posibly enforce the "cant go home and see family" rule?

I find that one odd as well. How do they know?

 

[DB]

I find that one odd as well. How do they know?

They will be relying on most complying through fear. They've sunk so low that they are now resorting to playground bully tactics.

 

[MikeWM]

From what I've read I've read over the past few days here and elsewhere, prisoners are being treated better (and not paying many thousands for the privilege, in England at least).

What are we doing and what have we become?

 

[yorkie]

From what I've read I've read over the past few days here and elsewhere, prisoners are being treated better (and not paying many thousands for the privilege, in England at least).

What are we doing and what have we become?

an overly authoritarian society that puts young people & mental health last

 

[DustyBin]

I'm in this situation. For context, I'm staying in university halls. We've been told that at the moment we are not allowed to:

Go home and see family
Go to the pub, or any cafe/restaurant
Visit anyone else outwith the flat
Socialise with any more than 1 household outdoors


If we do so, we could get fined thousands, sent home, or chucked off the course.

There are posters on the wall saying 'social gatherings will not be tolerated, fine: £1,000'

We've also had a local resident complained to the accommodation because they saw two people outside the building, not social distancing. They've told us they'll be checking the perimeters and any rule breakers will be fined or their contract terminated.

We got an email today saying they'll be watching CCTV to see who's going where and if anyone is seen letting someone else into their flat, it'll be notified to the police, we are also being told that we are putting everyone at risk if we break any rules and that if we do so we will be removed from our university for dangerous behaviour.

I'm so so angry I can't even put it into words, and I'm going to be doing deep research into human rights laws to see what they say, needless to say if I find an anomaly they WILL know about it.

Quite frankly, I feel like I'm in prison, just that I can leave, but only for certain reasons. Hate it here and frankly I can't wait until this **** is over with.

That is absolutely disgusting I’m livid for you! Try and stay positive, socialise with your flatmates (hopefully you like them!) and concentrate on your course, there’s not much else you can do. It really is shameful by the university though....

 

[MikeWM]

an overly authoritarian society that puts young people & mental health last

Yes, and the longer it goes on the worse it gets, it seems. I don't see how this can be fixed

 

[island]

How can they posibly enforce the "cant go home and see family" rule?

Same way as most of the other rules are enforced, namely by people getting dobbed in by their friends and neighbours.

As it isn‘t a discrimination matter, they can (probably) chuck people out of accommodation if they like by terminating the licence. Not that that makes it right of course.

 

[MattA7]

What sturgeon seems to be forgetting is that most SNP voters are younger people and also it’s mostly younger people who support her Scottish independence ideology (although I am a exception to that) And won’t be keen to vote her in during the next election if she carries on with this appalling and arguably degrading treatment.

on a second not can police really stop them from leaving the building? They are not prisoners and not being held in lawful custody

 

[Huntergreed]

on a second not can police really stop them from leaving the building? They are not prisoners and not being held in lawful custody

If it's mandatory to stay in house arrest self isolation for 2 weeks in England by law, I assume the police could use the same power up here?

 

[bramling]

I'm in this situation. For context, I'm staying in university halls. We've been told that at the moment we are not allowed to:

Go home and see family
Go to the pub, or any cafe/restaurant
Visit anyone else outwith the flat
Socialise with any more than 1 household outdoors


If we do so, we could get fined thousands, sent home, or chucked off the course.

There are posters on the wall saying 'social gatherings will not be tolerated, fine: £1,000'

We've also had a local resident complained to the accommodation because they saw two people outside the building, not social distancing. They've told us they'll be checking the perimeters and any rule breakers will be fined or their contract terminated.

We got an email today saying they'll be watching CCTV to see who's going where and if anyone is seen letting someone else into their flat, it'll be notified to the police, we are also being told that we are putting everyone at risk if we break any rules and that if we do so we will be removed from our university for dangerous behaviour.

I'm so so angry I can't even put it into words, and I'm going to be doing deep research into human rights laws to see what they say, needless to say if I find an anomaly they WILL know about it.

Quite frankly, I feel like I'm in prison, just that I can leave, but only for certain reasons. Hate it here and frankly I can't wait until this **** is over with.

If anyone thinks this is really justified, I'm up for a very lengthy and very passionate argument, it's awful.

Really sorry to hear this. University can be a stressful time, and this certainly won’t be helping.

 

[yorkie]

on a second not can police really stop them from leaving the building?

There is no ban on outdoor exercise, is there?
If I was in this situation I'd be going for some long walks.

@Huntergreed if you want to talk, do get in touch with myself , @Mag_seven or others .

 

[bramling]

If it's mandatory to stay in house arrest self isolation for 2 weeks in England by law, I assume the police could use the same power up here?

Only if it’s enshrined in law. She hasn’t done that, surely?

The university can theoretically impose whatever conditions they like though, within reason.

 

[furlong]

Logic, science and common sense went AWOL months ago - it seems to be petty party political games now being played out on people's lives and livelihoods. Each trying to coax the other into doing things that cut them off from their existing supporter bases and boost their own future position when the music stops. We're heading towards an almighty day of reckoning when the truth emerges as it will.

 

[87electric]

How the hell can all you Uni people concentrate on studies with all this rubbish thrown at you? Not content with destroying the economy, they want to destroy family units as well. This is never going to go away unless a line is drawn in the sand and we all start to not comply. Liberties are being taken and it isn't funny anymore.

 

[BJames]

There is no ban on outdoor exercise, is there?
If I was in this situation I'd be going for some long walks.

@Huntergreed if you want to talk, do get in touch with myself , @Mag_seven or others .

Adding my name to that list. Feel free to send me a message at any time as a fellow university student (although not in Scotland, I'm putting myself in your position and can only imagine my immense frustration if I was confined to halls in the same way you are).

Only if it’s enshrined in law. She hasn’t done that, surely?

The university can theoretically impose whatever conditions they like though, within reason.

Universities typically like to take things into their own hands to satisfy the most vocal resident groups who are usually based in the local student areas (why any normal residents would choose to live in a student area is beyond me, most of the time houses aren't even cheaper there). Ours is threatening fines of up to £1500 for breaking the "community pledge" which we "all need to sign to keep the community safe". I have yet to sign said pledge. This is of course on top of the potential fines of up to £10k from the police if you break the rule of six and house parties etc.

 

[Mintona]

Nobody who can do anything about it cares about young people.

 

[BJames]

How the hell can all you Uni people concentrate on studies with all this rubbish thrown at you? Not content with destroying the economy, they want to destroy family units as well. This is never going to go away unless a line is drawn in the sand and we all start to not comply. Liberties are being taken and it isn't funny anymore.

I for one can't concentrate working from home. I used to spend all my research time in the library, but won't do so while the requirement to wear a face covering at all times in the library is still a thing. Will have to try and make it work from home and coffee shops where possible.

 

[DB]

Logic, science and common sense went AWOL months ago - it seems to be petty party political games now being played out on people's lives and livelihoods. Each trying to coax the other into doing things that cut them off from their existing supporter bases and boost their own future position when the music stops. We're heading towards an almighty day of reckoning when the truth emerges as it will.

The trouble is that there is no real alternative - all the main political parties are following slight variations on the same futile, authoritarian strategy.

 

[farci]

Criminals are treated better than that!!! We need to do something and do it ASAP!!!!

I would like to revisit this post when England & Wales universities reconvene. The problem is not Wee Nippy but timing.

It comes after thousands of students UK-wide were forced to go into isolation within days of campuses reopening, as ministers refused to rule out keeping them away from home over Christmas to stop the spread of Covid-19. Scotland, which is home to about 300,000 students in higher and further education, is particularly affected as the academic year starts earlier than in England and Wales.

https://www.theguardian.com/educati...f-students-in-isolation-at-20-uk-universities

Virus clusters at French universities a worry for returning students
https://www.euronews.com/2020/09/18...h-universities-a-worry-for-returning-students

 

[Cowley]

There is no ban on outdoor exercise, is there?
If I was in this situation I'd be going for some long walks.

@Huntergreed if you want to talk, do get in touch with myself , @Mag_seven or others .

I’ll likewise offer myself up to talk to any of you that are having a difficult time at the moment.
I may not have the answers, but having children/stepchildren in the same age group I am a good listener and have a bit of an understanding of what you’ve been going through.

 

[furlong]

If you're looking for inspiration, NUI Galway drops ‘behave responsibly’ pledge requirement

NUI Galway has dropped its mandatory requirement that all students must sign a pledge to adhere to public health advice and “behave responsibly”as a condition of registration for the new academic year.

Simeon Burke for President

Simeon Burke for President. 505 likes · 1 talking about this. Final Year Civil Law Student at NUI Galway. Running for President. #NUIGSU21. Follow the campaign on

www.facebook.com

 

[Huntergreed]

We’ve just had an email through saying if we’re seen in a pub or hospitality venue or socialising with someone outwith our household this coming weekend, we’ll be facing disciplinary action due to the Scottish government guidance for this weekend.

It seems to be the case (from what I’ve heard from the inside) that the Scottish government are considering closing universities and moving courses completely online to assist with the national effort to eliminate Covid, and that this may be happening sooner rather than later unless things change.

Lucky I have the railway to keep me busy in Glashow (can go bashing), but I imagine it’s going to be tough indeed. At this rate the suicide rate will be through the roof.

 

[GusB]

In an ideal world, they'd have had loads of test kits available for when students arrived, or possibly have them sent out beforehand. A positive test result would have required quarantine for the relevant amount of time while everyone else could just get on with it. None of these measures work if the test/trace/protect/whateveryouwanttocallit is so woefully inadequate, whether or not you're a student.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

an overly authoritarian society that puts young people & mental health last

Sadly this is NOT hyperbole or exaggeration.

I’ll likewise offer myself up to talk to any of you that are having a difficult time at the moment.
I may not have the answers, but having children/stepchildren in the same age group I am a good listener and have a bit of an understanding of what you’ve been going through.

Likewise. I am 5 hours behind in time zone but that is probably a good think as we will have overlap.

 

[Bantamzen]

I'm in this situation. For context, I'm staying in university halls. We've been told that at the moment we are not allowed to:

Go home and see family
Go to the pub, or any cafe/restaurant
Visit anyone else outwith the flat
Socialise with any more than 1 household outdoors


If we do so, we could get fined thousands, sent home, or chucked off the course.

There are posters on the wall saying 'social gatherings will not be tolerated, fine: £1,000'

We've also had a local resident complained to the accommodation because they saw two people outside the building, not social distancing. They've told us they'll be checking the perimeters and any rule breakers will be fined or their contract terminated.

We got an email today saying they'll be watching CCTV to see who's going where and if anyone is seen letting someone else into their flat, it'll be notified to the police, we are also being told that we are putting everyone at risk if we break any rules and that if we do so we will be removed from our university for dangerous behaviour.

I'm so so angry I can't even put it into words, and I'm going to be doing deep research into human rights laws to see what they say, needless to say if I find an anomaly they WILL know about it.

Quite frankly, I feel like I'm in prison, just that I can leave, but only for certain reasons. Hate it here and frankly I can't wait until this **** is over with.

If anyone thinks this is really justified, I'm up for a very lengthy and very passionate argument, it's awful.

Does anyone here want to argue that this is not dystopian? Because I would very much argue that this is exactly what it is, and that if universities are allowed to get away with it, how long before this kind of treatment leaks further into society. Orwell will be spinning in his grave right now.

I'm just so shocked and angry for you right now. Would you mind if I shared your experience with my social network? This is the kind of thing more people need to know about.

That is absolutely disgusting I’m livid for you! Try and stay positive, socialise with your flatmates (hopefully you like them!) and concentrate on your course, there’s not much else you can do. It really is shameful by the university though....

I wouldn't say there is nothing they can do. I would make sure those box tickers there know exactly what they have done. I would be writing a strongly worded complaint to the university, the local MP & Police Chief, and the First Minister, with copies sent to all relevant newspapers and other media organisations. In it I would tell them exactly what it was doing to me mentally & physically. I'd also keep a day to day journal of events and emotions that I could refer back to, and use this to regularly update the aforementioned authorities and media. They might not be able to protest without fear of arrest, but there is nothing to stop the students making sure that everybody that is involved knows exactly the consequences of their actions, and make sure that it stays in the public view through the media. Some may try to ignore it, but the more students that articulate what is happening to them, the harder it will be. Sooner or later someone will sit up and take notice, and then those that didn't will pay the price for what they have done.

 

[DelayRepay]

It's a long time since I was at uni, but I do really feel for you. Outbreaks of Covid at universities were entirely predictable, and it is shocking that the response is to turn halls into prisons.

I read this article on the BBC, which says:

Meanwhile the Children and Young People's Commissioner Scotland has raised concerns about the "human rights implications" of the restrictions.

The article links to a Tweet. The link is broken but I think this is the Tweet they meant to link to:

We have seen reports about restrictions on students this evening. We are concerned about the human rights implications & will be seeking an urgent conversation with @scotgov and @uni_scot to establish the nature and legal basis for these restrictions.

I hope some good comes from the urgent conversation.

I am truly sorry for the awful situation students find themselves in. Especially since it comes just a couple of months after the A-level results fiasco which will have affected many of the same people.