University Face Down?

 

The Universities and College Union (UCU) appears very uneasy about the plan to re-open UK Universities to face-to-face teaching this September, regarding this as being 'premature' (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/29/uk-university-reopenings-risk-covid-public-health-crisis-teaching-union-warns). They point out, for a start, that this will mean moving about a million students (not to mention, in many cases, their parents) around the country (as well as, in some cases, from country to country). This, they feel, is likely to spread infections of the Covid-19 pandemic more widely than has hitherto been the case. It is also true that young people (not to mention mature students) are probably more at risk, when getting this viral infection, than are the majority of schoolchildren. The UCU's members (academics) and university ancillary staff (administrators, gardeners, caterers, cleaners, technicians, post-graduates et cetera) also cover a wide age range with variations in risk factors. It is also true that students have a tendency to congregate in large numbers in halls of residence, social events (like the Bullingdon Club), for sports-related activities et cetera. Face-to-face teaching, practical sessions and fieldwork are all major challenges to social distancing.  One should add to the mix that intelligent, young people are going through the time of life (I remember it dimly) when they feel immortal and want to enjoy life. Having said all that, I am personally aware that universities are trying their best to make any return as safe as possible by a) training staff; b) encouraging social spacing and hand washing/sanitising; c) marking off one-way systems in buildings; d) making the wearing of face-masks mandatory, especially when moving around campus and e) doing things 'outside' when this is practicable (this will be more difficult as winter approaches). The return will be a major challenge and, given its scope, there are likely to be local problems. Let's hope that they are relatively few.