Many students are left feeling disappointed in light of the recent government announcement that students cannot return to university until 17 May, as for many, teaching will have finished by then.
First year History and Politics student, at the University of Sheffield, Jake Dannat described the announcement as a “completely pointless move from the government”.
He said: “My last day of teaching is before then so what actual benefit is it going to have other than making the government look good for advancing with easing restrictions?”
In a written statement to students, the University of Sheffield’s Vice Chancellor, Koen Lamberts said:
“I understand that you may feel disappointed by this news, and I share your frustration.
“With many sectors of the economy beginning to reopen this week, we had hoped that the government would allow us to welcome more students back to campus for in-person teaching.”
A joint letter was sent to Regional MPs at the beginning of April from Vice-Chancellor Professor Koen Lamberts and Sheffield Students’ Union President Beth Eyre, in which they encouraged people to write to their MPs, urging the government to clarify when students would be able to return to campus.
However, SU president, Beth Eyre said that the government announcement “is a half baked attempt at keeping us quiet” because it provides very little clarity about what it means for students who only have a few weeks left of the semester. She said there is little consideration of the detrimental effects that delaying a return to campus will have.
She added: “This government has forgotten students at every turn during this pandemic.
“We are tired of them treating students as an afterthought, but will continue to fight hard for the rent refunds and tuition fee compensation that students deserve from this government.”
In a written statement, Universities Minister, Michelle Donelan said that this decision “has not been taken lightly” and insisted that “the government roadmap is designed to maintain a cautious approach”.
Donelan announced that the government is making available a further £15 million for providers to address student hardship this academic year, in addition to the £70 million already distributed to providers via the OfS this academic year.
Sheffield Students’ Union Education Officer, Ellie Lynas has criticised the government for their lack of understanding of the Higher Education landscape due to the fact that there is very little teaching left after 17 May.
Lynas said to Forge Press: “If all students cannot return to campus until 17 May at the earliest then they deserve proper compensation from this government not only for the impact it has on their studies, but also for the continued impact it’s having on their mental health and finances.
“We’ll continue to fight for the protections and support students deserve. In particular, I’ll be working with the university to make sure that students have adequate academic protections in place for the next round of assessments.”
A spokesperson for the University of Sheffield said: “We are reviewing what the government announcement will mean for teaching and student travel to Sheffield if all students are able to return on 17 May and will share further details with students in due course.”
