Government’s Christmas travel plans for students “sprung upon” universities, says Yorkshire higher education leader

Universities in England have been told to set staggered departure dates during a “travel window” between December 3 and December 9 so students can return home after the four-week lockdown, while minimising the risk of them spreading Covid-19.

Institutes have been encouraged to offer rapid result Covid tests and end in-person teaching by December 9 so students have enough time to self-isolate before returning home for Christmas.

If a student tests positive for Covid-19 on or before this date, they must self-isolate at university for a period of 10 days, according to the Department for Education (DfE).

Professor Shirley Congdon, the chair of the charity Yorkshire Universities – a group representing 12 institutions in the region – has said more advanced notice should have been given to university leaders, instead of finding out the Government’s plan of action on the same day students did.

Professor Congdon said: “Students heard it at the same time we did and the expectation of students is raised and then we have to manage that very very carefully...The more advance notice we have the more we can work with our students to manage expectations and put in place effective solutions.

“More collaboration and joint working is the best way to get the best solution and at times some of these things have been sprung upon universities without enough time to implement the actions in the best way possible.”

The University and College Union (UCU) has said the Government’s plans are “riddled with holes” and they warned that the tight timescale for a mass movement of students “left little room for error.”

The DfE said Covid-19 tests will be offered to as many students as possible before they travel, with the distribution set to begin at the end of November, and universities in areas with higher rates of the disease will be prioritised, but academics have warned that a roll out of mass testing will be a “massive undertaking”.

Prof Congdon, who is also the Vice-Chancellor for the University of Bradford, added more "clarity" was needed.

She said: “There are a number of issues we would like further clarity on... what if the students can’t be tested because the availability isn't there - and what do they do?

"Are they expected to then, isolate for a period of 10 days and then they are able to return home? That actually is not clear.

“There is also the issue of how you manage the logistics of supporting students to return home to where ever they live.

"For us - the majority of the students are from Yorkshire and parts of the North - the thing is about not saturating transport systems and not having all the students together, travelling home."

Prof Congdon confirmed Yorkshire Universities will meet next week with all leaders of local authorities across the region to discuss any issues that may arise with the movement of hundreds of thousands of students - including any added pressures on transport systems.

She added any students who test positive and can’t travel in the designated “travel window” between December 3 and December 9, must adhere to the guidance and self isolate.

Prof Congdon said: "We don’t blame the students - I know a lot of students think that fingers are being pointed at them for spreading the disease - and that is not at all the case.

"The evidence suggests it isn't the students that have been transmitting this and they need to remain positive and act as amazing role models for students that are following them in future years. These really are unprecedented times that they are studying through."

Universities Minister Michelle Donelan said: "We know this Christmas will feel different, and after this incredibly difficult year we are absolutely committed to getting students back to their loved ones in time for the Christmas break.

"With the national lockdown measures, staggered leave times, safer travel guidance and any additional assurances from testing, we are confident transmission can be controlled, and we can enable these students to have the Christmas break they deserve."

Yorkshire university reaction

In North Yorkshire a spokesperson, for the University of York, said: "Supporting our students and helping those who want to get home for Christmas remains a priority.

"We are applying to be part of the mass testing scheme and anticipate a response by the end of the week.

"We are sharing guidance with students about how this news might influence their plans to return home and where they need to go to ask questions and seek further support.

"We anticipate higher numbers of students may remain on campus this year due to travel restrictions in other parts of the world, study commitments, and other financial considerations, and comprehensive plans are in place to support those students who remain in York.”

While Professor Karen Bryan, Vice Chancellor of York St John University: "We welcome confirmation of the government’s end-of-term plans for English universities and have shared this guidance with our students.

"To support arrangements to travel home for the holiday period, York St John University will enable students to continue their studies online from 9 December until the end of term on 11 December.

"We appreciate the considerable uncertainty our students have faced in relation to end-of-term plans and thank them for continuing to follow government guidance and comply with restrictions resulting from the pandemic. As is the case every year, some students will remain in university accommodation over the holiday period and we will ensure that they can access enhanced support."

Meanwhile in South Yorkshire a spokesperson from the University of Sheffield, said: “We know that it is incredibly important to our students that they are able to go home for the Christmas break and are looking into how to do this safely, working with local public health teams and our own academic experts.

"Alongside others in the sector we are engaging with the government around proposals to offer testing to students in order to help facilitate their safe travel at Christmas, but are still working through the details. We will keep our students and staff informed of any decisions.

"For any students who choose to remain in Sheffield over the holiday period, our welfare and usual on-campus services will continue to provide support.

And a spokesperson, for Sheffield Hallam University, said: "We understand the importance for students to be able to travel home to spend Christmas with their loved ones.

"We will be working through the detailed guidance on mass testing as soon as we receive it from Government, in order to understand its precise implications and to put our own plans in place to support our students.

"Our priority remains the safety and wellbeing of our students, staff and wider community and we will continue to work closely with the public health team at Sheffield City Council and the University of Sheffield to ensure all students have the information and support they need."

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