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Universities watchdog warns against punishing students with 'heavy-handed sanctions' amid backlash over campus lockdowns

Universities
Universities

Universities should be providing students with support rather than handing down “heavy-handed sanctions”, the head of the higher education watchdog has said as he fired a warning shot over campus lockdowns.

Writing for The Telegraph, Sir Michael Barber, the chairman of the Office for Students, says that “students must feel looked after” amid concerns that some self-isolating are being kept in the dark and are struggling to obtain basic supplies.

With some institutions threatening to fine students up to £800 if they break covid-19 rules, Sir Michael suggests their first priority should be on “doing right by their students” rather than to “punish them.”

He adds that students forced to quarantine in university halls should be given clear and regular guidance on how they can obtain food, as well as how they can get tested and any changes to their courses.

As a growing number of universities switch to online-only learning, Sir Michael warns that “expecting students to rely only on old lectures posted online is not good enough.”

His intervention comes just days after the OfS warned vice chancellors they could be forced to issue partial refunds and face regulatory action if they fail to uphold standards during the pandemic.

Across the country, more than 4,000 students are currently self-isolating in halls across 52 universities, with Boris Johnson now facing calls to suspend face-to-face teaching altogether.

Last month, Bristol University said it would issue fines of £800 for those who break its guidelines, while a college at Cambridge University has warned it could abruptly kick students out of their accommodation in the event of an outbreak.

At Manchester Metropolitan University, where 1,700 students are self-isolating after 127 tested positive for covid-19, university bosses were also forced to apologise for ordering students to remove posters criticising the draconian measures.

The widespread disruption to courses has prompted calls from MPs for students to receive discounts on their £9,250-a-year tuition fees.

On Wednesday Sir Keir Starmer suggested that moving courses online was a “sensible step” to help slow the spread of the virus on university campuses.

However, his spokesman refused to say whether students should be handed refunds, stating only that Labour’s “immediate priority is making sure they get the best education they can right now."

While insisting that it is right for universities to “remain open for business”, Sir Michael writes that the “severe restrictions on day-to-day life" are “exceptionally hard” and require students to be treated properly.

He adds that although students have a responsibility to comply with safety measures, “they must feel that their university is there to help them make the best possible start to the academic year, not punish them.”

Should students receive university refunds
Should students receive university refunds

“Throughout all this, universities should be careful to prioritise pastoral – and mental health – support and signposting over heavy-handed sanctions,” he continues.

“Students in university accommodation who have been asked to self-isolate should receive clear and regular updates on how their basic needs around food and supplies will be met, how their course will be delivered, where they can get tested and specific contact details of where they can go for support.

“These updates should come several times a day where events are changing rapidly.”

On teaching arrangements, he says that students working remotely must have access to the right equipment, such as laptops, and a good internet connection, as well as being trained in how to use the library and other digital resources.

Should universities fail to uphold standards, Sir Michael says the OfS will take regulatory action, with a number of institutions already subject to investigations due to concerns that their “teaching arrangements have not been adequate.”