Who decides on sending university students home – government or universities?
As the academic year begins, students in the UK are facing a semester like no other, with learning moved mostly online and parties and nights out outlawed due to Covid-19 regulations. Labour has said the government must consider delaying the start of the autumn term until mass on-campus Covid-19 testing or remote learning options are available, after thousands of students in Glasgow, Manchester and Edinburgh were ordered to self-isolate following outbreaks linked to freshers’ week.
Health secretary Matt Hancock also recently refused to rule out banning students from coming home for Christmas.
Against this backdrop, research from Dynata, the world’s largest first-party data and insight platform, shows that Brits place more faith in Vice Chancellors than they do the government when it comes to sending students home due to Covid-19 outbreaks.
Dynata polled 1,000 people in the UK in the week of September 21 to uncover feelings towards universities during the pandemic.
Who should have the final decision when it comes sending students home due to Covid-19 outbreaks or second waves?
|
University Vice Chancellors |
49% |
|
National government officials |
30% |
|
Local government officials |
25% |
|
Parents |
17% |
|
Students themselves |
13% |
|
Don’t know |
13% |
The poll found that University Vice Chancellors were the public’s most trusted decision makers when it comes to sending students home as a result of Covid-19 outbreaks, with 49% saying they should have the final decision. National government trailed Vice Chancellors by 19%, and students were at the bottom of people’s priorities, on 13%.
In your opinion, how many students testing positive for Covid-19 warrants a full College or University closure?
|
1 to 9 |
15% |
|
10 to 99 |
29% |
|
100 to 999 |
16% |
|
1,000+ |
5% |
|
Not sure |
35% |
Meanwhile, over a quarter of those polled say that universities should shut down fully if between 10 and 99 students test positive for Covid-19, with 15% saying nine cases should be enough to merit closure.
How would you rate the job that Colleges and Universities are doing in keeping the following safe? – Excellent/Very Good
|
Students |
22% |
|
Staff |
28% |
|
Surrounding communities |
23% |
|
Families of students and staff |
25% |
Lastly, just 22% people feel that universities are doing an excellent/very good job in keeping students safe, while staff are perceived to be in the best position with 28%.
Responses