The Badger Ninth Edition (1/03/2021)

Page 1

BADGER ·

thebadgeronline.com

·

1st March 2021

THE

Official free fortnightly newspaper by and for Sussex students · Printed on recycled paper

University return uncertain for most after COVID roadmap anouncement

Jake Nordland News Sub-Editor

The return of most university students to campuses and inperson teaching has been left uncertain after the government’s 22 February announcement on the easing of lockdown restrictions in England. The government announced that most university students cannot yet come back, and will have to wait for a review to be conducted “by the end of the Easter holidays” into options on the timing of their return. But universities can allow students on practical-based courses to return to face-toface teaching from 8 March, with twice weekly testing available on campuses for any students that do return. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in his speech to the House of Commons that “students on university courses requiring practical teaching, specialist facilities or onsite assessments” would qualify for an 8 March return. “But all others will need to continue learning online, and we will review the options for when they can return by the end of the Easter Holidays”, he continued. A government statement says the review will “take account of the latest data” and will be part of a wider road-

map for the further easing of restrictions, with students given a week’s notice ahead of the return. In a university-wide email update from Student Communications, Sussex announced that in-person activity could resume from 8 march for “certain courses with practical elements” within the following schools: Life Sciences, Engineering and Informatics, and Media Arts & Humanities. The email warned students not to return to campus unless they were contacted directly by their School and permitted to return. Students are currently only allowed to return to university accommodation in ‘exceptional situations’ that would be improved by moving back, including health or safety reasons or a lack of access to appropriate accommodation, facilities, or study spaces. Asked for comment on which specific courses within these schools could resume, a university spokesperson said: “Schools are adhering to the government’s latest advice to Universities in terms of which courses may resume in-person teaching and learning from the 8 March, in addition to the existing in-person teaching in BSMS and Education and So-

News

Lockdown lifting & Society fundraising 3

Comment

Pandemic puppies & Free speech champions? 9

Features

Number 10 cial Work.” “This advice states that the government is ‘now advising providers [Universities] that they can resume in-person teaching and learning for students who are studying practical or practice-based (including creative arts) subjects and require specialist equipment and facilities from 8 March’.” The spokesperson did not comment when asked who had the power to determine which courses counted as practical and could therefore qualify for a return. An email to students in the Media Arts & Humanities School, seen by The Badger, revealed that in-person teaching for practical courses would focus on “provision of facilities/equipment, facilitation of project work, and small groups

Ezzy Bones 22-23

doing independent learning, with lectures and seminars generally continuing online”. It added that “for most students, and I know this is disappointing, there is no change at this point. We would ask you to remain where you are currently in residence, unless there are particular wellbeing reasons for relocating”. The announcements from the government and the university were met with anger by some at Sussex over their lack of clarity. The Badger spoke to Karoline, a 1st year History student, who said: “I understand why [we can’t go back] but it’s still kinda disappointing. I’m a first year and I’ve met no one but my f lat at uni so I feel disconnected a bit from the uni - I don’t feel a part of it”. Continued on page 3...

Microsoft insight & Elephant in the Zoom 13

Arts

Theatre testing & New artists and the pandemic 17

Travel & Culture Wellness tourism & Icelandic adventures 26

Science & Tech

Folklore fiction? & Vitamin D in the pandemic 29

Sports

Antarctic quest & Pistol shooting success 31


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.