FEATURES
Wednesday October 7, 2020
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FEATURES TEAM MIA ALGHALI AMELIA KELLY
NTS RETURN AFTER COVID nightmare YORK COUNCIL’S plea for students to “take personal responsibility” A PLEA FOR students at the University of York to “take personal responsibility”, “keep people safe”, and “reduce the risk of death” has been issued to York Vision from the Director of Public Health at York City Council, Sharon Stoltz, as our firt term gets underway. They said: “There has been considerable effort by people across the city to contain the spread of the virus and we’d like to encourage you to help keep yourselves and the other people in your local community safe by taking personal responsibility. Whist COVID-19 is a virus that is more impactful on those who have underlying health conditions and who are older, your part in help-
ing to keep those people and yourselves safe is expected.” While they say this in itself is “fairly simple”, if you do need to get tested, it can be difficult to get a test at the University, and you need access to a car to reach the next nearest testing site in Poppleton. Students therefore will have to rely on home testing kits, which can be posted at request. “We realise that we are asking you to make some changes to how you live and socialise and want to thank you in advance for doing what you can to keep people safe and to reduce the risk of death from Covid-19. Even when out in pubs or clubs, you still need to maintain social distance from those you don’t live with.”
IMAGE: IWAN STONE
CHARLIE JEFFERY, the UoY Vice Chancellor, addresses new students FIRSTLY, LET ME say hello and a warm welcome to both our new starters and those resuming their studies at the University of York. As I write this, term has just started, new friendships are being formed and courses are underway. It goes without saying this new term will be like no other. The situation we have all found ourselves in during this global pandemic means we are all living our lives in ways that are far from normal. But I am sure this will, nonetheless, be a stimulating, rewarding and enjoyable year. The experience you have as students is at the heart of everything we do, but we all have our part to play, individually and collectively, to make this term a success. We have been preparing for the start of term in detail for months, implementing and, at times, going beyond government guidance. We are determined to deliver teaching that is as safe as possible. That has meant moving some of our learning to a digital space in order to allow for social distancing in our physical classrooms and labs. Our digital learning is being led by the same world-class academic experts as our on-campus classes students will still have opportunities to share ideas and participate in intellectually challenging discus-
sions with their peers, just as they would in the physical classroom. While some social activities are online, we’ve constructed covered areas across campus, to give students opportunities for recreational activity in a safe environment – we’d rather you socialise in those managed settings than elsewhere. We know from experience in the US, and in recent weeks in the UK, that COVID transmission on campus has been driven by activity in student social settings, not teaching settings. My message to you is very clear: if we do not all play our part and follow the guidelines, there is a risk that COVID rates will rise and restrictions could be increased. This could then impact on elements of your experience, such as the amount of face-to-face teaching we can deliver, sport, campusbased events, and socialising. We know the vast majority of our students are responsible, supportive, and are playing their part. This is a central theme in our “Stay smart, supportive and safe” campaign, our online induction module for students, and our new COVID-19 Charter, so that everyone understands and appreciates the importance of working together to keep each other safe. But we are also working with our student unions to ensure that
students are aware of the consequences within the University and in law - including penalties, such as police fines - of not following COVID restrictions. As you may know, we have a new walk-in COVID testing facility - available on an appointment-only basis, and this forms an important part of our efforts to minimise the spread of COVID-19. We know that some students will need to self-isolate in the coming weeks, either because they have COVID symptoms and are awaiting a test, or have tested positive themselves or someone in their household has. We recognise this will be an additional challenge, and have put arrangements in place for those self-isolating to make sure they can get essential provisions and support. Self-isolation is a communityspirited act intended to safeguard others, not a punishment, and we are committed to taking a supportive and compassionate approach. Finally, I want to thank you for your patience and tolerance. By working together to ensure that we comply with the new restrictions, we are well-placed to do all that we can to make sure York remains a safe place to live, study, and enjoy.
MIA ALGHALI and IWAN STONE talk to York’s Refugee charities on why our support is more valuable than ever WHEN DID YOU last hear about the refugee crisis? I’m not talking about panicked headlines of migrants at Dover or journalists filming sinking ships, but when did we last talk about what we can do to aid refugees, fleeing to a life they hope will be more bearable? This has been a severe problem for Student Action for Refugees (STAR) and White Rose Refugee Aid – two of the campus’ leading charitable organisations to aid migrants. The former fundraises in order to support the education of refugees at York, covering six students last year, while White Rose favours more direct action, organising student trips to volunteer in resource redistribution centres and food banks. “Finances are being diverted from international aid to more national efforts due
to Coronavirus,” says co-founder Kaitlyn Barnes, who, alongside Morrison Wilson, created White Rose having worked together in a Calais community kitchen in 2019. The COVID crisis “is affecting refugees both directly and indirectly,” adds Morrison. “They are not receiving any support from volunteers. You cannot socially distance in a refugee camp. It’s hitting these places very hard.” This was concurred by Anna Rousso, the co-president of UoY STAR. “Refugees have no access to tests and no money for testing, and with volunteers unable to work as closely with the refugees as they once were preCOVID, things are getting worse”. This has particularly been the case as it coincides with Brexit – a changing attitude that is “making refugees’ ability to enter the UK harder and harder”. This is added to by an unlikely conse-
quence of the pandemic: Morrison describes how “a lot of refugee distribution centres rely heavily on tents that people leave behind at events such as Glastonbury”. With the cancellation of music events and festivals, Kaitlyn says that: “there is a very pressing need for tents for refugees. As it gets colder and colder in the winter months, they’ll be needed. Tents are also vital for social distancing within the camps as often refugees are crammed together in tight unsanitary spaces. It is mind blowing to think about how many issues arise from not having adequate shelter.” Battling miseducation and the inability to “directly communicate” with students as a result of the pandemic, Anna concedes that the new form of fundraising has been “really hard”. However, she remains adamant that STAR will continue to help refugees, whether
through smaller events or online. Morrison and Kaitlyn are looking into similar alternatives, having held virtual quiz nights and discussions to mark World Refugee Day, highlighting the “personal, emotional and social aspect of being a refugee”. They are currently looking into the possibility of sourcing speakers, particularly on the topic of child refugees. “Students looking out for students should be a thing,” Anna asserts. “The fact that we have houses to quarantine in and have masks and access to healthcare and hand sanitisers should remind us of those who do not. We are privileged to have these things. We have to protect others. It is really important.” Mia Alghali’s interviews with STAR and White Rose Refugee Aid can be found in full at www.yorkvision.co.uk