St Andrews University launches scheme to help students socialise

The number of students and staff who have tested positive for the virus has risen over the last week despite restrictions being introduced to help limit the numbers.

Having spent the last six months telling students what they can not do, the university has launched a new scheme which encourages students to interact in a safe way.

The project will support student societies and clubs to develop Covid-safe activities and socialising, and include the provision of a large, heated and safely ventilated marquee at the heart of the university in central St Andrews to host the societies and other student and staff groups.

Alongside this programme the university will provide a ‘Can Do’ guide – a simple guide for students and staff about what you can do under the current (changing) guidance; an activities programme, providing examples of the types of the co-curricular and extra-curricular activities staff and students can do within the tolerances of guidance; and a ‘Can Do’ helpdesk, giving consistent advice via the Covid helpdesk to staff and students who want to organise activities.

The university has also made other changes to support students, including doing away with the requirement for students to give 28 days’ notice if they want to end their accommodation contracts, and extending the period in which students can make their mind up about St Andrews without being liable for any course fees, from four weeks to 10 weeks.

In a letter to students, which set out the changes, principal professor Sally Mapstone wrote: “Thank you for the way you have again responded to our request over the weekend to help reduce the risk to our community from Covid-19.

“The vast majority of you have behaved in an exemplary way, and what you have done over this weekend, and last, will have made a very significant difference to our efforts to control the spread of coronavirus here. Thank you on behalf of everyone at St Andrews, and all those with whom we share this town.

“You are not to blame for the current crisis. Our students are an asset to the university, this country and society more broadly.”

The changes have been welcomed by MSP Willie Rennie, who said: “This is a generous and sensible position from St Andrews.

“While some universities may feel able to make offers like this, there are no guarantees that other institutions are in the same boat.

“Students need an approach that is consistent and comprehensive. They should not have to rely on individual universities acting unilaterally. Ultimately the Scottish Government need to step up and support all further education institutions to do the right thing.”