Hopes of returning to campus dashed for Wolverhampton university students

Despite hopes that students across the country would be able to get back on campus sooner, many students will now not be able to return to campus to finish their studies.

The Department for Education (DfE) expects all remaining students to be able to return to in-person teaching on campus when further easing of restrictions on social contact indoors is confirmed, which will be no earlier than May 17.

Progression to the next stage of the road map will be dependent on a review of the latest data and the impact of other restrictions being eased this month.

Professor Julia Clarke, deputy vice chancellor at University of Wolverhampton, said: “Our priority throughout the pandemic has been to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our students, staff and wider communities.

“During the latest lockdown, we have continued to provide practical, on campus teaching to students on critical care courses, such as nursing.

"Since 8 March, in line with government guidance, we have also had students studying practical and creative higher education courses on campus, these are students who would be unable to complete their course if they had not returned to access specialist facilities.

"We had hoped to welcome our remaining students back to campus sooner than May 17 which has been announced as the earliest date by which students can return.

"And we know it will be incredibly disappointing for some of our students that they will now be finishing this academic year without teaching on campus.

"We will continue to provide the best quality online teaching that we can to our students and to support them through the challenges they are facing."

Although not all students are able to return to campus for lectures, University of Wolverhampton's libraries are open for students who do not have an appropriate study space or PC at home.

Professor Clarke added: "Throughout the pandemic we have provided a range of support for our students in managing their mental health and well-being, financial support through the University’s Dennis Turner Hardship Fund and introduced a laptop loan scheme.

“I would like to thank our students and staff, many of whom have had to deal with significant challenges, for the ways in which they have worked so well as a community during the pandemic.

"Looking forward to next academic year, we very much hope to be celebrating our students’ resilience and success in graduation ceremonies from September onwards and welcoming our new and continuing students to our campuses in Wolverhampton, Walsall and Telford."