I'm not sure "disgusting" is the right word but the problem is that the whole university system is such a massive "business" for the UK now and the students have been used as "guinea pigs" by the Government and all the vested financial interests. As well as the University Halls (that the majority of students don't stay in for more than their first year anyway), there are probably a few hundred thousand "private landlords" - either individuals trying to make some "easy" cash or often large companies with lots of investors. For example, I have 2 friends who invest (via a company) in student housing. None of the day to day hassle but around 6% return I think (where else can you get that nowadays?). I have two of my children at uni now - second and third year. In both cases they had to sign up in January (to a legally binding contract you can't get any refunds on btw) for their accommodation to run from this September until next July/August. That's being locked in for 18 months in advance. In my day, I turned up at Uni the week before starting each year to get accommodation and you paid per term. No other liabilities. One year I lived in 3 different places. No problem.
Plus there are all the builders, plumbers, electricians, cleaners etc directly working maintaining these buildings. Then there are all the other businesses in university towns and cities who only make money when the students are there - not just food outlets and drinking establishments - everything from barbers to tattoo parlours. In some places the population more than doubles when the students are back. Economically, the country "needed" the students to come back to uni.
The universities also knew that to not allow these young people into Halls etc would mean that a large percentage of First Years would decide to defer to next year...and many Second and Third Year students might decide to give up. Financial disaster for the universities, especially with the lack of overseas students. So the Government decided to take a chance and the students are largely victims of the system.
My two lads have both already said that "it's nothing like last year". This is time and missed experiences they will never get back. But, like hundreds of thousands of other students, both they (and us) are still paying for full whack for their University course and experience - regardless of how good either are.
I know there will be many other parents on here in a similar situation.
"Send them back home!" some people say. These are not little kids. In many cases, the students don't want to go home - and neither do the parents particularly want them home sometimes. And of course, they will still be paying £9000 a year to do an online course. Who on here would choose to do that??
The Government put students in this situation. It hasn't worked out as the Government hoped - and they need to manage the consequences of their decision (imho)
news.sky.com
