We have been made aware that the University of Chester has decided that ‘blended learning’ (a mix of online and in-person teaching) is the long-term strategy for the future of teaching, and that in-person content will only be delivered where absolutely necessary.  Current students were not adequately consulted about strategic plans to continue restricting in-person teaching at Chester in this way.  On 30th July the University released course outlines for 2021/22 that comprise just 25% in-person lectures, with 75% to be delivered online in the Autumn term.  We need the University to return to full in-person teaching by 1st November at the latest (Reading Week).

It is ridiculous to restrict in-person teaching, considering the freedoms allowed in other parts of society, including: pubs, clubs and the entertainment industry; pub quizzes, pool parties and other indoor activities planned for Chester Fresher’s Week; and plans for primary and secondary schools to return to full face-to-face teaching from September.  The University’s approach also conflicts with research cited by Universities UK indicating that “there is minimal evidence of Covid-19 transmission in face-to-face learning environments at universities, such as classrooms”.

We agree with the findings of The Higher Education Policy Institute student experience survey (HEPI survey), published 24 June 2021, which overwhelmingly and unequivocally reported that students do not consider online learning an adequate substitute for in-person lectures.  We agree with Universities UK about the importance of “in-person support from tutors and friends”, and that universities have effective management strategies on campuses, “with minimal infection rates in face-to-face teaching settings”.  We agree with politicians across the political spectrum that universities should return to in-person lectures.  Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, contends that “high quality teaching experience [involves] actually doing face-to-face lectures”, and that universities have the “flexibility and ability to offer face-to-face lectures”.  And, as Labour’s Shadow School’s Minister, Peter Kyle, commented: if “pubs and restaurants were open”, then universities should have “seminars inside again”.

We expect a return to in-person teaching to include safeguarding arrangements for students and staff at heightened risk from Covid-19, just as the University has always supported people with a wide range of vulnerabilities.  But the University cannot ignore ONS and HEPI survey findings that almost two-thirds of students experienced a decline in their mental health during the last academic year due to the relative isolation of learning online.  In-person teaching must be reinstated to avoid compounding the student mental health pandemic.

We recognise the exceptional work of staff last year in extraordinary circumstances, moving quickly to online teaching in response to national lockdowns.  But students’ learning experience is likely to be negatively impacted by continuing to restrict in-person teaching from September 2021 onwards.  In particular, students in their final year of undergraduate study have now experienced two years of disadvantage and disruption – most notably, lack of in-person academic engagement with their lecturers and peers.  It is unreasonable for the University to expect this cohort of final year students to accept another year of restrictions to in-person teaching, while at the same time offering pool parties and in-person social events aimed at first year students in Fresher’s Week.  Furthermore, we have been made aware there are currently no plans to offer the ‘Safety Net’ afforded to final year students in 2020 and 2021. The University needs to recognise the cumulative negative impact for this year’s cohort, of both restricting in-person teaching in their final year, and loss of the ‘Safety Net’, on top of two disadvantaged years due to Covid.

The University is rightly proud to be voted the “highest performing HE institution in the North West for listening to the Student Voice” in 2020. We need the University to listen now. We welcome dialogue on this issue, but our aims are clear: there needs to be a complete return to in-person teaching for students at the University of Chester from the start of the 2021 academic year – by Reading Week on 1st November at the latest.  There is not much time; the University must act immediately to retain the good will of its students.

#EndTheChesterBlend
#ReclaimOurUniversity