Dear Royal Holloway,

We, the law students (and others who would support us), wish for a better response to the pandemic COVID-19. 

This morning (17th March 2020), our government upped the response to this deadly pandemic, and across the country, universities have switched to online teaching - and exams - weeks ago. 55,000 people in the UK are now suspected of having COVID-19. In Surrey alone, there are 25 cases. As of the 17th March 2020, Italy has over 2,000 deaths from COVID-19, even after going into lockdown. 

And yet.

At Royal Holloway, we still have no clarity over our exams where other universities have moved online and even switched to coursework instead. At Royal Holloway, we have no idea what's happening with our educational services outside of those the institution has to provide.

Newcastle, Aberdeen and Warwick have cancelled exams. UCL and Kings have also switched from traditional exams to alternative assessments. We have seen no such response.

We demand a better response to this pandemic:

Acknowledge how dangerous this virus is to our community at large.

Hold our end-of-year exams online, or preferably, switch to coursework instead.

Outline a clear strategy around exams, so our international students can stay or go in peace, without worrying about their exams and families.

University is a stressful time, and it's only been heightened by the inadequate response of our chosen institution. We live and work close to each other. Many more of us commute in and risk our local communities as well as Egham. Many of us know and come into contact with high-risk people. 

We MUST have a clear strategy. If you don't, you risk international students stranded on campus, away from families. If you don't, you risk an outbreak. If you don't, you risk the lives of every person - staff, students, the local community - who so much as looks in the direction of Royal Holloway.

Thank you for reading and signing our petition.