Students should get refund from Uni`s during Covid

[r00fie1]

An article on the BBC highlights students, paying 9K+ per year, who have been told this term will be online.
Some have paid for their accomodation in advance [in the article one student had paid 3K for the term].
Given the exorbitant fees charged by Universities, when students are told a term is online - they should get a refund. Online courses are cheaper. Even if this scenario is temporary, its cheaper and easier for Universities to present all the information online and deliver lectures and group sessions accordingly.
It appalls me that youngsters should be saddled with debt for the benefit of future employers - who reap the benefits of a students sacrifice.
Equally - landlords make millions out of students across the country - and many students report landlords unwillingness to consider retainers or refunds.
I`m glad that I didnt have to pay to go to University -like many, my income tax has more than repaid the states investment in me over the years

BBC:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-54025181

btw: I went to "Teesside Poly" - but dont tell anyone

 

[weemoby]

"Online courses are cheaper. Even if this scenario is temporary, its cheaper and easier for Universities to present all the information online and deliver lectures and group sessions accordingly."
I'm not trolling here Roofie, but how is this the case? Surely the outlay to the university is the wages of the teaching staff and this expense is the same whether the classes are run online or face to face. So how can online classes be 'cheaper'?

 

[American_Mary]

"Online courses are cheaper. Even if this scenario is temporary, its cheaper and easier for Universities to present all the information online and deliver lectures and group sessions accordingly."
I'm not trolling here Roofie, but how is this the case? Surely the outlay to the university is the wages of the teaching staff and this expense is the same whether the classes are run online or face to face. So how can online classes be 'cheaper'?

The reduction of costs will be on auxiliary staff like cleaners, canteen workers, building maintenance etc so whilst it’s true the educational side will retain most of its outlay the university itself will have a reduction of expenditure

 

[The_Lizards_Jumpers]

"Online courses are cheaper. Even if this scenario is temporary, its cheaper and easier for Universities to present all the information online and deliver lectures and group sessions accordingly."
I'm not trolling here Roofie, but how is this the case? Surely the outlay to the university is the wages of the teaching staff and this expense is the same whether the classes are run online or face to face. So how can online classes be 'cheaper'?

Plus they still have to pay for the physical buildings they already have, no the negligible reduction in costs could be around heating . lighting etc ?

Perhaps he means online classes are typically cheaper (for the consumer) and so therefore the university should change their fees to reflect they're offering a different service, that can be had elsewhere for lower than they're currently charging?

 

[r00fie1]

"Online courses are cheaper. Even if this scenario is temporary, its cheaper and easier for Universities to present all the information online and deliver lectures and group sessions accordingly."
I'm not trolling here Roofie, but how is this the case? Surely the outlay to the university is the wages of the teaching staff and this expense is the same whether the classes are run online or face to face. So how can online classes be 'cheaper'?

Morning.
Online courses rely on the existing database of material required for each module.
Lectures can be pre-recorded [like the Open University] and students sit by their laptops during interactive sessions.
Many staff have become used to reapplying for their jobs on an annual basis - as Universities are now private companies. A major issue for the University College Union is the hire and fire policy of higher education institutions like Universities.
Even Academic Heads, Professors and Doctors are frequently employed on a 9 - 12 month contract.
If you go to the University of Teesside website, it gives more details of what online courses entail.
If you compare their cost to attendance courses you will see a considerable difference in fees.
https://www.tees.ac.uk/sections/onlinelearning/

 

[Duffman]

Paying 9 1/2k fees and £550 per month for a room in a house for my daughter who has been told she will have all classes delivered on line until March. A minimum number of essential of practicles will be delivered in small bubbles on campus. Seems an inferior offer to me on par with the Open University. How much do they charge?

 

[RedAsABeetroot]

"Online courses are cheaper. Even if this scenario is temporary, its cheaper and easier for Universities to present all the information online and deliver lectures and group sessions accordingly."
I'm not trolling here Roofie, but how is this the case? So how can online classes be 'cheaper'?

No need to heat, cool or light lectures rooms, reduced support staff due to less people on campus and locked/closed buildings

 

[Holgatewall]

Unis have been gearing up for e teaching for a couple of years now.This has kind of forced their hand.

Most lectures are recorded now and can be viewed by the students via Blackboard.

 

[Fearless Fish]

No money brought in via the multitude of cafes/eateries on site. Less money brought in through accommodation maybe (or no money if students do get a refund). Having to fork out hundreds of thousands and kit and solutions to enable remote teaching. Teesside have already said they are incredibly difficult times - Universities have had £0 support from the government through coronavirus and TU have already had a raft of VS including positions which VS would normally be rejected as the position deemed essential.

 

[r00fie1]

Paying 9 1/2k fees and £550 per month for a room in a house for my daughter who has been told she will have all classes delivered on line until March. A minimum number of essential of practicles will be delivered in small bubbles on campus. Seems an inferior offer to me on par with the Open University. How much do they charge?

Just an example:
A BA Politics and History Degree online is 18,576 GBP`s over three years by Distance Learning. That is approximately 2/3 rds the cost of the equivalent standard University Course.
http://www.open.ac.uk/courses/politics/degrees/ba-history-politics-q97#fees-and-funding
Alternatively - students can pay-per-module and decide the pace at which they study. It depends on individual circumstances.
It is still prohibitive, especially if people have rent / mortgages / family comittments / etc.
Unfortunately, higher skills training and education are dependent on how much debt you are prepared to acrue before you receive your qualification.

Just envisage a mortgage lender allowing you to be almost 30K in arrears, before you started paying the mortgage?!
Thats wherev our young people are before they earn a penny: the Student Loan company os owed millions, which will never be repaid. The Department of Education has recognised this, but the whole system will fall down before anything is done to restructure Higher Education. Its not a luxury - its an investment in our future.
Disgraceful.

 

[r00fie1]

No need to heat, cool or light lectures rooms, reduced support staff due to less people on campus and locked/closed buildings

The problem for Uni`s is the huge amount of mortgage comittments they have on new buildings; just look at Teesside. It has expanded at a rapid pace, dependent on a minimal level of students - but covid may put a halt to that.

 

[Angelmatty]

Paying 9 1/2k fees and £550 per month for a room in a house for my daughter who has been told she will have all classes delivered on line until March. A minimum number of essential of practicles will be delivered in small bubbles on campus. Seems an inferior offer to me on par with the Open University. How much do they charge?

If they do OU
They only get fees no loan so they need to get a job also

 

[r00fie1]

If you are 60+ you cant access Student Loans and there is virtually no sources of funding - so that means you are on the learning scrap heap!

 

[Frozen Horse]

I think it is mainly the Russell Group universities who are only delivering online. Mine is planning on delivering half and half face to face and online.

However, class sizes have been halved to maintain social distancing; this means these sessions are delivered twice. Include the online delivery, and the teaching demand has increased.

As for gearing up for online delivery, I think this has been a watershed in how courses deliver, but if I thought all material was going to be delivered online, I wouldn't think this is the career for me. From what I've seen, most students and lecturers still want face to face teaching