As University and College Union members vote to ballot for industrial action over Covid health and safety failings at Northumbria University, in Newcastle, third-year student Millie Hetherington talks about her lockdown experience

University and College Union members have unanimously voted to ballot for industrial action over Covid health and safety failings, and said Northumbria University vice-chancellor Professor Andrew Wathey must resign immediately, at an emergency online meeting held yesterday.

The meeting was called after Northumbria University refused to address staff concerns about in-person teaching, even though 770 students have tested positive for Covid since returning to campus for the start of term. Northumbria UCU branch has urged the university to move learning online since the summer.

Only days after 21-year-old student Millie Hetherington arrived back at the university to start her third year of a sociology degree, her flatmate tested positive for Covid-19.

Millie, from County Durham, said: “We have been isolating now for over a week, with some days still to go.

“So far, it has not been as difficult as we thought it would be. We have been instructed not to leave our flat until the 14 days are over, so we cannot get any fresh air.

“Food deliveries have been sent up to us from reception, which has been helpful because we have to isolate in our own rooms. Whilst keeping our distance from each other, in the kitchen we have to wear a mask and clean down every surface when making food.

“Although regular cleaning and distancing was expected, we are unable to complete everyday tasks, such as using the laundry room, going to the bin chute and getting some fresh air. Even when isolating at home, you are still able to do these essential things.

“The fact that we cannot see friends and family, we have to eat in our rooms, complete university work and relax in the same room can have a detrimental impact on your mental health. It can feel extremely lonely and claustrophobic being confined into one small room. However, the university has been supportive throughout.

“Considering that our contact time has been dramatically decreased, we only have a three-hour session on campus, with the rest of it online. At first, I was cautious about falling behind in my studies because I have to quarantine for a lot longer than my flatmates, but the constant contact from my lecturers has been reassuring.

“On top of this, my course mates are able to facetime me, which has eased my stress levels.

“For students like me who struggled to make it to every lecture, before Covid-19, the new climate of online learning has benefitted us a lot.

“The flexibility of our learning though does have its disadvantages, because people are less likely to focus in their bedroom because it is a more relaxed environment, which in turn affects their learning. Hopefully, after quarantining, this will not be such an issue.” 

Meanwhile the UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: “The vice-chancellor has allowed an entirely preventable crisis to take place by encouraging students to move to Newcastle.  We now have a massive outbreak, which risks the lives of staff, students and the local community, yet he is still insisting on in-person teaching. Professor Wathey needs to own up to his failings and resign immediately.

 “Our members do not want to take industrial action, but this is a matter of life and death. Unless the university changes course immediately, and moves to online learning as the default position, we will be balloting for industrial action.”