01 Aug Away from home
https://myeyepiece.wixsite.com/dual-lens/post/away-from-home
A variety of students have decided to stay in their university halls in London Southbank during the quarantine and some have decided to go back home. Some of the students that have stayed are from international borders and many who left during lockdown have faced an issue about their payments with the university. An issue has risen with the students has caused an uproar in social media about how LSBU accommodations have decided to charge the remaining amount which is around £1k-£1.5k to the students who left the accommodation. Students are outraged by the reply of LSBU accommodations telling them they have to pay their final fee despite the fact that they won’t be using the accommodation due to the tenancy agreement which the students have agreed to in their initial contract. Making matters worse, students are hearing that other university’s accommodation department has pulled away from their contract and allowed students who left their halls to keep their money. The students worked together to find a way to get their voice heard. Law students have used what they learned to find a way for students to go home without being charged proposing students to find a clause which puts them in a case where it includes threatening of life and use the excuse of how infectious COVID-19 is. On the other hand, the students also started an official government petition to void the contract and one person.
A few students spoke up about the problem.
Frightened student, Honza Voda, 21 from the Czech republic spoke about how he wants to spend the lockdown with his family instead of being stuck abroad.
He speaks out about how he found out from his flatmates that he still had to pay his final instalment and was happy about it as he says “it’s logical because we’re not using halls at all plus uni is closed at the moment, the library is also closed so there was no reason to stay in student hall.”
He also included the fact that other universities have come to their conclusion of allowing their students to leave without paying.
The university responded in email saying “It is within the contract that students pay for their final installment regardless of where they would be staying. In any changes to their place of living, the students should inform us before the final installment would take place and we will be able to make arrangements. It is not within our policy for us to not ask for payment.”
The other students who chose to stay have said that they felt alone most of the time because of the social distancing rule being enforced by the University where they won’t allow visitors from anywhere even from other student halls.
As for the students staying, they decided it’s safer to stay away from their families rather than risking infecting their high-risk parents.
I asked one of the students for an interview, he decided to remain anonymous. He claims that as someone living in the most infected area of London, there was a possibility of being a hidden carrier. Being afraid of infecting the parents, he decided to stay. He said he felt like he had to sacrifice just so he and his parents could survive the upcoming months of lockdown. He says he misses his family and can’t wait to see them after the lockdown.
A variety of student expressed how they felt in staying within the halls.
He also says “despite the numerous downside of the lockdown, I also try my best to keep myself distracted, I started exercising more during the lockdown along with the great weather UK has been presenting to us. I’ve picked up my guitar again and started to practise again and I’ve also learned to edit better in photoshop and lightroom.
He suggests that people should try and be productive during the lockdown and use the time they have and take advantage of what they have.
He also says “I assume that the people with their families should have more time together now, they should be able to connect with each other more than ever so this lockdown shouldn’t be to bad, it’s not like it’s going to last for years, just a few months, so let’s just chill and try get something out it rather than be worried.”
Some have said that they felt alone most of the time because of the social distancing rule being enforced by the University where they won’t allow visitors from anywhere even from other student halls. London Southbank university Accommodations have increased their strictness towards visitors and increasing the security in Mclaren house by asking for the ID of every student who comes in. Other students felt trapped because they feel like they can’t go home because of the lockdown and is left confused and afraid during the situation. This proves even difficult for international students who have stayed. Student, Julia, 21, said, “We do try and contact their family but it’s different when they’re not there next to you.” It’s definitely a difficult time for everyone and it all has been caused due to the lockdown of the pandemic Coronavirus. It’s still unknown how long will this last. Remember to stay 2 meters apart, wear gloves and a mask when going out to stop the spread of infection and only go out when necessary!
