Covid: Universities' business ethic has led to lonely, frightened students trapped in halls – Kenny MacAskill

Treating university campuses like secure units, complete with police and private security, was oppressive to say the least, writes Kenny MacAskill MP.

Students from Glasgow University look out the windows of accommodation at Murano Street student village (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Freshers Week’s been a debacle and not in the usual manner of students overindulging.

It’s one of life’s great landmarks, exciting yet frightening, leaving home, free from parental scrutiny but worried about being alone in the world. It’s not just about partying but about making new friends.

I still remember my first night in residences when I met up with another scared and overawed small-town Scots lad. Hooking up for mutual support, 44 years on we remain good friends. I’ve been at his wedding and seen his family and career blossom, all from that first night.

It’ll be the same for youngsters this year despite the restrictions imposed upon them. I can’t help feeling sorry for them though, they’re not the cause of this but the victims of it.

For sure, as in every community and in every generation, there’s a few who behave irresponsibly. But most have been stoic in the face of quite extreme adversity.

It’s not as if this just sneaked up on universities, they knew what was coming and invited them all the same.

I should declare an interest with a stepdaughter who has flown the coop, only to find herself confined.

Some are paying a fortune in fees, others just seeing payments made for accommodation and all the other living costs they have.

They’re not insubstantial, but preparations were far from adequate and restricting who could accompany them and staggering arrivals was insufficient.

To then turn around and blame the young folk, treating campuses as secure units and even bringing in the police and private security was oppressive to say the least.

It can’t be easy for many lonely, frightened youngsters and all because universities have become businesses and principals have rushed to get bums on seats and students into private halls.

They’ll get through this and enduring friendships will be made. But it’s a reminder that all generations are suffering because of this virus, young and old.

Kenny MacAskill is the SNP MP for East Lothian

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this article on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism.

Subscribe to scotsman.com and enjoy unlimited access to Scottish news and information online and on our app. Visit www.scotsman.com/subscriptions now to sign up.

Subscribe to the Edinburgh Evening News online and enjoy unlimited access to trusted, fact-checked news and sport from Edinburgh and the Lothians. Visit www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/subscriptions now to sign up.

By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Joy Yates

Editorial Director