A Falmouth councillor has spoken of her anger at how the government has dealt with the return of students to Falmouth and the impact it has had - both on the town and the students themselves.

Jayne Kirkham is Cornwall councillor for Falmouth's Smithick division, where many students live.

She said: "Four weeks ago the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) said there was a 'significant risk' that higher education 'could amplify local and national transmission' of Covid-19.

"Funnily enough, people crossing the country to move into shared accommodation together is likely to spread any bugs they may have and asymptomatic cases that are prevalent in young people could amplify this. Hence why ‘freshers’ flu’ is a thing every October on university campuses.

"Yet again, the government has ignored a problem until it is upon them. In the meantime, students have all signed yearlong accommodation contracts in their place of study that landlords are unlikely to allow them to relinquish.

"In Cornwall our universities, along with the Safer Cornwall Partnership have been planning for months to set up their own safety measures as far as they can, with a Covid-19 testing centre kept in Falmouth, private testing on campus and a plan for hybrid teaching.

"With no sign of the government grasping the nettle and making a decision about higher education, the universities had very little choice but to open up as best they could, or close and risk bankruptcy.

"But now the entirely predictable has occurred."

She pointed to the cases at Glasgow and Manchester Universities, as well as the much smaller number of cases in Falmouth and Penryn.

"Teenagers are supposed to be having the time of their lives. Freshers’ week, meeting new people, starting new courses. Instead some are being ‘locked down’ into halls of residence and told they can’t go out," she added.

"They will be scared of Covid and they will also probably be trying to make the best of it where they are, which due to the 10pm pub closures is likely to cause issues over noise and concern over the ‘rule of six’ and community transmission.

"Six students are often sharing four bed houses in Falmouth, with the two ground floor reception rooms converted into bedrooms. The issues arising are so predictable and it is students and local people who are suffering.

"If the government had planned ahead, we could have delayed term starts, planned online teaching, socially distanced campuses and accommodation only for those who need to be present on campus - such as science and design courses - and worked a way around accommodation contracts rather than shifting this virus around the country.

"As it is, students are being told they might have to stay in their single rooms rather than go home for Christmas to friends and family."

A local information leaflet will be delivered in a couple of weeks. In the meantime she said anyone who needed her support could email jayne.kirkham@cornwallcouncillors.org.uk and also gave a list of contact numbers:

  • Community related issues: the university community line 01326 370737, or email community@fxplus.ac.uk
  • Noise nuisance/disturbance: publicprotection@cornwall.gov.uk or 0300 1234 212.
  • Anti-social behaviour: 101@dc.police.uk or 101.

Students living in the community can access university support 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday on 01326 370460 or studentservices@fxplus.ac.uk, or for immediate advice out of hours contact campus staff at Glasney Lodge on 01326 253503.

Students with Covid-19 symptoms, however mild, should self-isolate and contact the Rapid Response Team straight away via rapidresponse@fxplus.ac.uk or 01326 370402.