Throughout this pandemic British students have been dealing with more than just lockdown. Many have been ill themselves and many have lost loved ones. When loved ones suffer we all suffer, and COVID-19 is an evil which affects us all.

Universities should be updating their guidelines, not only in how students can stay safe and keep a distance but also in how they treat their students. For example, universities should be more open to giving extensions to those who have suffered. Most will agree that this is not a normal year and therefore the normal rules need to be reconsidered.

University degrees still need to be fair, and transparent, and special arrangements need to be equal across the country so we don’t disadvantage any student no matter where they study. What should also be considered, is that some minority groups could be unfairly held back if special arrangements are not applied fairly across country. The Office for Students states that, “There may be some students who benefit less than others.” For what it’s worth universities need to approach exams and assessments this year with equality in mind.

What this ultimately boils down to is a growing demand for universities to treat students as human-beings, and not as consumers. Those in need of extra support will most likely be at their lowest point, distressed, and may not be up to going through the rigorous bureaucracy of form filling and providing proof for their claims. Especially considering it may be the death of a loved one.

The word that needs to be adopted is ‘compassion.’ Let’s create compassionate universities.