The University has confirmed that all lectures in the academic year 2020/21 will be delivered online, as a result of the likely need for continued social distancing. You can read the full University statement here: www.cam.ac.uk/coronavirus/news
We know that many students will have concerns about what this decision means for their education next year. We want to reassure students that we are working closely with the University and Colleges to ensure students who want to are able to return to Cambridge at the start of the next academic year, provided it is safe to do so. The University is also developing plans to deliver other forms of in-person teaching, including supervisions, classes, labs and tutorials, in a way that complies with social distancing guidelines.
We will be lobbying the University to ensure that both students and staff have the technology and equipment needed for the delivery of high-quality online lectures. It is vital that students are provided with the financial and technical support necessary to make this happen and that disabled students have access to specialised support if required. It is also crucial that teaching staff are paid fairly for their work, including training and preparation time, and that teaching unions such as UCU are included in these discussions.
While a great deal of uncertainty remains about what life will look like in the months to come, we will be working hard to ensure students’ education can continue next year in a way that is safe for both students and staff, and that students are provided with as much information as possible about planning for 2020/21.