Public Letter and Guidelines for support of migrant staff and students during the COVID-19 crisis

It has come to our attention that some UK universities have released COVID-19 advice to their international students contrary to, or falling short of, Home Office guidance. Certain UK universities have continued to monitor staff and students, even as the Home Office suspended all compliance actions. In a complete abrogation of responsibility and leadership, certain other universities have either suggested to their international students that they must return to their countries of origin during this health crisis, or have made it more difficult for those who wish to return to do so. This compounds fear and anxiety in what is already an unprecedented and unstable period for international students and staff. Absent any standard practice across the sector, and despite reminders from UCU to universities regarding their duties of care, UK universities continue to risk the emotional, physical, and material well-being of their migrant constituents.

We the undersigned are writing to request an immediate halt to this behavior, and to urge universities to take a proactive position to ensure the health and safety of all their staff and students. Universities have a duty of care, especially to their international students, which they cannot ignore. Most countries are now either actively closing their borders or strongly considering doing so, and, with a two-week and largely symptomless incubation period, it is often the case that a student catches COVID-19 in the UK, only to then be encouraged to leave the country by their educational institution.

International students choose to come to the United Kingdom to undertake a degree here, and have to pay a significant cultural and material premium in order to do so. They contribute enormously to our intellectual, cultural, and economic life regardless of how long their programme lasts, or how long they remain in the country thereafter. They deserve protection and care from the universities they have chosen to study at, live in, and often work for.

We ask universities to uphold their duty of care to their international staff and students by both suspending all monitoring of migrant members, and instituting the most generous extension of visa sponsorship possible during and in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. A detailed link to our suggested policy guidelines can be found here.

Signed,

Dr Robyn Orfitelli, University of Sheffield
Dr Dima Chami, University of Leeds
Dr Laura Loyola Hernandez, University of Leeds
Dr Gareth Edwards, University of East Anglia
Dr Dave Hitchcock, Canterbury Christ Church University
Ayşe Polat, University of Cambridge
Dr Chloé Vitry, Lancaster University

Paul Steenson, University of Leeds

Matthew S. Mahmoudi, University of Cambridge

Sagnik Dutta, University of Cambridge

Dr Aisha Walker, University of Leeds

Maximilian Curtis, University of Cambridge

Tatiana Pignon, University of Cambridge

Shreyashi Dasgupta, University of Cambridge

Dr. Mark Pendelton, University of Sheffield and NEC member of UCU

Dr. Jesus Chairez-Garza, University of Manchester

Anupama Ranawana

Dr. Rachel Herrmann, Cardiff University

Antonia Lee, University of Manchester

Jo Miller, University of Cambridge

Dr. Arunima Bhattacharya, University of Leeds

Dr. Martin Zebracki, University of Leeds

Dr Courtney J Campbell, University of Birmingham

Jonas H. Kidane, University of Cambridge

Surer Mohamed, University of Cambridge

Dr Margaret Comer, University of Cambridge

Niyousha Bastani, University of Cambridge

Dr Furaha Asani, University of Leicester

Dr Ted Tregear, University of Cambridge

Giulia Torino, University of Cambridge

Lena Moore, University of Cambridge

Joshua Lovell, University of Cambridge

Dr Nicholas Simcik Arese, University of Cambridge

Daniel Green, University of Cambridge

Dr Yueming Zhang, University of Manchester

Mallika Datta, University of Leeds

Carys Coleman, University of Manchester

Dr Asa Roast, University of Leeds

Dr Rachell Sánchez Rivera, University of Cambridge

Dr. Michael Onyebuchi Eze, University of Cambridge

Adrián Villaseñor, University of York

Sophie Chamas, SOAS, University of London

Jessica Fernández De Lara Harada, Emmanuel College, University of Cambridge

Dr. Lorena Gazzotti, Lucy Cavendish College, University of Cambridge

Dr. Noura Wahby, University of Cambridge

Tatiana Vargas-Ortiz, University of Cambridge

Mark Walkley, University of Leeds

Vicky Blake, University of Leeds, UCU President Elect

Dr Christopher Markiewicz, University of Birmingham

Dr. Stephanie Mawson, University of Cambridge

Khaled Eissa, University of Cambridge

Chiamaka Igboayaka, University of Sussex

Dr Katie Edwards, University of Sheffield

Alice Musabende, University of Cambridge

Dr. Chandrima Ganguly, University of Cambridge

Dr Grietje Baars, City, University of London

Prof. Sarah Elton, Durham University

Sarah Jilani, University of Cambridge

Arielle Bennett-Lovell, University of Cambridge

Zak Hughes, University of Bradford

Helen Brown, Yorkshire Resists

Dr Mazen Masri, City, University of London

Daniel Davison-Vecchione, University of Cambridge

Dr Remi Joseph-Salisbury, University of Manchester

Eleanor Blair, University of Cambridge

Maria Hengeveld, University of Cambridge

James Cranch, University of Sheffield

Nicole Beardsworth, University of Warwick

Debolina Majumder, University of Cambridge

Mahvish Ahmad, London School of Economics

Katy Fox-Hodess, University of Sheffield

Anne Alexander, University of Cambridge, UCU exec member

Meredith Warren, University of Sheffield

Dr. Midori Harris, University of Cambridge

León Felipe Téllez Contreras, University of Leeds

Ruth Quinn, University of Hull

Robert Vanderbeck, University of Leeds

Norman Yeo, University of York

Siobhan McGrath, Durham University

Sara Gonzalez, University of Leeds

Dr Sarah Lamble, Birkbeck, University of London

Ruth Holliday, University of Leeds

Alan Roe, University of Leeds

Stefano Cremonesi, Durham University

Luke Williams, Birkbeck, University of London

Liam Campling, Queen Mary, University of London

Kerry Pimblott, University of Manchester

Dr Jess Baines, London College of Communication, University of the Arts London

Kyran Joughin, University of the Arts London

Kirstie Whitaker, University of Cambridge

Dharmi Kapadia, University of Manchester

Jo Cutter, University of Leeds

Lloyd Cawthorne, University of Manchester

Dr. Lata Narayanaswamy, University of Leeds

Dr. Yaiza Hernández Velázquez, Goldsmiths, University of London

Dr. David Swanson, University of Manchester

Dr Leon Sealey-Huggins, University of Warwick

Dr Naaz Rashid, University of Sussex

Megan Povey, University of Leeds

John Wadsworth, Goldsmiths, University of London.

Dr Jill Ebrey University of Manchester

Dr Niranjana Ramesh, London School of Economics & Political Science

Dr Tanya Serisier, Birkbeck College, University of London

Dr Jana Bacevic, University of Cambridge

Dr Ioanna Noula, University of Leeds

Dr. Helen Finch, University of Leeds

Dr Stuart Hodkinson, University of Leeds

Dr Vanja Hamzić, SOAS, University of London

Rumbidzai Dube, University of Cambridge

Gholam Khiabany, Goldsmiths, University of London

Joe Wheatley

Shyam Krishna, Royal Holloway, University of London.

Natasha Awbrey, University of Manchester

Peninah Wangari-Jones, Racial Justice Network and University of Manchester.

Dr Chrys Papaioannou, Birkbeck, University of London

Dr Pedro Mendes Loureiro, University of Cambridge

Tim Goodall, University of Leeds

Gabriella Alberti, University of Leeds

Sakshi Aravind, University of Cambridge

Dan Howdon, University of Leeds

Sabine Sharp, University of Manchester

Dr Luis Hernan, University of Sheffield

Ceylan Begüm Yıldız, Birkbeck College, University of London

Dr Tor Krever, University of Warwick

Paddy McDaid, Birkbeck, University of London

Marina Veličković, University of Cambridge

Ioana Cerasella Chis, University of Birmingham

Dr. Alexandra Athelstan-Price, University of Leeds

Linsey McGoey, University of Essex

Anh Le, University of Manchester

Joe Newman, Goldsmiths, University of London

Dr Paul Waley, University of Leeds

Roseanna Webster, University of Cambridge

Claude Hendrickson, Race Card Leeds West Indian Centre Charitable Trust

Simon Huxtable, Goldsmiths, University of London

Leore Joanne Green, University of Cambridge

Eve Dickson, Queen Mary, University of London

Merve Sancak, University of Sheffield

James Morris, University of Cambridge

Dr Monish Bhatia, Birkbeck College, University of London

Draško Kašćelan, University of Leeds

Dr John Narayan, King’s College London

Katharine Jones, Coventry University

Sanaz Raji, Unis Resist Border Controls

Gabriella McGrogan, Birkbeck College, University of London

Dr Mara Nogueira, Birkbeck College, University of London

Deryck Chan, University of Cambridge

Dr Richard Clements, University of Cambridge & Harvard Law School

Hande Güzel, University of Cambridge

Prof Louise Waite, University of Leeds

Admi Jugo, Durham University

Thomas Speak, University of Leeds

Felix Anderl, University of Cambridge

Alice Perez, University of Leeds

Angela Bai, University of Cambridge

Angela Cárdenas Sánchez, University of Manchester

Maria Lauret, University of Sussex

Deirdre Conlon, University of Leeds

Emily Pfefer, Queen Mary, University of London

Prof Adriaan van Klinken, University of Leeds

Beyza Celebi, University of Cambridge

Deen Sharp, London School of Economics

Hana Sleiman, University of Cambridge

Dr Megan McElhone, Birkbeck College, University of London

Ben Plumpton, University of Leeds

Samuel Solomon, University of Sussex

Dr Lucy Smout Szablewska, Durham University

Dr Natalia Cecire, University of Sussex

Dr Alexandra Kokoli, Middlesex University

Dr Pam Thurschwell, University of Sussex

Evan Sale, University of Cambridge

Dr Marina Vishmidt, Goldsmiths, University of London

Dr Tamar Steinitz, Goldsmiths, University of London

Paola Velasco, University of Cambridge

Sadhvi Dar, Queen Mary, University of London

Megan Waugh, University of Leeds

Waseem Yaqoob, Queen Mary, University of London

Merve Fejzula, University of Cambridge alumnus

Ellen Peirson, University of Cambridge

Karam Alkatlabe, University of Cambridge

James Sumner, University of Manchester

Peter Mitchell, University of Manchester

Pratik Chakrabarti, University of Manchester

Matthew King, University of Sussex

Suzannah Boardman, University of Leeds

Chin Yan Han Kristen, University of Cambridge

Brendan Beh, University of Cambridge

Debbie Ho, University of Cambridge

Verner Viisainen, University of Cambridge

Kat Sinclair, University of Sussex

Khai Khai Saw, University of Cambridge

Dr Gwyneth Lonergan, Lancaster University

Ruth Fletcher, Queen Mary, University of London

Tim Baker, University of Leeds

Dr Srilata Sircar, University College London

Yi Ning Chang, University of Cambridge

David Harvie, University of Leicester

Anne-Marie Angelo, University of Sussex

Nehaal Bajwa, University of Sussex

Francisco Quintana, University of Cambridge

Furqan Ghani University of Sussex

Alexandra Grieve University of Cambridge

Asiya Islam, University of Cambridge

Victoria Walden, University of Sussex

Karly Drabot, University of Cambridge

Matteo Mandarini, Queen Mary university of London

Fabienne Collignon, University of Sheffield

Iza Hussin, University of Cambridge

Nicki Kindersley, University of Cambridge

David Whyte, University of Liverpool

James Burton, Goldsmiths, University of London

Laura Connelly, University of Salford

Thomas Ebbs, University of Sussex

Dr Megan Ryburn, London School of Economics

Zeynep Uludağ, University of Leeds

Graham Denyer Willis, University of Cambridge

Dr. Léonie Newhouse, Durham University

Dr Sam Marsh, University of Sheffield

Dr James Woodcock, University of Cambridge

Rasha Rezk, University of Cambridge

Arabella Stanger, University of Sussex

Professor Bill Bowring, Birkbeck College, University of London

Dr David Pritchard, University of Strathclyde

Dr. William Pooley, University of Bristol

Dr Alice Corble, University of Sussex

Edanur Yazici, University of Sheffield

Philip Luther-Davies, University of Cambridge

Raven Howard, University of Cambridge

Prof Paul Routledge, University of Leeds

SungjeJeon, University of Leeds

K Ebury, University of Sheffield

Davide Schmid, MMU

Penelope Anthias, Durham University

Hoayong Lee, University of Leeds

Dr Elizabeth Elliott, University of Aberdeen

Dr Burak Tansel, University of Sheffield

Sandra Alland

Sarah King, Institute of Development Studies

Nailya Shamgunova, University of Cambridge

Dr Mo Moulton, University of Birmingham

Anna Brinkman, University of Warwick

Dr. Yannick Veilleux-Lepage (St Andrews Alumni)

Eloïse Bertrand, University of Warwick / Warwick UC

Professor Lyla Mehta, Institute of Development Studies, UK

Samadhi Lipari, School of Geography, University of Leeds

Nick Chancellor, Durham University

Hao Zhe Chun, Emmanuel College, University of Cambridge

Nathan Oxley, Institute of Development Studies

Prof. Olivette Otele, University of Bristol

Gauthier Marchais, Institute of Development Studies at University of Sussex

Roxy Southern, University of Cambridge

Pamela Karantonis, Goldsmiths College, University of London

Alex Fitzpatrick, University of Bradford

Andrea Rylands University of Leeds

Imogen Bellwood-Howard, Institute of Development Studiess

Dr Shilpi Srivastava, Institute of Development Studies (UK)

Romit Chowdhury, Durham University

Roz Price, Institute of Development Studies

Sohela Nazneen, IDS, University of Sussex

Iain Lindsey, Durham University

Chitra Sundaram, Goldsmiths

Dr Sara L Uckelman, Durham University, migrant

Dr Marie Godin (University of Oxford)

May Yean Chua

Isra Black, University of York

Jasbinder Nijjar — Brunel University London

Simonetta Alessandri Goldsmiths University London

Ceiren Bell, Goldsmiths

Beth Benker UWE

Matilda Gillis, University of Cambridge

Adam Alston, Goldsmiths

Dr Susanne Hakenbeck, University of Cambridge/ Cambridge UCU

Lena Wahlgren-Smith, University of Southampton

Chang Ji, University of Cambridge

David Jones, Research Software Engineer, The University of Sheffield

Alejandro De Coss-Corzo , University of Durham

Mariah Cannon, Institute of Development Studies

Emiliano Perra, University of Winchester

Dominic Glover, Institute of Development Studies

Clement Oghoro University College London

Sofa Gradin, King’s College London

Dr Anandi Ramamurthy, Sheffield Hallam University

Yin Harn Lee, University of Bristol

Dr A D Carruth, Durham University

Kiera Savage, University of Sheffield

Dr. Jamie Doucette, University of Manchester

Emily Timms, University of Leeds

Dr Natalia Bremner, University of York

June Rubis, University of Sydney

Stuart Tannock, UCL Institute of Education

John Drury, University of Sussex

Dr Annie Goh, UAL Central Saint Martins

Caroline Metz, the University of Sheffield

Nazek Ramadan, Director, Migrant Voice

Dr. Simon Rushton, University of Sheffield

Kirsteen Paton, University of Liverpool

N Chan, LSE

Dr Ruth Pearce, University of Leeds

Greta Ferloni, PhD Candidate, Durham University, UK

Wei Shen, Institute of Development Studies

Lorena Sanchez — University College London

Sophia Woodman, University of Edinburgh

Svenja Helmes, University of Sheffield

Temitope Salami, National Assembly, Nigeria

Umer Jan, University of Westminster

Nur Syahadah Binte Shahril, London College of Fashion

Emily Robinson, University of Sussex

Ruth Pinto, University of East Anglia

Kyle Wilcox, international student at London Metropolitan University

Rashné Limki, University of Edinburgh

Dr Ellie Gore, University of Sheffield

Mary Laven, University of Cambridge

Merve Sancak University of Sheffield

Aditya Ramesh, University of Manchester

Gwilym Owen, University of Sheffield

Jack Kushner

Dr Andy Lockhart, University of Sheffield

Jason Scott-Warren, University of Cambridge

Alexandria Harrison , University of Leeds

Joanne Paul, History Sussex

Tom Hunt, University of Sheffield

Onni Gust, University of Nottingham

Katarina O’Dette, University of Nottingham

Maximilian Freudenthaler, University of Sheffield

Adrian Smith, Science Policy Research Unit

Emily Pfefer, Queen Mary University of London

Anna Strowe, University of Manchester

Sola Adeyemi, Goldsmiths College

Patrick Kaczmarczyk, SPERI

Tatiana Zuniga-Burgos, University of Leeds

Francis Rogers, People and Planet Edinburgh

Vanesa Castán Broto, University of Sheffield

Dr Samuel Kinsley, University of Exeter

Dr Eleanor Janega, London School of Economics

Dean Irwin, CCCU

Jessica Patterson, King’s College London

Dr Eva Johanna Holmberg, University of Helsinki

Dr Katherine Stansfeld, Oxford Brookes University

Victoria Habermehl, University of Sheffield

Dan Johnson, University of York

Gurminder K Bhambra, University of Sussex

Jonathan Silver, University of Sheffield

Dr Hannah Boast, University of Warwick

Harry Jones, University of Sussex

Dr Benjamin Bland, Queen Mary, University of London

Linda Westman, University of Sheffield Urban Institute

Dr Adam Elliott-Cooper, University of Greenwich

Beatrice Ivey, University of Sheffield

Michele Lancione, University of Sheffield

Bernardo Caldarola, SPRU, University of Sussex

AbdouMaliq Simone, the Urban Institute, University of Sheffield

Sandra Pointel, University of Sussex

Dr Rachel Macrorie, Urban Institute, The University of Sheffield

Dr Rebecca Davnall, University of Liverpool

Toni Haastrup, University of Stirling

Vivek Santayana, University of Edinburgh

Emily Wheeler, University of Leeds

Sophie Jones, Birkbeck, University of London

Dr Elizabeth Ventham, Minorities And Philosophy UK

Akshi Singh, Queen Mary University of London

Sharon Panepinto, Yorkshire Resists

Glenda Garelli, Univeristy of Leeds

Julian Hough, Queen Mary University of London

Moty Katzman, University of Sheffield

Philip Goff, Durham University

Katie Stone — Birkbeck College, University of London

Princess Ncube, UCT PhD Candidate

Ray Hudson, Durham University

Nabeela Ahmed, University of Sheffield

Enora Robin University of Sheffield

Jessica Cox, University of Edinburgh

Nichola Wood, University of Leeds

Hita Unnikrishnan, The University of Sheffield

Jorg Wiegratz, Leeds University

Marian Mayer, Bournemouth UCU

Rob Byrne, University of Sussex

Lindsay Sawyer, University of Sheffield

Sharon Anyiam, De Montfort & Leeds Beckett Universality

Ben Fowler, University of Sussex

Molly Geidel, University of Manchester

Thomas Goodwin, University of Oxford

Annalise Weckesser, Birmingham City University

Samantha Sie, University of Cambridge

Lucy McPartland, University of Edinburgh

Umberto Albarella, University of Sheffield

Caitlin Allen, City, University of London

Phil Johnstone, Science Policy Research Unit, University of Sussex

Rosalind Carr, Birkbeck

Catherine Evans, University of Sheffield

Professor Simon Marvin, University of Sheffield

Siima Itabaaza

Anna Vainio, Doctoral Researcher, University of Sheffield

Dr Ezgi Tascioglu, Keele University

Dr Danyela Demir, University of Johannesburg

Dr Fatima Rajina

Lucy Baker University of Sussex

Sreya Mallika Datta, University of Leeds

Katell Ane, University of Edinburgh

Julius-Cezar MaQucarie, Central European University

Samuel Burgum, University of Sheffield

Torkel Loman, PhD, Girton College

Erika Hennequet

Andrew Hook, Uni of Sussex

Charline Sempere, Ma Student

Princess Ncube, UCT PhD Candidate

Oguzhan Ozdemir, University of Leeds

Erika Teichert (PhD, Newnham, Cambridge)

Dr Rita Hordosy, University of Nottingham

Eve Doran, LeedsDEC

Natalie Sedacca, UCL

Dr Portia Roelofs, St Anne’s College, Oxford

Dr Margaret Comer, University of Cambridge

Prof. Dr. Sabine Broeck, University of Bremen

Timothy Joubert, University of Leeds

Dr Alexia Yates, University of Manchester

Adv. Bhoomika Pandhare, India

Jenna Mittelmeier, University of Manchester

Dr Guilherme Nettesheim, Department of Physics

Thomas Brotherhood, University of Oxford

Dr Benjamin Bowman, Manchester Centre for Youth Studies, MMU

Miranda Iossifidis, Newcastle University

Fionnuala McCartan

Henrique Carvalho, Birkbeck

Gerardus Lucas, University of Nottingham

Marcus Power, Durham University

Shereen Al-Jaff, MA student at University of Manchester

Dr Michaela Benson, Goldsmiths

David Thomas, Birkbeck College

Jen Slater, Sheffield Hallam University

Brian Haman

Leonie Smith, The University of Manchester

Dr. Martin Hunley, Curator of History, Nova Scotia Miseum

Charlotte Steenbrugge, University of Sheffield

Freya Watkins, University of Birmingham

Dr Chris Montgomery, University of Sheffield

Nicholas Devlin

Edmund Coleman-Fountain, Northumbria University

Lucy Graham, Oxford alumnus

Dr Keetie Roelen, Institute of Development Studies

Arushi Garg, University of Sheffield

Amber Regis, University of Sheffield

Erin McCloskey, Canterbury Christ Church University

Saide Mobayed, PhD Candidate, University of Cambridge

Holly Bringes, Canterbury Christ Church University

Laura Trajber Waisbich, Newnham College

Rune Nyrup, University of Cambridge

Dunstan Roberts, University of Cambridge

Professor Clément Mouhot, University of Cambridge

Ian Wang, University of Cambridge alumnus

Michael Thompson, University of Leeds

Chiara Costa, CCCU

Kathryn Ownby

Tom Salyers, University of Sheffield

Celine Tan, School of Law, University of Warwick

Dr. Adam Whybray, University of Suffolk

Maisie Sanders, Birkbeck student

Pete Thomas Lancaster university

Debolina Majumder (PhD Candidate, Cambridge)

Sam Booth University of Sheffield

Hwei Minn Khoo, Magdalene College

Georg Christ univ of Manchester

Dr Alice Corble, University of Sussex

Dr Matt Luckcuck, University of Liverpool

Felicia Strouth, Kingston University London

Maria Diemling, CCCU

Khadija Open University

Prof Laurence Rsy, University of Kent

Amy Ryall, University of Sheffield

Dr. Lisa Stampnitzky, University of Sheffield

Hadeel Himmo, University of Warwick

Rhiannon Lockley, Branch Secretary, BCU

Khor Khai Shyen, University of Cambridge

Mingjue Xie, University of Edinburgh

Jean Beaman, University of California, Santa Barbara

Saif Alwashahi , University of Manchester

Laura Goodfellow, University of Manchester

Sylvie Lomer, University of Manchester