Petition launched by student for University of Warwick to reduce accomodation fees in light of 'difference in standard of education compared to last year' due to Coronavirus

Louis Wharton has set up the petition on the Change.org website.

He has said: "The University of Warwick must act now to partially refund accommodation fees for their students. In solidarity with students across the nation, we demand a rent reduction of at least 30% for the remainder of the academic year 2020-21.

"Universities across the country are united in this fight for fairness. Manchester, Cambridge, Bristol and Nottingham all continue to hold their universities accountable for the reduced experience they have all received so far this year, so why can't we?

"Fundamentally, this boils down to equality. The University, by continuing to charge both fixed tuition and accommodation fees, is asserting that there is no difference in the standard of education and experience offered this year compared to last year.

"This just isn't true. "Warwick, we're ready to talk when you are."

The petition can be found here .

The university has said: "While it may not be the case at all other universities Warwick has in fact been able to sustain a significant amount of face to face teaching right throughout this first term and our students have very much welcomed that face to face teaching so students have needed to be in residence.

"It is only in this very last week of term that the Government have asked as to move as much teaching as possible online, but even then at is so we can run the asymptomatic mass testing of students so that students can return home after receiving two negative tests. Again clearly students need to be in residence to avail themselves of that testing."