26/02/2021
“Maybe you have to be a little crazy to do it”: Helene Hoffman on spending 14 months in Antarctica
On 4 January 2021 the government announced rules for a national lockdown which came into force the following day. The University announced its arrangements for the Lent term on 6 January and its decision to move all teaching and learning for undergraduates and postgraduate taught students online for the entirety of the Lent term. As a result of these latest restrictions many students have not been able to return to College for the Lent term or left College at the beginning of January in order to comply with the guidelines. Since travel is significantly restricted during the lockdown period, the College does not expect that students will be able to return before the end of the Lent term. The College has therefore amended its rent policy to reflect these significant developments as set out below.
1. If you left College before 5 January 2021 and have not returned:
If you are on a termly licence and left at the end of the Michaelmas term you will not be charged for rent in the Lent term.
If you are on a termly licence and had booked to stay on in the vacation but left College before 5 January 2021 you will be charged for rent until the date of your departure but will not be charged for rent in the Lent term.
If you are on a 9 month or 12 month period licence and left College before 5 January 2021 you will not be charged for rent from 1 January 2021 (the date from which your next rental payment is calculated) until the earlier of the date of your return* or 1 April 2021 (the start date of the next rental payment period).
*The lifting of restrictions before the end of the Lent term is not anticipated as at the date of this policy; returning to College before the end of the Lent term is only possible in limited circumstances and/or the prior permission of your tutor. All students will be asked to self-isolate on their return – see the latest College guidance on this.
2. If you left College after 5 January 2021 or are planning to leave during the Lent term, your normal licence terms apply**:
If you are on a period licence, the normal requirement of one month’s notice applies.
If you are on a termly licence, you will be required to pay rent until the end of the term.
**The normal licence requirements may be waived at the discretion of the College if extenuating circumstances apply. For example, if you attempted to make arrangements to leave College before the government restrictions took effect but were unable to get a flight in time, you may only be charged for rent until the date of your departure. If you believe there are extenuating circumstances in your situation, please contact the Assistant Senior Tutor, Dr Lesley MacVinish (ljm1000@cam.ac.uk) to discuss them.
If you have paid in advance for any portion of your rent after the date of your departure, any refund will be credited to your College Account. If, once your statement has been issued, your College Account is still in credit, we can arrange to transfer the balance to you on request.
3. If you are still resident in College you will continue to be charged rent in accordance with the terms of your licence.
After 1 April 2021 the position is not clear, but the principle remains the same: students will not be charged for rooms that they are not able to live in due to government restrictions. We will update this policy as soon as the position becomes clear.
Updated 28 January 2021
