Students from across Turkey and Syria have spoken of their concerns over the University's response to last week's earthquake. In conversation with Varsity, students said that the University and the SU “had not gone far enough” in supporting those from the affected regions, with one student told to “pay (their tuition fees) now or intermit” in the days following the disaster in the region. 

The 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck South Eastern Turkey, near the border of Syria last week (06/2). Over a week later, the total number of deaths currently exceeds 41,000 with millions more impacted and displaced across the two countries.

Over 2000 miles away from home, one student told Varsity how in the days following the earthquake their college had demanded the payment of their tuition fees despite their sponsor's business collapsing during the earthquake.

The sponsor had previously agreed to cover the cost of their undergraduate degree but after the earthquake, became unable to pay the fees due to damages to the physical business and losses from the recovery. The student said: “There is a high probability of me being forced to intermit my studies- on top of everything going on”. With universities across Turkey now closed indefinitely, the student added, “If I get kicked out I don’t even know if there’s a Turkish university that could even welcome me.”  The student said no economic support was available from the University due to the high cost of international tuition fees and that their  college had not suggested any alternative methods of funding. 

Ruby, a Syrian MPhil student commented that “sending one or two emails isn’t enough” and that the university “could do more and provide consultations specifically for people affected" after the University released a statement of support on social media, encouraging students to reach out last week (9/2).

Students were also contacted by email this week (14/02) by Professor Bhaskar Vira, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education. However, the email was not sent to all students from the region, with students alleging that the university only contacted those with citizenship from the two countries. Students who have grown up in the region or have familial connections were therefore not contacted or informed of support available due to their citizenship status.

The email detailed current donation appeals and encouraged students to 'reach out' to the University Counselling Service regarding mental health issues.  A Syrian student added that “at an institutional level, the university should have reached out more to increase people’s awareness of the situation as they have done in other cases, not just a select group."

Cambridge SU had not released any official statement after the disaster until today (17/02), after the publication of this article. Previously, the representative body had issued statements on several issues affecting students including anti-Asian hate, violence in Palestine and the invasion of Ukraine. 

Many students praised the university’s strong response last year to the invasion of Ukraine , with one student saying: “Correctly, with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, there were emails, announcements about what was happening, support for students and staff from the area, but also support for students and staff who weren't even from there." One student claimed that “whenever disasters happen in the Middle East, it feels like there is no interest."

As a collegiate university, other students pointed to the uneven responses by colleges frustrated that “some colleges had not reached out at all." However, one student discussed how their college personally reached out to them in the days after the earthquake, with support from their Director of Studies, supervisors and tutor, they said: “They have been so understanding and supportive, but I’m worried there are people from other colleges who might not have those individuals.” 

Others highlighted that their colleges and JCRs had also advertised support across different channels. A Syrian student said: “I’m grateful for the support I’ve received at an individual level. My course director and my personal tutor immediately sent me an email on the day of the earthquake to check on me.”

Students highlighted the support networks established between those affected. One said: “Turkish Society has made me feel less powerless- it’s been very supportive. We decided we couldn’t go through this on our own.”

A University spokesperson said: “Since the tragic events of last week we have used the University’s social media channels to reach and engage with the largest possible audience, sending supportive messages through posts and by email from senior figures, and providing practical content, such as on fundraising efforts. The response to date has been positive, and we will continue to look for opportunities to provide relevant updates and information.”