Some 70 University of Georgia students in the school's UGA at Oxford program were told to stay near their dorms earlier this week during the England riots, amid worries that disturbances would spread to the university town about 60 miles northwest of London.
"We didn't actually have a lockdown," said James McClung, associate director of the study abroad program that brings about 250 UGA students to Oxford each year. "It was recommended to the students that they stay close to home on Tuesday night."
McClung said school officials heard from Thames Valley Police of rumors that demonstrations would occur in Oxford, but the only disturbances that took place were in the "distant outskirts of town" and far from the UGA facility and Trinity College, where most of the students are housed. Officials also suggested that the students refrain from travel to London unless they had a particular need to make the trip.
"Ultimately it was much ado about nothing," McClung said.
The 73 students and three faculty members at Oxford were nearing the end of a concentrated six-week summer program and some students were hoping to celebrate in town. McClung said there was some grumbling over the suggested restrictions.
"They were working nearly until the day they left and were looking to have some fun and enjoy themselves on their last nights in Oxford," he said.
Friday was the last day of the summer program and most of the students were on their way back to the United States by the middle of the day, McClung said. The fall semester abroad will bring about 40 more UGA students to Oxford beginning in the second week of September, he said.
About the Author
