AN education union has set five key tests for the sector over university reopening.
The University and College Union (UCU) Scotland says the requirements must be met "so students, parents and staff can be confident of a safe working environment as lockdown restrictions ease".
Plans are underway to prepare for the next academic year in the autumn. Some institutions are to change term dates, with Aberdeen University pushing its first day back by a fortnight and Dundee University delays its start by three weeks.
Meanwhile, others have announced plans for dual teaching to allow some lessons to take place over the web.
Colleges begin earlier in August, with both Dundee and Angus College and North East Scotland College both warning their students that the date is "subject to change".
Today UCU Scotland has called for authorities and students to support its five tests before moving more staff and students back onto university campuses and into workplaces.
UCU Scotland official Mary Senior said: "The safety of students and staff safety must be paramount if we are to counter the damage being done by the UK’s appalling record to date on Covid-19.
"We need assurances that health, safety and wellbeing are the top priorities before any return to university campuses can be considered."
Test one calls for the "sustained reduction" in numbers of coronavirus cases and infection rates, while test two covers "coherent planning" for social distancing on campus.
Other demands are the introduction of comprehensive testing and contact tracing, the establishment of university-wide strategies for safe returns and continuing health, safety and wellbeing, and "protection for the vulnerable".
Senior said: "We need to have sustained reduction in Covid-19 cases and infection rates, along with coherent plans for social distancing, comprehensive testing and contract tracing, before we can contemplate any moves back to working on campus.
"It is vital that universities work with trade unions to agree university-wide strategies for a safe return which, crucially, includes protection for the vulnerable."
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