Students say they are being unfairly blamed for the rise in Covid-19 cases and are facing “unjustified” rules compared to the rest of the population.
They have attacked a decision telling them not to go to pubs, parties or restaurants this weekend to help stem the virus, after being encouraged by the Scottish Government to return to campus.
The Highlands and Islands Students’ Association (HISA) is calling for support for students isolating and suffering mental health issues due to coronavirus challenges.
HISA president Florence Jansen said: “Many of our students would not have returned to their accommodation if they had not been encouraged to do so by the government, and especially if they thought that they would not be allowed to return home as a result.
“Despite this, our students across the University of the Highlands and Islands are doing their very best given the current circumstances, and their welfare is our main priority as always.
“What has to be remembered, is that students are just normal people. They need to follow the guidance like everyone else and are not to blame for the escalation of cases across the country. The Scottish Government applying different regulations to students over and above the rest of the adult population is deeply concerning, and the additional guidance is only contributing to confusion over the guidelines.
“If blame is being apportioned it should be to those that are putting economics ahead of public health.”
Ms Jansen said there should be targeted support for students who are isolating and increased mental health support for those in need.
Meanwhile, Richard Lochhead, the higher education minister, said students are not being stigmatised in being told not to go to pubs this weekend.
Universities have also agreed to introduce a “yellow card, red card” system for breaches of student discipline.
Mr Lochhead told BBC Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland radio programme: “This is an ask of the student population of Scotland from universities.
“The Scottish Government supports that, but the universities are asking the students jointly across Scotland this weekend – given we’ve got a number of outbreaks of the virus and some campuses across Scotland – to have the weekend off from socialising outwith the households.
“This is about all of us working together, it’s not stigmatising students, it’s not about saying they’re particularly to blame for what’s happening.”