University of Aberdeen students feel 'betrayed' after no detriment policy turned down
The policy aim was to protect students from the negative academic impact of the pandemic. The policy was been voted down by 39 votes for and 55 against.
Last updated 5th Feb 2021
Last night the University of Aberdeen Senate voted against a ‘No Detriment Policy’.
Its aim was to protect students from the negative academic impact of the pandemic. The policy was been voted down by 39 votes for and 55 against.
A petition has now been started to overturn the decision.
The University's students' association have reacted with anger saying they've been 'betrayed'.
Ondrej Kučerák, AUSA Vice President for Education said:
“Students have been betrayed and let down. It’s never been harder to be a student, and now more than ever they need to be supported and protected. The University of Aberdeen had the perfect opportunity to be sector leaders, to put students first and to show how valued and important students are. By voting this policy down, Senate members have put themselves first, and students last.
He continued: "This policy was designed to protect those who need it the most. Senate has failed them.
We are outraged by what has happed and will continue to fight this. We believe that the University needs to review their decision as a matter of urgency, otherwise it could have disastrous impact on our students.”
A University of Aberdeen spokesperson said:
“Throughout the pandemic the University has placed great emphasis on caring for the well-being of our students, and we continue to do so. While Senate did not support the specific No Detriment policy that was proposed for our second half session, it did endorse the need for consistency and fairness for students who have been adversely affected by the pandemic.
“We have in place a range of processes to enable students to inform us of their circumstances, for example if they require an extension or are suffering ill-health or other mitigating circumstances. This might include inadequate access to IT, poor working conditions at home or elsewhere, family issues, or any other factors.
“The University’s existing procedures on assessment and degree award enable and support achievement and will be used to ensure that students’ performance during this time is supported. We are working with Aberdeen University Students’ Association to take forward this work so that no student is disadvantaged.”
The President of NUS Scotland Matt Crilly also expressed his disappointment in a tweet: