An Update on The Marking and Assessment Boycott
Wednesday 17-05-2023 - 10:12
Lancaster University Has Released The Mitigations They're Putting In Place For The Marking And Assessment Boycott (MAB).
Summary
Before we get to the core of what's being done to mitigate the impact of MAB, it's important to remember that we don't know how many staff members will be taking part. The most important thing is that you should carry on working hard; all of your work will be marked eventually.
Graduation ceremonies are unaffected.
The University will be taking a "No Detriment" approach towards delayed marks. This means that if your provisional grade goes up when your delayed work gets marked, you'll get that higher grade. However, if that marked work brings your grade down, you'll keep the provisional grade.
You will not need to apply for exceptional circumstances if your work has been impacted by the MAB, it'll be automatically considered.
The Educational Safeguards Policy (won by SU Officers) has been amended this year to take into account the effects of industrial action and the cost of living crisis.
If you fail a module that includes work submitted after 17th March, you'll be entitled to an uncapped resit (the opportunity to redo the assessment without a limit).
Final year undergraduates and masters
If your marks are delayed, the University will use the marks you have already achieved to calculate your grade.
If 75% of your modules have marks (for UG students, your second year marks go towards this), you should be able to graduate.
The University will be able to calculate a module grade if at least 33% of the work has been marked.
The no detriment principle will apply when your marks come back.
Your Department will be prepared to write to a prospective employer to explain the situation if you have a job offer that is dependent on a degree grade you're waiting for.
First year undergraduates
You will be able to progress to second year provided that you finish the year with a 9.0 aggregate score.
If you don't have enough marks in your modules, your progression might have to be delayed until later in the summer. You'll still be able to start your second year but, once the work is marked, and if you have failed, you'll be offered to resit in December 2023.
If you're on a Year in Industry Degree that requires a certain grade at the end of first year, you'll be able to progress as long as you pass all of your modules.
Second year undergraduates
You should be able to progress if the marks you have are at a passing level (and make up at least 33% of a module).
If, when they're returned, you have insufficient credit, you'll be offered individualised guidance by your Department.
If you're on a Year in Industry Degree that requires a certain grade at the end of the year, you'll be able to do it as planned, provided that you pass all the modules.
PHD
Supervision is not a form of assessment so you should still be having supervisions as normal.
The University have relaxed the rules around progression without confirmation of passing coursework. If, when the work is marked, you have failed, you will be offered a resit. If you would prefer to intercalate and wait until the work is marked, you will be able to do so.
If your PhD is examined only by thesis, you may be asked to defer your confirmation panel. Should this happen, you will usually be allowed to continue as a probationary PhD student. If, when the work is assessed, the panel does not confirm you, you will be given the opportunity for reassessment.
If you submit your thesis and the examiners are taking part in MAB, unfortunately, your viva or examination will have to be deferred. This also applies to amendments/corrections.
If an external examiner approves your amendments (and it was due to be looked at by both internal and external examiners), you will be given the degree. However, if the external examiner does not approve your amendments, they will have to wait until the internal examiner is no longer boycotting.
Professionally Accredited degrees
Some degrees are accredited by Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies (PSRBs). The University is not in control of how they choose to accredit your degree. University management is currently consulting with PSRBs on their approaches towards MAB (these will differ for each PSRB).
If the PSRB provides a waiver for MAB, you will graduate like every other final year students.
If the PSRB decides not to waive their requirements, the University is planning on offering you a non-PSRB equivalent degree (so that you would be able to walk across the graduation stage in July).
When your work gets marked, you will be given three options:
1) if you meet the PSRB's requirements, you'll be awarded the degree you've been working towards;
2) if you don't meet the PSRB's requirements and wish to resit, you will be given uncapped resits (with a similar no detriment idea for the non-PSRB degree equivalent);
3) if you don't meet the PSRB requirements but are happy with a non-PSRB degree, you'll be able to keep the degree you walked across the stage with.
Where to go for support?
Our Advice service are here to help you with any problem you have and it is free, confidential and impartial.
get in touch at: lusuadvice@lancaster.ac.uk
For any specific questions you can also email - strikequeries@lancaster.ac.uk
