Friday 10-08-2018 - 16:25

Union officers are urging students to write to the head of their academic department over plans to extend the teaching day by an hour from next term.

 

And to make it as easy as possible to get involved in our 'No 6-7s' campaign, we’ve produced a handy template letter for you to amend and send. Download it here.

 

The university announced recently that it plans to trial an extension to the teaching day that will mean classes could continue until 7pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursday and Fridays.

 

But union officers fear the decision could have wide-ranging negative impacts on students - including those with caring responsibilities, part-time jobs and involvement in clubs and societies – and say they do not believe student concerns are being listened to by the university.

 

Statement from officers

 

The union Full-Time Officer team met with senior university staff this week to express their concerns about the plan.

 

In a statement issued after the meeting, the officers said: “We left the meeting with no confidence that the concerns of the union or the student body were appreciated or understood or that the university is prepared to think again about its plans in response to our objections.

 

“We again made the case that extending the teaching day was likely to have wide ranging detrimental effects on students - including those with caring responsibilities, part-time jobs and involvement in clubs and societies.

 

“The university conceded that it had failed to expand teaching spaces in line with growing student numbers, but was unable to offer any reassurance that any alternative to this ‘trial’ would be offered.

 

“In the poll we conducted last week, students overwhelmingly supported the alternative option of livestreaming lectures rather than lengthening the teaching day. The university says that although it is exploring this idea, livestreaming alone will not be enough to address the institution’s capacity issues. The institution says that only a very small number of classes will be impacted by this change, but that it will not be possible to publish a final timetable until the new intake of Part 1 students is confirmed later in the summer.

 

“It is clear from our meeting today that there is a lack of regard for the student opinion and experience.”

 

More information

 

Find out more and have your say on the Students’ Union Discussion Board.