Issue 142

Will We Graduate?

08th May 2006

Lecturers at universities across the country are refusing to set exams or mark coursework because their unions, Natfhe and the AUT, are demanding a pay-rise to bring their salaries in line with other professions, such as those of GPs. They argue that when the legislation for top-up fees of £3,000 was passed, lecturers were promised by the Government that a third of the money generated would be used to increase their pay.

But Swansea AUT President Andrew Morgan commented that: "The University is now refusing to give its lecturers a pay-rise, despite being given a share of the £36 million grant given to Welsh universities by the Assembly in lieu of the revenue that would have been generated by top-up fees.

But many students are angry and upset at the action. Emma Stuart, a final year History and Politics student said, "Two of my exams have already been cancelled and the date for sitting them has passed. I have been told that my marks so far would be put towards my degree instead. Whilst I do support the AUT, I am also very worried."

Many finalists are in the same position, with the guidelines of how they are going to be assessed changing daily. Maths, History, International Relations, Politics and Computer Science are among the departments most seriously affected. Many students from these departments attended an emergency Student General Meeting on Thursday amid fears that marks given will be unfair and AUT run-on that their exams are not being set.

Andrew Morgan was keen to inform students that, “It was agreed by the AUT not to even set exams because there is a possibility that the university could hire in retired lecturers to mark them. Students would then be at a disadvantage because the staff marking their exams would be different from those who had taught them.”

Despite frustration and anger amongst students, there is also support. Post-grad student Jonny Jones of Respect students said on Thursday: “I’m amazed at the level of support; it is a good sign that the AUT will receive the pay that they deserve.”

SU President Becki McKinlay is urging students to support the action: “The SU is supporting the AUT strike because it would have gone ahead with or without our support. We have far more information that we can pass on to students as a result of standing by the AUT.

“I appreciate that many students are frustrated. I have received more than 150 emails of complaint from students, which have all been passed on to the university and academic registry.

“The SU is working hard to resolve the problem. Weekly emails are being sent out to keep students informed and we now have a weekly meeting with Pro-Vice Chancellor, Professor Rhys Williams, to deal with student complaints there and then, rather than going through the University’s six week complaints procedure. The university is worried because they realise that with so many complaints piling up, they do not have long to act.”

The SU and university are unsure exactly how many lecturers are supporting the AUT, and have asked concerned students to approach lecturers individually.

Becki has been keen to reassure International Students that the university has a responsibility to ensure that their work is marked and that exchange students will return home with their grades. “A contingency plan should soon be in place; but all the signs are pointing towards the fact that students will graduate in June, so it is important that they still revise for their exams,” she said. “In extreme cases, where exams are not sat by students, and consequently students are not getting what they are paying huge sums of money for, those affected will be well within their right to sue the university.

“The SU is running a ‘complain campaign’ urging students to come forward with their experiences of how the assessment boycott is affecting them. The more pressured the university feels, the sooner they will have to act, and that will obviously be to the benefit of the students.”

Meanwhile rumours that the Vice Chancellor has received a pay rise in the region of £27,000, which have angered lecturers and students alike, have been denied by the University.

A university spokesperson said: “The University doesn’t comment on staff salaries, but the Vice-Chancellor’s salary is published annually in the Financial Statements. The figure of £27,000 quoted is inaccurate.”

Last year’s accounts show that the Vice Chancellor received a £32,000 pay rise; this year’s accounts are due to be published in November.

Caroline Sutch