TUN feedback - Campus / Student Life

Click on the titles to view the feedback and response

_{Please note: comments and responses may have been edited. Information was correct at time of response but may have been superseded. We publish the comments in the language in which they have been submitted and the University's responses bilingually.}

 23/24 Semester 2

• REF: 66-2402-2260523 - Car Parking Regulations

  Your comment: Make student parking permits available for students who live in town, or reduce the parking fare in the visitor car park

  Our response:

  Many thanks for your email.

  We are unable to change the terms and conditions of our parking regulations. These have been approved through the usual university governance process taking many factors into consideration. In comparison to car parks in Aberystwyth and Ceredigion as a whole, we are confident that our prices are very fair and reasonable. All income is reinvested into maintaining the estate

  In addition, Aberystwyth University is committed to net zero carbon by 2030. Ensuring sustainable travel is a part of this commitment and as such we do encourage the use of public transport wherever possible.

 23/24 Semester 1

• REF: 66-2311-9020914 - Paper Towel Removals

  Your comment: The removal of paper towels from bathrooms is wholly inconsiderate of those with sensory processing issues (noise sensitivity) who cannot use the extremely loud hand dryers on campus.

  Our response:

  Many thanks for your Tell us Now submission in respect of paper towels.

  This project is part of a wider sustainability review aiming to heavily reduce the environmental impact of approximately 4.5million hand towels being used at the university annually. This level of paper usage, in addition to the resulting waste management, does not align with some key sustainability targets and as such it was important to review.

  As a result, the University has moved to return to pre-pandemic measures, where bathroom facilities contain either hand driers or paper towels.

  However, in recognition of some of the challenges being experienced by the adjustment back, paper towels have been retained in all Accessible bathroom facilities.

  Paper towel dispensers are being retained should we need to re-introduce paper towels for infection control purposes in the future.

• REF: 66-2310-1422130 - Rail Card Release Dates

  Your comment: I appreciate the sentiment of the free Railcard, however most students I have spoken to feel they would have appreciated transparency from the beginning about how long it would take to receive the Railcard. For most of us it would have worked out cheaper just to buy one before the start of the year.

  Our response:

  Thank you for your feedback.
   
  Unfortunately, we cannot process the railcards any quicker as we need to ensure everyone has first enrolled as a student and give everyone ample time to apply. We can ensure you that the railcard is valid for 12 months no matter when you receive the railcard.
   
  We emailed everyone a week after registration (which is the quickest we can email all students after they’ve enrolled). A section of the email inviting students to opt in to receive a Railcard, which was sent on the 3rd of October is attached. In that email, we state the deadline for application, and we also note when you can expect to receive the codes to claim the cards. We stated you would have the codes to claim the cards in early November, we’re pleased to have been able to issue these a little quicker and everyone received them at the end of October.

• REF: 66-2311-915008 - Exam Date Release

  Your comment: Would it be possible for exam dates to be released earlier as I'm beginning to look at industry conferences and events around the exam period which I'd like to attend for my placement year. Also, what is the reason behind exam dates being published so late especially as formal school exam dates are published over a year in advance?

  Our response:

  Thank you for your feedback.

  
  The dates of the all the University Examination periods up until 2026 can be located at https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/about-us/dates-of-term/ . The provisional semester 1 examination timetable for January 2024 will be released during week beginning 20 November (next week), with the final timetable released during week beginning 4 December. The exam timetable can only be produced once all students have confirmed their module choices for the semester, and students are able to change their module choices during the first few weeks of term.

• REF: 66-2310-5118917 - Door Button Fixed

  Your comment: The button for the door to Hugh Owen level A across from the food hall is broken and does not open the door.

  Our response:

  Thank you for bringing this to our attention, I am writing to inform you that the job is now complete, and the button is working to open the door.

 22/23 Semester 2

• REF: 66-2305-1462212 - Piano Practice Rooms

  Your comment: It'd be nice if they were more pianos that can be used by students, the ones in lola Fach and the senior common room seem to be moved and the piano in the junior common room is inaccessible for non residents. The ones in the faith space is out of tune and some keys dont work properly. I heard there's on in town but I can't find information on it online.

  Our response:

  There are practice rooms with pianos available in Y Bwthyn, located on King St, and they can be booked through your MyAber account, here.

• REF: 66-2305-5256911 - Yay for No Mow May

  Your comment: I just wanted to say how much I am enjoying seeing the effects of 'no mow May' around campus already. Every time I walk to lectures or the library I feel like I get to see new plants and flowers and it makes me smile to see so much nature! I hope that this project will be repeated again next year or even extended to cover more of the year!

  Our response:

  Thank you for your positive comments about the effects of ‘No Mow May’. As a grounds team, we are working with colleagues across the university to implement new measures within the biodiversity action plan. Much of this is growing year after year, for the past three years, the university has achieved Green Flag status, Silver Hedgehog Award and some academics and researchers within IBERS are evidencing growth around local habitats.

  We will continue to cut some grassed areas where very little biodiversity is present which include the green spaces to the right as you drive into campus and around some buildings. These areas will continue to grow as we manage to build on the biodiversity strategy already in place. We are not cutting around the hedges, the banks in front of the Hugh Owen (one example) continue to thrive alongside many other sections of the campuses, we also leave the shelter belts untouched and only cut the grass that impacts visibility for road users.

• REF: 66-2302-5433523 - Yoga Practice Space

  Your comment: Hello, I think it would be great if the uni could create a calm space for yoga/meditation to be practiced. I often think of bringing my yoga mat to uni but think other than the prayer room, there isn’t anywhere peaceful to do any practice. I find doing yoga during exam season, or any other stressful time at uni to be really beneficial and I’m sure other students would too. Yes there are yoga classes at the sports hall but you have to pay for those (understandably), and if you’re stressed and a bit poor and just want somewhere to stretch and relax, there isn’t really anywhere on campus! Thanks.

  Our response:

  You can book ‘Room 5’ in the SU free of charge. This is a small, mirrored dance room suitable for groups of up to 10. Individuals can and often do book this space out for personal yoga and meditation. You can book by either going to SU reception or by emailing union@aber.ac.uk.

• REF: 66-2304-6915519 - Soft Closing Doors

  Your comment: Could you add a soft close/slow closing restrictor on the door into the G3/G3A LLA corridor? I have a lot of teaching in G3A, and when people come and go into G3 next door on the hour, there is about 10 minutes of constant door slamming which is really loud and distracting when you're in a lecture or seminar.

  Our response:

  Thank you for bringing this to our attention, our Maintenance Team have been to investigate the problem and made the necessary adjustments to the doors.

  Thank you

• REF: 66-2304-9102117 - Webpage Updates

  Your comment: I have noticed on the residence life webpage the events and activities section has not been updated. They only have the events from freshers week and the few weeks after.

  Our response:

  Many thanks for raising this with us. We have now updated the event activities on the website and will ensure that this is kept up to date going forward. If you have social media, please follow our social media pages for the most recent and up to date information. You can do this by following @BywydAberLife on Facebook or Instagram.

• REF: 66-2303-6187824 - Bring It Don't Bin It

  Your comment: Within the accommodation block there should be a place where students can deposit items they no longer need or want and others who are in need can pick-up. I think that this would be beneficial to all students who will be leaving Aber for whatever reason, so they don't have to think about throwing things away.

  Our response:

  Many thanks for your suggestion. 

  
  We do run a “bring it don’t bin it” campaign every year, starting after the Easter break for our students to donate any of their belongings that they no longer want/need. We then donate these items to the students union and some other local support charities. Please keep an eye out on your emails as we will be sending information out over the coming weeks of where you can donate your items and what is done with the items you do donate. If you are leaving before we have sent out the information, please leave any belongings you wish to donate in your bedroom and clearly label the items letting us know that you are happy for us to donate the items on your behalf. 

  
  If you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact us via the accommodation office. 

• REF: 66-2303-223821 - Car Park Charges

  Your comment: Free parking for students would encourage better attendance. Or discounted now that charges are being introduced in May.

  Our response:

  Many thanks for your email.

  Parking charges were paused temporarily during the pandemic but were reintroduced some time ago. The only charges that are commencing again from May are for visitors who use the Pay and Display car parks near the Arts Centre. There has been a delay in replacing the machines to accept cards rather than cash, to align with the University being a cashless campus for some time now.

  We do pride ourselves on the car park fees being very reasonable and are proud that Aberystwyth University was recently ranked amongst the top 10 cheapest student places in the UK.

  The income received for the car parks contributes directly towards helping to maintaining the roads around all University campuses.

• REF: 66-2303-2625015 - Temperature in Hugh Owen Lecture Rooms

  Your comment: The lecture and seminar rooms tend to be too warm. Especially in Hugh Owen, radiators tend to be on full temperature all of the time which makes people feel tired during teaching.

  Our response:

  Thank you for bringing the heating problem in the Hugh Owen building to our attention.  We have looked into the matter and replaced and added valves on to most of the radiators, they can now be controlled to desired temperature.

  It has been reported that the work is now complete and hopefully the area is a more comfortable area to study/work.

• REF: 66-2302-337228 - Music Practice Rooms

  Your comment: I was wondering if it would be possible for there to be a space for music scholars to practise on campus in the future as sometimes housemates are not very chill about the noise some instruments produce. Preferably with a piano as currently the only place to practise piano is by the old college and walking into town and back makes the half hour practise session not always worth it.

  Our response:

  Thank you for your Tell Us Now comment. 

  There are a number of bookable rooms available for students which are suitable for music such as: 
  •    Rosser Lounge
  •    Art Centre
  •    PJM Amenity
  Space can be booked out in the SU and in Pantycelyn for playing music. Significantly, some rooms in Pantycelyn (e.g the Ystafell Gyffredin Hŷn / Senior Common Room and Y Lolfa Fach) has a piano students can use.
  Rooms can be booked via this link: https://ystafellaberrooms.simplybook.it/v2/#book/service/12/count/1/ 

• REF: 66-2301-3342413 - Gender Neutral Signs

  Your comment: I think it's really great that the bathrooms across campus have access to menstruation products, regardless of the gender of the bathroom, but I don't necessarily like how the signs about them refer to people who menstruate as women. The association with women can be really harmful to a lot of trans* and gender non-conforming people. Whilst I understand that it does statistically affect people who identify as women more, it seems a little dismissive of the trans* and GNC community here within Aber. It's great that such inclusion is being encouraged, as well as highlighting global period poverty, but would it not be more inclusive to use terms such as 'people who menstruate' instead of 'women', just because it disregards entire collectives of people within one word? I personally think it's for the better, and would be a more positive reflection on the values the university promotes if gender inclusive language were used.

  Our response:

  Thank you for your comments - and to confirm that this is already under review as we are looking to change supplier of the products used across the University. This will lead to updating the signage and information to include more inclusive language. Our hope is that this work will be undertaken in time for the start of the 2023-24 Academic Year.

 22/23 Semester 1

• REF: 66-2212-9131205 - MEQ's should be completed at home

  Your comment: We have been asked to complete MEQ's in class for every module, and only given a few minutes to do them. We should be given these to do away from class, so we have more time, and those of us that can't think and type quickly actually have an opportunity to complete them. I have plenty of feedback that I'd like to give, but am not able to do so. 

  Our response:

  Thank you for your Tell Us Now comment. 

  Wherever possible, we like to conduct MEQ’s during teaching time. This is because our previous data and experience has shown that when MEQs are conducted outside of the lecture room – for students to complete in their own time – our response rate falls extremely low. These low response rates will go forward and impact our data in terms of reliability and validity. Additionally, our system is currently not set up to allow for both in class and external MEQ completions as this could potentially result in some students submitting numerous MEQ responses. In terms of not having enough time to complete the MEQ, we do ask all lecturers to allow for 10-15 minutes to complete the MEQ which we previously thought is an adequate amount of time to complete the MEQ including the free text answer portion. However, we will review this before our next MEQ period.

• REF: 66-2212-7489521 - AberCard Cash Top Up

  Your comment: Please can we be allowed to pay for things on campus using cash, or at least be allowed to top up my AberCard using cash? I use cash to help me budget. 

  Our response:

  Thank you for your Tell Us Now regarding the ability to be able to top up your Aber Card with Cash. You can do this at the Student Union Reception desk, as they still do accept cash. 

• REF: 66-2211-4670324 - Thank You Security

  Your comment: I want to take a minute to thank the entirety of the Security Team staff who always come to you when you call them no matter the time of day and are the most friendly staff I've ever dealt with on campus. Your efforts are recognized and are very much appreciated

  Our response:

  Thank you for your feedback, the team very much appreciate such a positive reaction, particularly from someone in our student community.

  Diolch yn fawr iawn,

 21/22 Semester 2

• REF:66-2207-3073314 - Air conditioning in the Arts Centre

  Your comment: Can Air Conditioning be installed in the Arts Centre? Heat in summer during graduation is nothing unusual - and this would make everyone's graduation more comfortable.

  Our response:

  The current system was installed in 1967 which disperses air into the Great Hall and throughout the Arts Centre, unfortunately there is no control to direct it only to the Great Hall. We have installed temporary portable air cooling into the Air Handling Unit, but a major limiting factor is that air cannot be recirculated, due to both COVID considerations and the extraordinary levels of CO2 that are generated during a graduation session. This means that we cannot benefit from the continual recycle of cooling air as you would with your cars a/c (windows up), we can only have direct intake air at whatever the ambient temperature may be, which is then extracted after completing a through cycle. 

  A planned major refurbishment of the Arts Centre is going to include new air handling units, which will be able to dehumidify and cool the intake air.

• REF:66-2205-8942009 - Using herbicides on campus

  Your comment: I think we should stop the use of herbicides on campus.

  Our response:

  Thank you for taking the time to complete the university Tell Us Now form concerning weed spraying.

  The use of Herbicides is kept to a minimum here at Aberystwyth to treat our weeds. When we do spray, it's to control and manage growth along building walls, and around signs, assist in reducing the need for strimming and improve the visual appearance of grass growth around our campuses. We apply it to footpath surfaces and roadside channels, as if left unchecked, pathways and paving can quickly become unsightly and hazardous and dangerous. We have reduced the number of times we spray and only apply it to footpaths and roadside channels twice a year (in April/May and September), regular sweeping of our roads and edges have assisted further with weed control and reduced the amount of chemical use.

  The chemical herbicide used is based on a substance called glyphosate, which controls all types of vegetation. Glyphosate has extremely low toxicity to animals and poses minimal risk to humans. Glyphosate is shown as the most cost-effective method of controlling weeds, and we continue to review the Government and the Health and Safety Executive's advice on the use of weed killers as research continues to develop in this area. We also have and use a flame gun to reduce herbicide use and this is used when we need to control weeds outside the above period and on paved areas for any special events.

  As you will see when you walk around our campuses and woodlands, we have several natural areas where we do not use any herbicide and have allowed these areas to naturally develop with limited management to control and maintain a safe working and study facility. This forms part of our Landscape Management Plan which was approved by Exec in 2021 where a joint working party was set up to develop a long-term conservation plan for Penglais Campus Grounds. The party included representatives of the Ceredigion Branch of the Welsh Historic Gardens Trust, and officers and staff of Aberystwyth University from IBERS, H&S (Conservation & Environment) Sports Centre, Estates. Thus, ensuring we continue to maintain our historic Grade II* listed and Green Flag status.

  As the campus is a vibrant and heavily used landscape with many different uses and stakeholder aspirations, we try to manage and carefully meet everyone's expectations.

• REF:66-2205-273206 - No mow campus?

  Your comment: Given that it is No Mow May and that a report has just come out about a 60% decline in insect numbers in the UK how much of the 'lawn' space will be set aside this year for wildflowers? Could we reconsider the extensive mowing policy currently employed at Aber Uni?

  Our response:

  Thank you for raising important concerns about biodiversity on campus. We have a detailed landscape management policy in place for our Penglais Campus, which was developed by experts and is designed to promote biodiversity and conservation of the landscape. In line with the expert advice, there are many areas where the grass is not cut to promote wildlife. We have several areas on our campuses that are managed to assist with the natural wildlife, and we have been working with several organisations to develop this. Recently we achieved our Silver Hedgehog Campus Friendly Award and are currently working with our Environment Department to obtain our Bee Friendly status, as we have several hives situated on our grounds.

  We welcome feedback, to discuss how we can further develop our policy, including adding additional zones where grass is left uncut. We would be very keen to arrange a meeting to discuss this further with you; if you would like us to arrange a meeting, then please contact us on sports@aber.ac.uk 

• REF:66-2205-97603 - MEQ results

  Your comment: I think that it should be possible to view the results of modules previous MEQs when choosing modules for next year. This way students can take previous students points of view into account to make a better informed decision when it comes to picking new modules. Staff should also be able to publish any changes made as result of MEQs as well

  Our response:

  Currently, any changes made as a result of student feedback via MEQs is emailed to all students registered on the module and uploaded to Blackboard. I do hope you have found the way we publish any changes made as result of MEQs useful? I welcome any other suggestions or feedback on the current process.

  Thanks, for your great suggestion, this is one we are going to be taking forward. I have already started to make enquiries as to where is best to host this information and I have started to put the necessary steps together to action this our end. I do not envisage any issues with actioning this, and I will keep you updated with our progress.

• REF:66-2205-5297903 - Wildlife meadow at PJM

  Your comment: I think we should turn the area between the bridge and PJM into a wildflower meadow (either side of the path). It would look so pretty, be low maintenance and great for the bees. According to The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, the UK has lost 97% of its wildflower meadows since the 1930s!!! So it would be amazing for marketing if we put them back and also look so nice for us as students.

  Our response:

  Thank you for getting in touch and for your comments about introducing a wildlife meadow around Pentre Jane Morgan.

  Your comments and suggestions are much appreciated. – You may be aware that we have already taken steps in this direction with the introduction of the ‘Grass Wildlife Barrier’ around the perimeter of the PJM site. This was implemented in 2019 with input from the students and it has worked well.

  We are continually looking at what we can do to improve our sites, if you would like to further discuss, please email accommodation@aber.ac.uk 

• REF:66-2203-9209410 - Timetabling changes

  Your comment: All my modules for this term appeared on my timetable by January, so I arranged my work schedule around them (I work full time), but by the time term actually started they had changed (one to a completely different day and one to a different time on the same day), so I had to renegotiate my entire work schedule. If there had been a note to say that the timetable was provisional this could have been avoided. Also last term our study skills module was timetabled every week on the official timetable, but only actually held on some weeks, and we weren't told whether there would be a class that week until very short notice, sometimes only the day before. It often seems like the uni forgets that lots of students work around their degree and need some kind of certainty about when they will be required on campus.

  Our response:

  Thank you for contacting TUN regarding your timetable.
  
  I’m sorry to hear that there were late changes to your timetable in January and that this had implications for your work schedule. The timetable does sometimes change in the period prior to teaching, particularly if there is an important issue that needs to be resolved. However, in line with your suggestion, for next academic session, we will ensure that this issue is flagged in the red banner notice on the student record timetable.
  
  Regarding the uncertainty surrounding the dates for your study skills module, we will raise this concern with the relevant module co-ordinators so that this type of situation can be avoided on future occasions.

• REF:66-2203-7974909 - Campus shuttle bus

  Your comment: Please could we have a shuttle bus on campus to help us avoid the hills. For my friends with asthma or people with mobility issues it’s difficultly to get from lectures in Edward Llwyd up to P5 in 15 mins especially when lectures run. I also have depression and think that if I was able to access a shuttle bus (even if it was just once every hour or less) so that I don’t have to walk back to my accommodation I would definitely attend significantly more lectures.

  Our response:

  Many thanks for your enquiry. Aberystwyth University is located on a hill and many say that it one of the reasons that they chose to come here is due to the wonderful view of the bay. We have addressed many physical issues to increase accessibility for all with regards to the estate, but there are some instances where solutions are not possible.

  It is not possible to provide a shuttle bus around the campus as the cost implications are not proportionate as we have historically found that the buses are not well used. In addition we are supporting the WG initiative of becoming carbon neutral by 2030 and support many sustainable initiatives.

  Can we suggest that you liaise with your personal tutor to see if there is anything that can be done in terms of your timetable or advising tutors that you may be a little late to lectures.

• REF:66-2203-6792503 - Composting on campus

  Your comment: It is pleasing to see the switch to compostable containers in the catering and hospitality across campus. However, there seem to be no composting bins? This seems to be something that would be easy to implement. It could even, be linked with research into energy extraction from compostable ware, or it's potential use on crops etc.? Missed opportunity?

  Our response:

  Many thanks for your Tell us Now submission in respect of onsite composting.

  Unfortunately, as you have identified, the University does not currently have composting options on Campus, with the infrastructure in the area not currently available. Likewise our current Dry Mixed Recycling waste stream is unable to accept compostable materials, and as a result this material will be required to be disposed of via the General Waste stream. Any general waste that cannot be recycled will go through an incineration process, with some energy creation benefits.

  We can however accept compostable packaging through our food waste supplier, and the University is soon to undertake a review of both Dry Mixed Recycling and Food Waste provision as part of forthcoming changes to Welsh Government Legislation. For further information visit https://gov.wales/increasing-recycling-businesses

  So, whilst the current provision is only available for waste left within Hospitality outlets, we hope that enhanced food waste options will be available around campus in more public areas in the near future and your feedback will be taken into account as part of this review,

• REF:66-2202-4328309 - Study spaces in town

  Your comment: Really wish the in town study space would hurry up and be complete! would make printing alot easier for us in town if there is a printer there also!

  Our response:

  The new town centre study space has undergone the internal renovation work and is almost ready for students to occupy. We are however awaiting Listed Building Consent from CADW for the relocation of the front entrance to provide safe and level access to the space. Once this is permission is received, we can complete the final piece of work. All other permissions have been received.

 21/22 Semester 1

• REF:66-2111-940116 - Contacting accommodation services

  Your comment: When we call the number 01970 622900, we can't easily reach the service needed, this is particularly a problem in case of emergency. First there is a message in Welsh that lasts 20 seconds. Then, there is a message in English that also lasts 20 seconds. It's only after 40 seconds, that we actually can choose which service we want to call. I believe this number is the one we need to dial in case of emergency. Therefore, I don't understand why the system put in place is so inefficient. It would seem logical to immediately offer the possibility to contact the security. Then, offer to press 1 for Welsh, 2 for English. And eventually offer the choice for the service.

  Our response:

  Many thanks for your query. We are always appreciative and always looking for ideas of continuous improvement. The University is supportive of the Welsh language act which stipulates that all correspondence must be bilingual. We are currently investigating technological advancements to enable us to automat our switchboard further but this will take some time. We have put temporary measures in place throughout the pandemic to ensure that staff can still be contacted to ensure service delivery. All numbers on the x2900 option also have direct dial numbers, so, if there is a regular number that needs to be contacted, this can be dialled directly. For emergencies there are phones within all academic buildings that publish how to access Security in an emergency which is not via this method. Out of hours the answer phone message is not in operation and is picked up directly by security to reduce the time people before the call is answered. There is also a full telephone directory on the University’s website

• REF:66-2111-1277005 - Cold teaching rooms

  Your comment: EL0.26 is particularly cold. I understand the need for ventilation but when the room is genuinely as cold, if not colder, than outside it seems a bit over the top. If every single student has to bring in scarves and big coats, to sit inside the lecture hall, there’s got to be a problem. It’s so cold half of us end up with hand cramps trying to write our notes. This is actively hindering our academic progress.

  Our response:

  We have carried out some investigations and it seems that we have an issue with a controller for the heating. A contractor is looking into this and hopefully will be sorted asap Thank you

   

• REF:66-2110-684206 - Emails in Welsh

  Your comment: Struggling to see/engage with emails as I don't understand Welsh. Can there be an option to receive in English or Welsh? I appreciate the opposite would be said for anyone who can't understand English.

  Our response:

  Thank you for contacting us. Correspondence to groups of students are sent in both Welsh and English in accordance with the Welsh Language standards and the University’s bilingual policies.

  We are proud to be an inclusive and bilingual institution and we want all of our students to have had a positive experience of the Welsh language and its culture during their time at Aberystwyth University. Universities in Wales and many other institutions are also subject to Welsh Language Standards Regulations. These statutory standards explain which services need to be provided in Welsh, and have the main principle that the Welsh language must not be treated less favourably.

  The Welsh Language Standards (standard 4) requires that correspondence to several recipients must be bilingual and that the Welsh version is ‘not treated less favourably’. To comply with this requirement, Aberystwyth University communications are generally set out with the Welsh text on the left and the English text on the right with a bilingual subject line. If you have an example of an email where the English text is not displayed correctly or difficult to read, please could you email a copy to canolfangymraeg@aber.ac.uk and confirm the type of device you are using to view the email.

• REF:66-2109-2122128 - Transport to Llanbadarn

  Your comment: Please can the university provide a free shuttle bus to the Llanbadarn campus like previous years (opposite the main reception building) taking into consideration the new start times this year. I suffer from asthma and each week I have a 9am, starting this coming monday (4/10/2021) at the Llanbadarn campus and fear I wont make it to lecture. It would be deeply appreciated, thank you.

  Our response:

  The Students Union and the University are currently working with the bus company to encourage them to change their timetable to arrive for the start of lectures.

  The number 301 Mid Wales Travel bus provides a shuttle service from town through the Penglais Campus to Llanbadarn. Please see below link: https://www.midwalestravel.co.uk/sites/default/files/301%20New%2024072018.pdf 

   

• REF:66-2107-1117211 - Online learning and exams

  Your comment: Teaching should be optionally hybrid. I know the university wants to return to in-person teaching, which I agree with, however there should be a hybrid option for those who aren't able to make it, or would prefer to attend the session remotely. For example, instead of using Panopto to record the videos, lectueres could instead create a Teams broadcast, so that the in-person lecture is also transmitted over Teams. (given the current capability of the lecturing PC's, it would be a relatively easy switch from a technical perspective.) Attendance tracking should be based on in-person attendance, and Teams-call attendance. I'm all for MOPS and stuff, but I personally don't always learn better from sitting in a lecture hall, it largely depends on the topic and sort of content. Likewise, in-person exams are horrible. I absolutely despise them on every level. I'm a high-performing student, achieving mostly firsts in modules, and I really find that in-person exams really harm my performance, and I know for a fact this is a feeling shared by many students. The anxiety, and pressure, of being placed into a silent exam hall, with hundreds of other students, with unseen questions, is a situation that makes it incredibly hard to achieve maximum potential. Not only is it a harsher environment, its highly unrealistic. Please, on behalf of all the students who perform better not-in-exams, keep exams online/not in an exam hall. It's better for everyone, and would make the experience so much better.

  Our response:

  Thank you for your comments on the teaching and learning environment and explaining how your experience has been affected by the changes over the past year and half. Much of this is under wholesale review, as you might imagine, and there are already several initiatives from various departments on a ‘blended learning’ approach to the delivery of teaching. It will not be standardised across the University, since different schemes and disciplines have different needs and modes of teaching. Many departments will be moving large group teaching online, partly at the request of students, but also as a partial mitigation of the current ongoing Covid issue. One of the complications to bear in mind, however, is just as there are students who express a wish to remain online for parts of their degree, so there are others who are firmly against it. Departments will need to make numerous judgements about the feasibility, the efficiency and the pedagogical value of any online provision, as they develop their future provision. Attendance will continue to be monitored, and the University is exploring alternative ways of carrying this out in the future.

  With regard to examinations, certain subjects are required to undertake formal, in-person, silent exam hall formats by the professional bodies that grant accreditation. The University is not at liberty to change that format for those students. That said, there are many considerations to take into account when settling on an assessment pattern for different degrees, and many departments are considering alternative formats for examinations that vary the more traditional format outlined above.

 20/21 Semester 2

• REF:66-2102-4933926 - Cascade calculator

  Your comment: We would like some clarification on access to the cascade calculator via student record, following release of term one results we gained access to this but it is now removed from our student record. Last years group had access for a few weeks at least whereas we have had access for less than a day. Is this a mistake or will we gain access back for this?

  Our response:

  The Cascade Calculator was removed because it had a system error. Our Information Services team have worked to fix the problem and it is available again from your Student Record. Thank you. 

 20/21 Semester 1

• REF:66-2012-8651202 - Prize vouchers

  Your comment: I wanted to say that me and other students do not like that every prize draw or similar things always give out Amazon vouchers. Instead, we think it would be better if you gave out vouchers for local restaurants or takeout (especially good during the pandemic to support the local businesses), or maybe to some more ethical businesses. Thank you.

  Our response:

  Thank you for your comment regarding the engagement prizes. The University recognises your ethical concerns regarding the use of Amazon for the prize vouchers, and it is something to which we have given thought in the past. However, while would love to offer AberCard payments or local business vouchers as prizes, we are concerned that since these prizes will be won by final year students who are on the verge of leaving Aberystwyth (or indeed, as in this particular year, living and learning away from Aberystwyth), and who will find it difficult to use effectively. Nonetheless, we will make sure that we consider a mix of prizes, taking into consideration that not everyone will be in the area and we will also be looking into sourcing ethical companies. I hope this goes some way to meeting your concerns.

   

• REF:66-2011-7465705 - Email subject lines

  Your comment: It would be helpful if emails began with the language in english, or at least had the subject line in english, especially or specifically for the english speaking students. During a busy schedule it is difficult to know which emails are important to read and which you can wait to reply to, it would be easier if we could read them without having to open them completely. Its wonderful to have a bilingual campus however this particular order of language in emails is not helpful and is slightly counterproductive. If they were switched so english was first and welsh second it would be much more helpful. Thanks so much

  Our response: 

  Universities in Wales are subject to Welsh Language legislation that came into force in April 2018. The legislation sets out standards for services that need to be provided in Welsh, and which are based on a central principle that the Welsh language must not be treated less favourably. Apart from the legislation in Wales, Aberystwyth University has a long-standing commitment to the Welsh language and I’m very glad that you support this point of view. To comply with a specific requirement in the legislation, the University’s communications are generally set out with the Welsh text on the left and the English text on the right. Where possible the University records communication language preferences, and endeavours to send out information in the language of choice of the recipient, be it Welsh or English. However, currently when we communicate messages for everyone these are sent bilingually and this includes the Subject line. Your feedback is appreciated and we will look carefully at how the Subject line is used while continuing to comply with the legislation.

19/20 Semester 2

• REF:66-2002-5632528 - Late submission policy

  Your comment: The university policy of granting late submissions an instant fail is punitive and unfair. In instances where technology fails or other elements outside the student’s control go wrong, these are not valid reasons the student should be punished. Other universities have an escalating scale depending on how late the submission is, which I think Aberystwyth should adopt.

  Our response:

  Aberystwyth University’s policies on e-submission, extensions and special circumstances exist to ensure that students are not punished for circumstances which occur beyond their control. However, deadlines for written work are taken very seriously and students need to manage their time responsibly so that they can submit work on time. Aberystwyth University does not operate a sliding scale for late submissions. Coursework should be submitted according to individual departmental requirements and published deadlines. Work submitted after the deadline will be awarded a zero unless a student has been granted an extension. The circumstances in which extensions may be granted and what to do if an extension is not possible or permitted are clearly set out. When something happens beyond a student’s control, and it is too late for an extension request, students may submit a special circumstances form. That said, problems with computers or printing are not considered a valid reason because students should not leave submissions until the last moment and they should allow sufficient time to resolve technological issues before a deadline. Nevertheless we would take, and have previously taken, unilateral action to extend deadlines where there has been a system wide failure. Clear guidance is provided about submitting electronically and what to do if students encounter technology issues. https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/media/departmental/informationservices/e-learning/failed-submission-policy.pdf

  a. Attempt the submission in sufficient time before the deadline for any problems to be dealt with before the submission is due.

  b. Attempt any practice submissions that are made available using the computer they are planning to use for actual submissions. If their own personal computers are not able to be used for submission, they should use the university computers available in a number of locations across the University.

  c. Check that their work has been successfully submitted immediately after submitting. Advice about how to check submissions is available via AberLearn Blackboard as well as on the Information Services FAQs site.

  d. Report any problems to both their department and the E-learning Team (elearning@aber.ac.uk) as soon as possible.

  e. Save copies of any emails sent by the system confirming submission, as well as taking screenshots of any error messages.

• REF:66-2002-2873624 - Pronoun pins

  Your comment: Train staff to look for and respect pronoun pins. The Su provides them but there is no point in wearing them if you still constantly get misgendered

  Our response: 

  We ask that all staff do the online Equality and Diversity, and Unconscious Bias training modules. We have also published our Strategic Equality Plan 2020-2024 which has 5 strands, one of which is to ‘Ensure our staff are effectively trained in equality, diversity, and inclusion issues’ – which will involve a lot of face to face training being rolled out over the next four years, covering all the protected characteristics, including gender identity. We have so far delivered face to face training on ‘Dignity and respect in the learning environment’, ‘Bystander Intervention’ training, and ‘Is it alright to say? Equalities language’ training.

• REF:66-2001-2127128 - Red box project

  Your comment: There are signs advertising the “red box project” regarding period poverty in the Hugh Owen bathrooms, claiming that they have red boxes in every bathroom with free period products. However there are no red boxes, at least in the ground floor (gender neutral & disabled access toilet). Surely if you advertise this there should actually be boxes provided?

  Our response: If there is a red box project poster there this means there should be boxes filled with products there. Thank you for letting us know that the box is empty - we will let our Facilities team know and ask that something is done.

• REF:66-2104-5938715 - Campus accessibility

  Your comment: the accessibility on campus is poor, the white and yellow lines on the edge of steps are faded and as a visually impaired student this is concerning,there is a lack of signage in places and steep areas of the campus need more railing

  Our response:

  The University is continually looking to improve access to its buildings and services, acknowledging that the geography of the Penglais campus in particular can lead to difficulty for individuals with accessibility or mobility requirements. Maintenance of existing measures in place to assist those with accessibility and maintenance requirements also represents an ongoing programme of works, and for example you may have noted that the edging on steps around the Hugh Owen Building have been repainted over recent weeks. As you may already be aware, the University has developed and published Access Guides for buildings and teaching spaces, through a partnership with AccessAble, which are available at: https://www.accessable.co.uk/organisations/aberystwyth-university. The Access Guides attempt to provide any users with relevant information relating to particular buildings and/or teaching spaces, to inform any visits based on the individual’s own requirements. The University also has an Accessible Aber Group, which meets at regular intervals to consider projects aimed at increasing the accessibility for students on campus. The installation of the Hugh Owen Building Evacuation Lift is one such projects which has been supported by the Accessible Aber Group. Should you have any specific areas on campus where you feel that particular attention is required, we would be more than happy to receive that information to inform planning of future works provide feedback to the Accessible Aber Group.