REF:66-2009-4312730 - Online teaching concerns

Your comment: I am concerned about the impact that online teaching will have on the outcome of not just my degree, but on all students, particularly those who are completing their degrees this year. While I think it was definitely the right decision to move online in terms of safety, I feel like communication between staff and students has been a bit lax at times. Realistically I think it would be extremely ambitious to expect students back on campus before Christmas, and I feel that the decision to examine whether it is safe to return on campus on a weekly basis is a bit frustrating as it seems as if students and staff are being treated as if they are expendable. Furthermore, I have recently been alerted that there is currently no plan to implement a ‘no detriment’ policy for examinations or assessments such as the one used at the end of last academic year. Although I appreciate that this is an unprecedented situation, I think the leadership of this university should consider how these circumstances affect staff and students and their wellbeing. I know it would be greatly appreciated if a ‘no detriment’ policy or any similar plans to assist students and staff in completing and marking work was implemented, as the expectation for both students and staff to complete work online in the same way they would in person with little indication of what will happen will almost certainly take a toll on academic staff and students who are already negatively impacted by the situation.

Our response:

Thank you for raising these concerns. Please rest assured that, whatever circumstances are thrown at us due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation, academic staff across the department are determined to ensure that all of our students receive a high-quality education and achieve outcomes reflective of their ability and effort. I am concerned to hear that you feel that communication between staff and students has been a bit lax - this is certainly not our intent - if there are specific issues with teaching staff not being in contact please do get in touch with your head of department so that I can address and resolve the problem. I am confident that the University Executive does not perceive either staff or students as "expendable", indeed the University's commitment to work with local authorities including Public Health Wales and Cyngor Sir Ceredigion serves to demonstrate that AU is responding to and prioritising the health and well-being of our whole community. Nevertheless, I understand your concerns in this regard and I invite you to share these with senior colleagues who are directly involved in decisions pertaining to the pandemic, you can do this via the coronavirus helpline coronavirus@aber.ac.uk. As I am sure you are aware the Department of English and Creative Writing has robust and fair procedures in place for dealing with individual special circumstances - this has not changed, although the way in which we deliver academic and pastoral support is, for the time being, limited to online appointments. If you would like to discuss your academic progress then please do contact your Personal Tutor (check your student record for their contact details), Year Tutor, or Director of Learning and Teaching - who will be more than happy to help. If you have concerns regarding your well-being please contact our Welfare Coordinator. Your comments regarding the no detriment policy are duly noted and I will ensure that this feedback is shared with colleagues in Academic Registry for their consideration. It is inevitable, as you note in your comments, that the current circumstances will have an impact on both staff and students. As your Head of Department I am working hard to ensure that this impact is kept to a minimum and that we can all continue to work in an environment that is positive, supportive, and community focused. Thank you again for your comments and can I please reiterate that you are welcome to discuss any concerns you may have with me directly.