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ISSUE 658 10 OCT 2016 exepose.com
EXEPOSÉ
“The Uni seemed determined to crush my will” Students slam Exeter’s mitigation policy Inconsistencies between colleges are “completely unacceptable” says Guild
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HE University has made controversial changes to its mitigation policy in recent years – meaning that, in most cases, students cannot have marks raised and must instead rely on extensions and deferrals. Yet students across the University claim the system simply isn’t working. Mitigation policy across the University is decided on a department-bydepartment basis - something the Guild has dubbed “completely unacceptable.” During a 2015 Exeposé investigation into the mitigation process Bethan Jones, VP Education, commented: “It isn’t always clear how each college operates its mitigation procedure and more could be done to signpost students to clear information.” Harry Reeve’s manifesto as 2016/17 VP Education states an aim to “Collaborate closely with VP Welfare and Diversity in order to universalise and improve the Mitigation system across all colleges of discipline.” Commenting on recent student complaints, he said: “It’s really upsetting to hear that there are students struggling with the mitigation process,” adding: “inconsistency in its practice is completely unacceptable.” “Fortunately the University has started to recognise this, and so have convened a ‘Rapid Improvement Project’ to standardise mitigation practice across all the colleges. I hope the outcome of this project will resolve a lot of the current issues with mitigation, and be in place ready for January Exams.” Inconsistency across modules isn’t the only issue students have raised with Exeter’s mitigation process. While some subjects previously offered mark alterations in difficult and unforeseen personal circumstances, students in various disciplines have complained to Exeposé that the University is “no longer able to change marks to reflect any
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impact on your academic work.” One final year humanities student told Exeposé she applied for mitigation after an immediate family member was diagnosed with a terminal illness in August. To spend time with her family whilst completing her degree, she travels home every weekend. She has appealed to the department as she believes this will be detrimental to her marks – which are currently at a 74.5 average. However, she has been told the “only mitigation (the University) can offer is a deferral” – pushing back her graduation by a year. Professor Wendy Robinson, Academic Dean for Students said: “The University regularly reviews its quality assurance guidance to ensure that our policies and procedures maintain the high academic standards and rigour that the University of Exeter delivers.
The raising of marks cannot be fairly or consistently applied to all students Professor Wendy Robinson, Academic Dean for Students “As part of this regular review work in 2011, a Working Group was formed to discuss a number of issues with regard to mitigation, including the altering of marks. As a result of these discussions, it was agreed that the guidance should be changed to reflect the fact that the raising of marks could not be fairly or consistently applied to all students in all circumstances. “From 2012 onwards, the current wording has been implemented and recommends a deadline extension for assignments or deferral of examinations, or in exceptional circumstances, either the setting aside of marks where performance has been impacted or awarding of a proxy mark if circumstances are appropriate. We believe this is the most appropriate and fairest guidance.”
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