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Aberdeen University Campus, Aberdeen University LOCATORS.
Picture by Scott Baxter 09/04/2020
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Thousands of students have called for an Aberdeen University U-turn over proposals for a Covid ‘safety net’.
Adopted by a number of institutions across the UK, a no detriment policy (NDP) would ensure that students’ grades are protected from the negative impacts of the pandemic.
But the north-east university’s senate, which is responsible for academic matters relating to teaching and research, decided against the proposal back in February.
With a third lockdown announced in January, students across the country have petitioned for no detriment policies as the pandemic continues to disrupt learning and teaching.
The Russell Group announced it did not think no detriment policies are necessary or appropriate this year. The statement explains universities have taken steps this year to ensure all students are given a fair grade.
Following the statement, 22 Russell Group Students’ Unions, Associations, and Guilds signed a letter addressed to Russell Group Vice-Chancellors, calling on the Russell Group “to recognise that all students continue to be affected by the pandemic” and demanding a no detriment policy.
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Aberdeen University has agreed to hold an “emergency” meeting to reconsider the adoption of a special policy giving students impacted by the pandemic more flexibility with their grades.
The university’s senate – which is responsible for academic matters relating to teaching and research – has recently agreed to throw out a proposed “no detriment” policy, designed to afford extra leeway to academics whose studies have been negatively affected by learning remotely.
Under the policy, more flexibility would be provided when calculating final grades, giving markers the ability to take the effects of the virus on the student’s work into account.
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Sir Ian Diamond’s appointment as Britain’s national statistician has been called into question by a trade union chief amid growing anger over the “scandalous” way he departed Aberdeen University.
Carlo Morelli, the president of the University and College Union Scotland, said the row over Sir Ian’s pay-off proved he is “not at all appropriate” for the prestigious post.
Dr Carlo Morelli, president of UCU Scotland.
Investigations launched
In August 2019, Sir Ian was appointed by the Queen to be the next chief executive of the UK Statistics Authority (UKSA), permanent secretary of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and head of the Government Statistical Service, having previously served as principal of the Granite City’s ancient university for seven years.