We are calling for Bath Spa University to follow in the footsteps of other UK universities, such as Exeter, Southampton, Edinburgh and Warwick, and implement a no-detriment policy. Over the past year our university education has been heavily impacted by the strikes and now COVID-19, meaning that we have had severely limited access to teaching and resources.
 
The petition is asking Bath Spa University to take into account these extraordinary and unprecedented conditions, with the introduction of a no-detriment policy. Many students will be struggling to study in an environment that will not allow them to demonstrate their full potential.
 
The no-detriment policy would mean that students would still have to complete assignments, but without the fear that this will negatively impact the grades we have worked so hard towards during our time at University. It would mean that as long as students obtain a pass mark of over 40 in future assessments, their average will remain the same as, or higher than, the average already attained. If students achieve higher than their current average in further assessments, then they can still raise their final grade.
 
We believe a no-detriment policy is the only way Bath Spa University can fairly grade any assessments left for the academic year. If Bath Spa students were to come out with a lower grade because of differing policies amongst universities, we may be at a disadvantage when it comes to employability.
 
We hope the only fair and reasonable decision is for Bath Spa to adopt the no-detriment policy other UK universities have. By adopting the no-detriment policy Bath Spa is reflecting the hard work the students have done over the last 2/3 years and ensuring that COVID-19 does not ruin our chances of getting our justified results. We’d like to finish by saying we appreciate all the measures Bath Spa University has organised so far but do hope Bath Spa look into following these universities and do the right thing.
 
Here are some articles explaining the policy in more detail from Exeter University, Edinburgh University and Warwick University:
 
https://thetab.com/uk/exeter/2020/03/25/exeter-uni-implements-no-detriment-policy-for-summer-assessments-47331
 
https://thetab.com/uk/edinburgh/2020/03/26/breaking-no-remaining-exams-assessments-can-negatively-impact-your-course-grades-for-this-semester-65113
 
https://theboar.org/2020/03/breaking-summer-assessments-will-not-adversely-affect-final-grade/
 
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