Dear Heads of the Anthropology Department,

The situation with Coronavirus is something none of us could have prepared for, both student body and teaching body, and has left us facing a multitude of problems when considering our learning and the progression of our course. We are writing as the student body to express our worries and concerns regarding the remainder of our first year, particularly in regards to assessments.

Some of the main points of concern right now amongst students are:

·       No access to library services

·       Stress and mental health issues

·       Lack of lectures across all areas of study

·       Lack of resources working from home (many students do not have access to WiFi, or WiFi that is adequate enough to access online resources and lectures)

·       Lack of compromise on assignments taking current situation into account

·       Lack of comprehensive communication on the future of our course

·       Lack of consideration that many students are now working as full time carers at home for siblings and family members, and having to use their time to volunteer to assist the community, or working as key workers

·       Many students now facing the loss of family members, or family members being taken extremely ill

It is truly appreciated that some members of staff are going the extra mile to assist students in this uncertain time, and that many members of staff are also slightly in the dark right now too regarding decisions being made.

However, as a group we have found the prospect of having to continue with assessments for all modules totally unfair and infeasible. With HALF the contact time we were supposed to have for many of the modules, and close to that for others, we are left confused and distressed with not enough explanation on content. Being first year students, we are truly in the dark as (for most of us) we have had no previous university experience.

Particularly for essays that involve practical fieldwork, we have been left stumped. Whilst lecturers have suggested online methods of research, this now leaves us having to face an entirely new way of researching and learning which we were not taught in the minimal lectures we had. This also leaves those who do not have access to internet/good enough connection at an extreme disadvantage. Many of those who are now caring for family members and assisting in there communities do not  have the time to be facing such a huge change in an essay that was otherwise going to be based on something entirely different.

As we supported and stood in solidarity for our staff during the strikes, we ask that you now show this same solidarity for us in understanding the extremely overwhelming nature of our position. With this in mind, we ask the university to consider scrapping some, if not all, assessments for first year Anthropology students as many other universities have now done. The least we ask for is clear and definitive answers to questions on marking considerations, deadline extensions and what is now in place of face to face exams.

Thank you,

Anthropology first year students.