Summary:

Watch the Video Here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=207tQds4X9U

Sign, share and support this student led campaign to save the esteemed lecturer Donna Dalgetty.  Heriot-Watt University has ignored student interests and cut off the best staff member they had; one who went beyond the call of duty to teach, protect and care for all her students. She has won two Learning and Teaching Awards during her short 2 years at HWU, and single-handedly improved the welfare available for students through brave and innovative action.

This is a gross injustice; our voices deserve to be heard. Donna is willing to fight for us, for the reputation of the university and the level of education we receive. Now it’s time we fight for her!

Non- HW students- please sign and share to support in solidarity also! We appreciate each and every single one of you. Thankyou.

The juicy details:

The #SaveDonna campaign is passionately led by Heriot Watt University students in Edinburgh. There was outcry and outrage when the university announced they were not renewing Donna’s employment contract. Donna is a Biology lecturer by day, and student welfare advocate literally every other moment of her time (including holidays and weekends!). She goes out her way to support countless number of students in passing difficult assessments, whilst also supporting countless number of students through personal crises’.  This lecturer is incredible- she is unafraid to voice concerns at her School and the University, all to aid and protect her students. She has inspired many students to remain determined in their academic endeavours despite various hardships.

Donna also won two Learning and Teaching Oscars in her short two years at HWU. Not only this, but she supports multiple societies such as the Biological Sciences society, Students with Children and Brewing and Distilling as well as the student union. She has been nominated for many other awards outwith the university. She even contributed massively to the mentor system that the uni as a whole so desperately wants to improve.

HW students pay a fortune to attend this institution. The university claims to deeply care about the student learning experience. They also state that they want to improve the student welfare services available and make student feel supported. However, by letting Donna go, they have completely contradicted themselves; they cut out the main ally of student welfare. They cut out the lecturer who dedicated all her time to personally look after students- support them through academic, financial and personal issues, and champion the universities welfare services (Advice Hub and Counselling department for example).

The university and the school have cut off students main advocate for student welfare, and continue to shy away from student outcry at this action. This is a gross injustice.

 Students have a responsibility to have our voices heard- and our voices should hold the university to account. They neglected student views and contradicted their own values (of wanting to enhance the student learning experience) by cutting out the best staff member who enhanced the student experience.

Donna sacrificed a great deal to ensure students were safe and happy and able to pass their academics. Donna was unafraid to voice student concerns and issues within the school and the uni. It’s time we repaid that kindness by taking a course of action. We need to be unafraid, united and have our voices heard- together we can push for change.

The undersigned, demand the university re-hire Donna. Donna is the best staff member for improving the student learning experience, and such merit is easily worthy of a new staff role at HWU.