The University of Waikato has decided to implement significant changes to its assessment framework without consulting a critical stakeholder: the students. The proposed assessment structure changes include:

• A maximum of three overall assessments per paper, with no single assessment worth more than 60% of the final grade.
• No marks awarded for activities such as small weekly quizzes, discussions, participation, or attendance.
• Only one opportunity per paper to resubmit an assessment where the original mark is between 40-49%

These changes would be implemented for 100 level papers next year, and all other papers in 2028. This includes all undergraduate and post graduate papers.

These alterations were seemingly endorsed on the students behalf by the Waikato Students' Union (WSU) president, yet we were not part of any dialogue or discussion to voice our concerns or preferences. The academic staff were asked for input seemingly after the decisions had already been made, and were told shortly after that negotiations were over. These changes would mean that every subject and paper are treated the same, and the academic staff will not have the freedom to assess students in a way that best suits the learning of the content in the paper. These changes are rushed and not thought through properly, and we are unaware of any evidence or data supporting these changes.

This lack of consultation is deeply concerning. Education should be a collaborative process in which students and academic staff are co-creators of their educational journey. When decisions are made behind closed doors without an inclusive discussion, it not only undermines our trust but also threatens the integrity of our educational experiences. It is unacceptable for changes of this magnitude to occur without giving a voice to those it affects the most: the students.

The goal of every university should be to enhance learning, not hinder it. Yet, without the input of those navigating these educational waters daily, how can these changes truly be in our best interest? It is the responsibility of the university to ensure transparency and inclusivity in decision-making processes. Academic staff concerns must actually be listened to and used to inform the changes.

We urge the University of Waikato to stop the current implementation of the assessment framework changes and immediately initiate an inclusive consultation process. This means engaging directly with students and academic staff to gather insights and perspectives. By doing so, the university can create a system that reflects the needs and aspirations of its community.

Let us stand together to advocate for a more inclusive approach to education. Sign this petition if you believe that students' voices matter and that they deserve to be properly represented at the table in shaping their educational future.