UoB has suggested they will ask students to complete online timed examinations as an alternative to exams.

For most students, this is impractical and for some impossible - What if there are issues with technology? What if internet connection issues disrupt exam work? What about people who do not have a suitable private place to complete this work in during a lockdown? The alternative which has been offered is late graduation, which the deputy vice chancellor has rightly advised against taking - Where does this leave students who have not arranged for this, including international students and others who will suffer practical/financial challenges? 

Other universities have arrangements including for exam assessments to be taken as normal deadlined essays, giving students the chance to complete work in their own time. More importantly other universities have told their students that their grades will be protected by a guarantee that their final results will be at least in line with their predicted grades - Why are these solutions unworkable for UoB? 

We, the undersigned, call for UoB to reconsider their decision about the use of online timed examinations and to consider more practical options which give students a greater security. We, like all working at the university, are facing challenges we could not possibly have anticipated or prepared for and this solution does not properly address that.

If you agree, and want to see this acted on, please sign and share, as time is limited!