Dear University of Chester Students
As your Vice President Education, it brings me great pleasure to reassure you that the University has begun looking at how to implement a Student safety net policy for 2020/2021. I want to express my thanks to the University for making a decision that shows their support in ensuring students will not be negatively affected due to these uncertain, turbulent and unprecedented times.
The details of the policy are being worked through, but I can assure you that this will be a comprehensive package which has students’ academic interests at the forefront and will protect the academic interest of all levels of taught study. The most important aspect for students to take away is that you will be supported and your hard work, determination and grit during these times won’t go to waste. I am in constant communication with the University Registrar, Director of Academic Quality and Standards and University Senior Leadership and I am confident this policy will be something which we can be proud of.
We are there to represent students’ interests, keep them high on the University’s agenda throughout the pandemic and challenge areas which we feel don’t go far enough. Although the University put in mitigation policies and mechanisms to ensure students were protected, we thought students needed and deserved more. Students asked for support from their Union and lobbied for a ‘no detriment policy’ and that is exactly what we put in place with the University! You said, we did.
Throughout Term 1, the Students’ Union have consistently urged the University to implement a ‘no detriment policy’ and were told it would not be put in place due to the added steps departments have taken to mitigate against the risk of students not reaching their potential. We did not accept this! We have reiterated the feedback from students and worked hard to convey the pressing issues students face every day. I’m proud of all the activists who have helped me never forget our message, fighting for the policy to be reinstated and now we know the University has acted in the best interest of our students.
I want to say how proud I am of the whole team at the Students’ Union for their continued support in pressing this issue; my fellow sabbatical officers and staff who were pivotal in collated information and reading reports, offering advice and wisdom. Even more importantly, I want to thank every Chester student who has got in touch with us throughout these difficult months to demand better support for their academic interests. This is a primary example of how the student movement can enact positive changes.
Although we do not have the final policy set yet, please be reassured this positive, collaborative action taken by you, the University and CSU to ensure your academic interests are protected during this pandemic will have the outcome we want.
If you have any other concerns, queries or questions as this process develops please get in contact by email. sueducation@chester.ac.uk
Jack Rankin, Vice President Education
