#TeamUofG Student Newsletter

You may have seen an email from Professor Martin Hendry, Clerk of Senate, on Wednesday 17 May with an update on industrial action.  

Here is a summary of the key steps the University is taking:

- We are working closely with each School to do everything we can to protect students from the impact of UCU action

- We expect all exams to take place as scheduled

- All work that is submitted will be marked

- We will maintain academic quality across all courses and programmes of study

- We will make sure that all students are able to advance to the next stage of their degree or graduate

- We will support any student who may need help providing degree classification for employment or further study

- We will continue to call for further talks to resolve the national dispute.

Below, you’ll also find mental health and wellbeing support and practical steps you can take if you find yourself affected by the marking boycott.

Email to students 17 May recap: 

Dear students,  

I am writing to you with a brief further update about the ongoing UK-wide industrial dispute between the University and College Union (UCU) and employers in the higher education sector. Last month the UCU announced a boycott of marking and assessment processes; the boycott began on 20 April 2023.   

We expect that in most parts of the University the marking of exams and assessments will be unaffected, but in a small number of Schools there is potential for the impact of the boycott to be more significant.    

As Clerk of Senate, I am working closely with each School to do everything we can to protect students from the impact of the UCU action. We expect that all exams will take place as scheduled and we are seeking to put in place alternative marking arrangements where those are required. These arrangements will include careful attention to the maintenance of academic quality. Please be assured, therefore, that all marking will continue to be completed and scrutinized to the appropriate academic standards.  

We expect that no student will be prevented from progressing to the next stage of their degree, or graduating, because of the industrial action. In some cases, however, there may be a delay in the release of marks and feedback for students’ assessments.   

If any delay in receiving your degree classification could affect your employment or further degree plans, the University will help by providing a predicted degree classification. If you have any concerns regarding further study with another university or pending job offers, please get in touch with the UofG Helpdesk. 

I recognise that the industrial action will be a source of concern for many of you and I apologise for any anxiety that it is causing. The University has a range of support services available including a new 24-hour Counselling and Advice Line to provide guidance and help students work through any concerns.    

I appreciate you may have further questions about what the industrial action might mean for you. You can read more information on our webpages.   

With best wishes   

Professor Martin Hendry    

Clerk of Senate and Vice Principal    

University of Glasgow   

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First published: 18 May 2023