Students’ Union will not support marking boycott

Warwick Students’ Union (SU) has released a statement explaining that the SU will not be supporting the marking boycott that will begin as of April 28 at Warwick University and universities across the UK.

In the statement, they said: “Thus far, the Students’ Union has voted to stand by academic staff and student teachers taking industrial action this year… Overworked, under-supported and poorly-paid teaching staff simply cannot provide students with the educational experience they deserve.

“However, we clearly cannot support students’ futures being used as leverage in an external pay dispute, and are deeply concerned about the impact a marking boycott may have on our members – particularly those in their final year of university study.”

The SU also pointed out that there is a chance that postgraduates may be asked to assist with extra marking responsibilities during this period, and should be aware of any potential implications that accepting or refusing the work may have.

Students were encouraged to fill out and send a letter, drafted by the SU, to the University of Warwick vice-chancellor Nigel Thrift.

The University wrote, in reply to these emails: “UCU guidance makes it clear that this potential industrial action relates only to the marking process for exams and other assessed work. The actual exams themselves will be unaffected. Exams will continue to be set and run as normal and students should of course take part in their required exams.

“It is our expectation that only a minority of students may be affected by such a boycott. Students should be assured that, in the event of any such industrial action, academic Heads of Department and administrative colleagues will have arrangements in place, drawing on their experience of past similar industrial action, to avoid or minimize any impact on students.”

Warwick Protect the Public University (PPU) however have released a statement in support of the boycott.

The University and College Union (UCU) have announced that unless ‘serious negotiations’ begin over pay disputes, the boycott will be implemented.

Students’ assessments and finalist graduations could be affected and delayed by the boycott.

UCU members of the University will continue to take seminars and lectures, but will not carry out any further marking, including coursework assignments, portfolios, examinations, or any formal assessments after April 28.

However, according to the UCU, universities have warned staff that they will not pay those involved in the boycott for any of their other work.

This means that lectures and seminars may be cancelled. All pay will be docked and any services provided during the boycott will be considered voluntary and not paid.

Callum Cant, a second-year English Literature student, said that he is supporting the boycott: “Staff have been consistently ignored in their attempts to get a fair deal.

“For the good of the University, we need to show management that it is not acceptable to treat our staff with contempt.”

Finalist Emily Baker commented: “Throughout the year union action has been disrupting my studies, with strikes causing lectures and seminars to be cancelled. Although this has been annoying at times I have understood the necessity for University staff to demonstrate their anger.

“I completely empathise with their plight and have tried to be supportive of their fight for fairer pay.

“However, refusing to mark assessed essays and exams, especially for final year students, crosses a line. It is completely unacceptable that we, as students, are being used as pawns in this power struggle between the unions and the UCEA.

“We do not make the decisions about pay, we cannot negotiate with the UCEA, but we are the ones whose degrees and futures are on the line.”