SU not committed to action over staff marking boycott

Warwick Students’ Union (SU) released a statement on November 4 stating that they would not commit themselves to taking action against staff involved in a marking boycott at the present time.

The SU confirmed that there was a possibility that staff would boycott marking assessments and exams following a vote in favour of strikes from the University and College Union (UCU).

87 percent of UCU members voted for action short of a strike against proposed changes to the University Superannuation Pension Scheme.

The SU statement read: “As a Union we currently do not know how much support this proposed action has amongst staff, or how significant it will be at a departmental level.

“We also do not know how long this industrial action will go on for if initiated.

“We have been in constant consultation with the NUS (National Union of Students), UCU, the University and other students’ unions on how best to cater for everyone.’’

The SU maintained that it would issue more information once it became available.

They said: ‘’We have simply not been hasty in finding a position and compromising on the interests of our entire community by doing so.’’

The statement has led to opposition from members of the student body.

Cicely Holmes, first-year English and Italian student said: ‘‘It worries me that the SU don’t immediately support us in this situation. Education should be their top priority.’’

A Facebook group ‘Warwick Student Lectures’ has taken to criticising the SU for its lack of action against the marking boycott, and was similarly disappointed.

He commented: ‘‘We are calling on Warwick SU to oppose the marking boycotts on students’ behalf and do everything that it can to limit the negative impact of the boycott on students’ education.

“We are very disappointed that Warwick SU has completely neglected to make students aware of or oppose this latest marking boycott. We feel students have a right to know about this.’’

Eleanor Blackley, first-year Law and Sociology student, stated: ‘’If the SU don’t support us yet, they must have a reason as to why not.’’

Last year, the SU took a stance against academic staff in the marking boycott. Since then, the SU has removed its previous statement of support for students from the SU website.