Finalists threatened with not graduating over library fines

The University of Warwick has issued another threat that students who have outstanding library fines will not be able to graduate this summer.

This comes as a particular surprise since in March 2016, Isaac Leigh, President of Warwick Students’ Union, posted a statement online saying “the University will now only be looking at preventing graduation for fee-related debts.”

Nonetheless, final year students who have yet to pay library fines have received an email stating that if they do not pay their fines they “will cease to be eligible to graduate this summer.”

The email sent to finalists. Photo: Connor O’Shea

In response to the email, Isaac has declared his surprise and disappointment at the library fine threat. He states: “This does not reflect the conversations we had had with the University; hopefully this is just a mistake.”

He adds: “I will meet with the relevant member of University staff and clarify the situation as soon as possible.”

Connor O’Shea, a final year Ancient History and Classical Archaeology student, intends to pay his outstanding fine of 60p. However, he comments: “I don’t think that library fines should be linked to graduation.

“Students pay thousands of pounds to attend this University and so the thought that a small library fine would prevent someone from graduating is ridiculous. I am especially disappointed as Isaac Leigh previously announced that library fines would no longer prevent graduation.”

Hiran Adhia, another final year student, expressed his outrage: “The idea that after paying £27,000 in fees alone, that Warwick would contemplate not giving me my degree because of the £9.60 fine I have accumulated because I am revising for my exams, is so pedantic it is almost laughable.

“Considering Warwick SU announced that this would not be the case this year, it seems like the joke is on them too.”

The university, however, have reiterated that finalists will be unable to graduate if they have outstanding fines.

They commented: “This correspondence was sent out to students by the Awards and Ceremonies team as a firm reminder to students who are taking part in degree congregations this year that are likely to be leaving the university, to settle any outstanding fees and charges.

“This is based on Ordinance 16 which states: “No degree, diploma, certificate or other qualification of the University shall be awarded to any student who is in debt for any study related reason to the University. Library fines are considered to be study-related.”

The university did confirm that it “does not prevent students with non-study related fees from graduating”.