Dear Student
We have written previously to you about the impact of the current Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic on your access to campus, assessment, exams, mitigating circumstances and support available from the University. This letter provides a further update, particularly in relation to our commitment to a no detriment (safety net) policy to the marks you will get for the work submitted after the UK Government brought in new restrictions on day-to-day life.
No Detriment (Safety Net) Policy
We understand that you are concerned about assessment – but want to reassure you that completing your academic work this year will have real benefit for you:
It will let you demonstrate how well you can do without the risk of being penalised by lower grades
It will allow you to be best prepared for next year’s study or for your next steps (employment, further study etc), if you are graduating
It will provide an opportunity for you to improve on your existing grades
To enable you to do this with peace of mind, we have worked with the Students’ Union to develop and agree the following principles of our policy:
The University will make sure that no student will be disadvantaged
The University is committed to ensuring that you will be able to continue or complete your studies with the opportunity of completion with a qualification that reflects your academic understanding and academic effort;
The University has revised the teaching and assessment provision to ensure you can demonstrate your learning - and show the importance of achieving the learning outcomes of a programme in your continued development;
These principles ensure the value of your qualifications against the existing national frameworks for the awarding of credit
The precise operational detail of the policy will be made available at the end of the Easter vacation. In the meantime, please be reassured that you will not be disadvantaged as a result of the current Covid-19 restrictions. We do ask for your patience while we work through all scenarios to ensure this commitment is delivered across the University with parity.
This new policy is the latest in a number of decisions we have taken to alleviate any concerns you may have and support your success and wellbeing. These initiatives include:
Assessment Submission Deadlines: Two Week Extension
In light of the challenges you face, colleagues and I have decided that it is in everyone’s best interests to recognise this disruption by extending assessment submission deadlines to cover a two-week window from the date of the published assessment deadline. Under these Special Circumstances, all students now have a two-week automatic extensionto the submission of written work from the original submission date to allow you to make the adjustments you may need to your ways of working. This also applies to portfolio submission in the School of Art and Design.
You are encouraged to continue to work towards submitting your assessment by the original deadline but, if you do require longer to complete your assessment, then you have an additional two weeks. We recommend that you try to keep to the original schedule as it was designed to avoid you having multiple competing deadlines and will help you manage your workload.
Exams
We will continue to run exams to the original schedule (4 – 22 May 2020). However, rather than these take place as ‘timed’ exams under traditional invigilation systems, they will take place as ‘open book’ exams, where you will be given 24 - 48 hours to complete a piece of work to be submitted electronically. Your lecturers appreciate that some of you may not be familiar with ‘open book’ exams and your School will provide details and advice so that you have adequate information and time to prepare for these.
Mitigating Circumstances
You do not need to apply for mitigating circumstances for the additional two weeks. Should your circumstances prove so challenging that you are unable to submit your assessment during the two-week assessment window then you should apply for mitigating circumstances using the guidance below.
a) Illness Through Covid-19 (Coronavirus)
If a you become ill through Covid-19, and are not able to submit an assignment or attend an assessment, you should notify your Module leader and submit a Mitigating Circumstances form through the Mitigating Circumstances portal stating the date(s) on which you were not able to work. No additional evidence will be required.
b) Self-isolation Through Covid-19 (Coronavirus)
If you need to self-isolate because of symptoms in your household, and this limits your ability to study, you should notify your Module leader andsubmit a Mitigating Circumstances form through the Mitigating Circumstances portal stating the date(s) on which you were not able to work. No additional evidence will be required.
c) Exacerbation of Ongoing Health Conditions, including Mental Health
If you have a pre-existing health condition and this is being made worse by the current situation, you should contact Student Services in the first instance and colleagues will be able to advise on next steps.
Access to Resources
Some students have expressed concern about accessing resources and, again, I wish to reassure you. Staff in Library and Information Services (L&IS) are working remotely to provide you with online and digital services.
MetSearch is available 24/7 and L&IS staff have sourced additional electronic book and electronic journal content to enhance our existing substantial electronic collections.
Staff have also produced a Flash Guide which will help you to get set up remotely and to access all of your favourite apps.
You can also find out via our website how you can use Microsoft Teams and Office 365 to help communicate and collaborate and there is some really useful guidance on academic skills to support your study on our website.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for or need any help at all please get in touch with L&IS staff through email or webchat. All of the staff contact details are on the website. To keep up to date on news that will aid your learning please check the website and follow Cardiff Met L&IS on Twitter @MetLearnNews.
With very best wishes,
Jacqui Boddington
Pro-Vice Chancellor Student Engagement