Kerry TD echoes students’ calls for ‘no detriment’ policy

STUDENTS across the country are calling on Irish universities to implement a ‘no detriment policy’ ahead of upcoming examinations to ensure grades do not suffer as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A no detriment policy acts as a “safety net” to ensure students obtain at least their average grade so far in the year, provided they pass the semester.

The system has been implemented by a number of universities in the UK and means students with a passing grade will finish with a final grade that’s either the same or higher than their grade prior to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.

Petitions calling for the policy have gained traction in recent days with thousands of students signing petitions.

Many feel the closure of universities has been disruptive to students’ study habits, in particular those that are dependent on university facilities such as libraries and laboratories.

Petitioners are urging the university to consider those who have poor internet connection, unsuitable home environments for study, and those who may be sick or caring for sick family members during the current crisis.

A number of politicians are echoing students calls for a ‘no detriment’ policy, including Kerry TD Norma Foley.

“Students here are extremely worried about their exams given the events of recent weeks,” she said. “With all campuses closed, they have limited access to books and journals and the cost of finding these online is expensive.”

The Fianna Fáil TD said one student contacted her to explain he paid €54 to access one journal.

“He explained that he needed at least 20 more to prepare for his upcoming exams but the cost was just too expensive,” she said.

Universities in Edinburgh, Manchester, Southampton and Exeter are among those who have already adopted varying ‘safety net’ policies and Deputy Foley said she believes Ireland’s third-level institutions should follow suit.

“I am calling on them to give this proposal serious consideration,” she said.

*Further detail on UL petition if required...

A number of Student Unions across the country are supporting non-detriment policies.

However, while UL students’ Academic Officer Colin Lynch supports the policy, he says steps would need to be made to ensure it covers all students, including those doing link-in modules or repeating the semester.

“Every student should be given the opportunity to improve and every student should be accommodated during this time” he said.

Despite the support of students and student representatives on the campus, UL’s Critical Operations Team and Executive Committee sent out an email saying non-detriment was already “inherently built into assessment systems at UL”.

“The results that you will receive are of equivalent value as any year ahead of, or behind you, despite these extraordinary circumstances” the email stated.

“Commit to your work, distil out the noise of distraction, sustain your energy over the next two months and let your tutors, lecturers and academic leaders take responsibility for the integrity of your assessment and results, and be assured you will not have to question or defend their validity or value.”

UL Student Life President Jack Scanlan responded to the statement on Twitter by clarifying that this was not the no-detriment policy that the

Union brought forward on behalf of students.

“We want a policy aligned to what exists in the University of Exeter,” he said, where assessments taking place after March 15th fall under a policy wherein students’ average grade for the year can only remain the same or higher provided they pass all coursework and summer exams.

UL students reacted with anger to the university’s email on social media, with a number of students calling the email “condescending”.

“Online classes and assessments are not an adequate substitute for actual classes,” said fourth-year student Kate Glasson.

“Non-detrimental assessment would ensure that everyone, especially fourth-year students such as myself, would not suffer a decrease in their overall QCA due to extreme and unfortunate circumstances that are beyond their control,” she said.