Graduations at risk as examiners urged to resign in strike

GRADUATIONS could be delayed after external examiners were urged to resign from striking universities.

The University and College Union (UCU) is encouraging its members to hand in their notice if they hold examiner posts at any of the 65 institutions that are part of the industrial action.

The move, designed to cause maximum disruption to students as they sit their finals in the summer term, could lead to exams being postponed and leave students unable to complete their degrees and graduate on time.

Sally Hunt, UCU general secretary, said: “We are calling on external examiners to resign from those universities in dispute over plans to slash pensions. No student or university will want the quality of their degree called into question, so we advise universities’ representatives to get back round the table.”