University vice-chancellor rejects union plea for tuition fee refunds

NO REFUNDSwill be offered for tuition fees this year, said the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading.

Responding to an open letter from the student union officer team, Professor Robert Van de Noort said the institution had adopted a “blended learning approach” thatwas designed to be flexiblewith home learning.

The union officers had called for a part refund on the annual £9,250 fee, but thiswas rejected by the university.

Professor Van de Noort said support services, and campus facilities such as the Library, study spaces and catering had also continued to operate.

Those unhappywith their educationwere asked to contact their academic tutor first, before raising a formal complaint.

In their letter, the union officers called for support for students renting in the private sector, a commitment to upholding graduation ceremonieswhen possible, and a no detriment policy to support student grades.

Professor Van de Noort said he haswritten a letter to landlords, whichwill soon be circulated. Adding hewas working on “flexible mitigation arrangements” to support students in their exams.

But he did not comment on the possibility of graduation ceremonies happening.

Following Professor Van de Noort’s response, union officers said they understood studentswere not satisfied with the answers given.

In a statement, they said: “Wewant to ensure that no student is worse off, financially or academically, as a result of Covid-19.

“We understand that Covid-19 has had a detrimental impact on learning outcomes and that more money and supportwill be needed to close that gap for students.

“Wewill collate individual and overarching student concerns to raise to senior members of the University Executive Board, while continuing to lobby the government.”