Uni sorry for document delay ‘farce’
An aspiring biomedical scientist has hit out at Stirling University after it left her in limbo over a vital document for months.
Gemma Macdonald, 29, who studied biology at the university between 2017 and 2021, contacted the institution back in November and paid £30 for a copy of her syllabus containing course information.
The document was required for Gemma to get registered in her preferred line of work and she had received a similar document - for free - from Glasgow University within days of making a similar request for her postgraduate course.
However, despite regular emails throughout December and January, the university failed to reply to her increasingly desperate requests amid fears that she would miss the cut-off date for having her qualifications verified.
It meant Gemma faced another year working in hospitality with little clarity about her future.
The situation remained unclear until early last week when - after being contacted by the Observer - the university apologised to Gemma, refunded her payment and sent her a copy of the syllabus free of charge.
Gemma had previously said the university made her feel “let down” over the lack of response and despite feeling “elated” about the updated news, she remains critical over the actions of the university until this week.
She said: “The whole situation was a farce and I feel Stirling University fails to put the needs of students first”.
“They have refunded me the money for my syllabus though I was shocked I had to pay in the first place and I also feel they have only responded now with apologies due to the press being involved and the fear of negative publicity.
“This was the first email I have received from them since the syllabus was ordered.”
A Stirling University spokesperson said: “We have been in touch with the graduate and have apologised for the delay in responding to their enquiry. The requested documentation has now been delivered.”