Friday 20-04-2018 - 09:36

April 2018 Update

Based on the consultation we held before Easter, the university have used your suggestions to create an additional student support package which is being funded by the salaries withheld during the recent industrial action to benefit current students.

These extra activities and opportunities cover the following areas:

• Study and study skills support
• Understanding fair assessment and the strike
• Financial assistance
• Mental and physical wellbeing support for academic success
• Careers support

March 2018

Last week we held a consultation so that you could decide how the University of Bristol should spend strikers' withheld pay.

Of the choices listed, you prioritised the options in the following order:

1. Reimburse students for costs incurred i.e. travel costs for attending teaching and other required education activities that did not happen and/or costs incurred (e.g. lost income) to attend alternative events that may be put in place as mitigation
2. Invest in extra staffing for same day mental health appointments for this academic year
3. Increase funds available in this year's Financial Assistance Fund/International Hardship Fund
4. Invest additional funds in the Careers Service

The University will be using this priority list, along with your additional suggestions, to help put arrangements in place over the vacation and give you details about these once teaching begins again.

We are going to continue to:

• Lobby the University to make sure this money is spent this year to support current students
• Work with the University to ensure that students’ assessments aren’t unfairly impacted (by recommending extensions to coursework or changes to exam content)
• Ask that staff prioritise the following activities when they are in work: support for student wellbeing, teaching, and marking assessments

In the additional feedback there were several key themes:

Wellbeing

We are aware that the strikes have caused anxiety for some students. If you are concerned about your wellbeing then please visit the University wellbeing pages to access the support you need.

Refunds

Many of you referred to financial compensation or reimbursement of tuition fees as your preference for how this money is spent and we are aware that this is a high priority for many students. It is worth bearing in mind:

• Reimbursements given from witheld pay is unlikely to amount to much when divided between students.
• For UK students, even if you were reimbursed, it is likely that your tuition fee money would go straight back to the Student Loans Company.

Students are entitled to seek compensation for missed teaching through a formal complaint to the University or legal action. 

We have received advice from NUS (National Union of Students), OIA (Office of the Independent Adjudicator) and Wrigley's law firm on the topic of complaints and compensation following the strikes. There is no guarantee that claims for compensation will be successful but our Just Ask team can help you understand what you will need to consider if placing a complaint. 

Our Just Ask team can help you place a complaint with the University but are not able to offer legal advice.

Assessments

The University is making arrangements for students where missed teaching due to strike action may affect your exams and assessments. You should receive communication from your School to explain any alternative arrangements for your exams or assessments. If you are concerned about the impact the strike might have on your exams and assessments please contact staff within your school in the first instance.

After speaking to staff from your school if you are still not satisfied, please speak to one of our Just Ask advisers who can talk to you about whether it would be appropriate to submit extenuating circumstances or make a complaint.