As most people are aware of by now, Brunel University has changed it policies on grading and has only bothered to clarify the situation until now. The old system %u2013 where we were allowed to drop our lowest module grade %u2013 has been scrapped in favour of a new system that while has its benefits it discriminates students who consistently achieve average/mid level grades, favouring those with higher grade averages (B grades and higher). While this is beneficial to some people I can easily say that the majority are not in that position.
What does this mean?
- We lose the chance to drop our lowest grade, which means some of us will have to carry unfavourable grades into third year, drastically decreasing our chances of attaining a 1st/2nd Class honours. Therefore, the new system is detrimental to the average student (we lose the advantage of dropping a bad grade and making it harder as you have to compensate in other modules)
- A lot of unnecessary re-takes. Which are favourable but are a massive drain on time/effort as they are severely capped.
Brunel University and its departments must acknowledge that it has failed to notify its students of such change as:
These changes were voted for in 08/09 but not implemented till 09/10 (when we started) but we the students have never received any formal notifications of such change. So how can we be expected to accept these changes during the very exams?
Instead misleading/unclear information has been provided. Even senior staff were not aware of these changes.
Their timing to disclose such important details has been poor as we have almost completed two years with the knowledge that we would have the safety net of dropping our lowest grade like the previous years.
It is unacceptable to expect us to take in these changes without objection or question.
We therefore counter-suggest that we are adequately compensated for our grievances and the English department%u2019s failure to supply clear information within a reasonable period of time.
Please take the time to sign this petition, as it affects you. Don%u2019t be apathetic, speak out when you have the chance this way, we have at least voiced our concerns.
Thank you
- R -
