UCU branch committee members had their first meeting with the newly elected Student Association Sabbatical officers last week (Tuesday 16th May) where we welcomed them to their posts, and intimated that together with the other campus unions we looked forward to working constructively with them over this coming year.

In a wide ranging discussion over areas in which we would hope to work with them, including student accommodation, and student facilities in general, we discussed our proposed statement on the effects of GCU management’s response to the marking boycott. This statement which is with management for comment and which will be released shortly, expresses our deep concern at how we believe the integrity of student degrees is threatened by the manner in which the marking and assessment boycott has been reacted to by the university.

At a special meeting of the University Senate, UCU members on the Senate voiced criticisms of the proposed manner in which the marking and assessment boycott would be handled. However the proposals to Senate from the VP learning and teaching were passed nevertheless.