Bristol SU Officers discuss Bristol’s ‘safety net’ policy and everything you need to know

By Patrick Sullivan, Co-Editor-in-Chief

Individual schools will confirm specific details for each course by Monday 4 May, and Epigram has talked to the SU Education Officers, Hillary Gyebi-Ababio (Undergraduate) and Chris Brasnett (Postgraduate) to answer the questions currently on student lips.

When the University of Bristol announced their safety net policy on 30 March dealing with assessments and grades affected by the coronavirus crisis, students had many questions. Over a month later and the deadline for clarity for individual courses is nearly here, with all details due to be confirmed on Monday (4 May).

Still, many students remain anxious and are struggling to connect with university life since learning activities were moved online. They are currently completing key assessments in difficult circumstances not knowing how exactly they will impact their final grade.

Hillary Gyebi-Ababio, SU Undergraduate Education Officer, and Chris Brasnett, SU Postgraduate Education Officer, have been reaching out to students remotely to understand what issues they can relay to key University staff and how they can press for solutions.

What does the principle of safety net mean for final years?

Chris: ‘As far as we’re concerned for final years the safety net starts from a point that means “your grade can go up, but not down”. This is the fundamental viewpoint that we’ve taken based on talking to student reps, and this is how we’ve worked with the University on this issue.’

Hillary: ‘The overall priority for us has been to ensure that you can graduate with a degree that will be honoured by employers. The safety net will ensure that you can do this without losing out on opportunities because of the disruption caused by the pandemic.’

The University describes it as ‘a way of ensuring students are not disadvantaged by the current situation because the teaching you received or your assessment preparation were adversely affected, the nature of your assessment was significantly different, or you were unable to demonstrate your true ability because of the impact of COVID-19 on you.’

How does this differ to the idea of ‘no detriment’ previously mentioned by the University?

Chris: ‘They’re really the same thing – the “safety net” is just a clearer way of saying to you that your grade won’t go down as a result of engaging with the assessments in summer, which is what we pushed for the specifics of the initially advertised “no detriment” policy to mean.’

It should be noted, however, that, depending on your course, dissertations or major projects may affect your grade and Chris goes onto explain, ‘Your school should provide detail on this by 4 May at the very latest – this is going to be a really local situation depending on your course so it’s hard to say overall.’

| Students criticise UoB 'no detriment' policy as 'unclear' and 'unfairly applied'
| Bristol University confirms ‘safety net’ approach to final year grades affected by COVID-19 as students wait for more details

I am not happy with the way my school has applied the policy, how should I voice my issues?

Chris: ‘We’ve been listening to what course and faculty reps have been saying, and are in frequent contact with them. We’ve pushed the University to include students in as many conversations as possible, and this is something we’re still trying to ensure is consistent in every course.

‘If you’re not happy, the best thing you can do is tell both us and your School. I know that academics across the University have worked really hard under difficult circumstances to try to do their best for their students, so having a constructive dialogue with them is really important for helping everyone in this situation.’

Most Russell Group universities have adopted a similar policy, but one grievance from Bristol students has been the cut-off date for affected assessments being set as 27 March. Exeter University, and many others, are using the date of 15 March, and lockdown in the UK officially started on 23 March. Hillary says the SU Officers ‘understand this date is still of major concern to students and we are still challenging the University on this’.

The University states that they ‘recognise that is variable and that some students experienced disruption earlier’. They recommend students who feel they were affected before 27 March to submit an extenuating circumstances form.

What is meant by 'reasonable attempt' and how will this be judged?

Hillary: ‘We've worked hard to ensure the University exercises the most compassion when it comes to your assessments, and we'd encourage you to do your best to ensure you can still do well in your degree. All the policy and measures that we’ve worked hard to get put in place will ensure that you are able to get the grade you’ve worked hard for, and not be adversely affected.’

The University advice states that ‘even if you don’t perform well in the task overall, the exam board will assess how you have responded to it intellectually. For example, a blank essay submission or a discussion of a completely different topic wouldn’t be a reasonable attempt at engaging with your assignment.’

How can I apply for an extension or extenuating circumstances (ECs) due to the effects of COVID-19?

Chris: ‘We’ve pushed for the University to develop an ECs process that is as simple as possible so that students can apply for ECs where they need to. There’s a link here, and you can apply without evidence.’

As a PGR student I feel forgotten by the University. What is being done about my work, especially when I cannot access facilities?

Chris: ‘I certainly haven’t forgotten about you! This is obviously an incredibly frustrating time for all PGRs when we just want to get on with carrying out our research – I myself am thinking about what my work’s going to have to look like when I return to my PhD in July.’

‘Your supervisor should be in regular contact with you to check on your welfare, and also to discuss your research, which is going to be really different depending on what you’re doing. I’m working closely with all the PGR faculty reps to get a good understanding of what’s happening across the University, so get in contact with your rep or me directly to let me know the problems you’re facing. I am also running a survey for this purpose.’

What should I do if I cannot properly access next term's online learning or if I have reasons I am unable to work from home?

Hillary: ‘Contact the University for support. The SU Officer team has worked hard to secure financial funding for students that are struggling in this period, and we are continuing to lobby for appropriate measures to be in place to support you.’

I'm really stressed about the whole situation and feel uncertain about how my degree is being assessed. Who should I talk to?

Hillary: ‘The best people to speak to would be your academic reps or your school. We’re working closely with the University to make sure they are being fair and considerate in the way they’re carrying out assessment and ensuring that there are enough mitigations for you to still graduate with a great degree.’

I am also worried about my employment prospects after my degree. Will companies value my degree classification less compared to previous cohorts due to the leniency on grades?

Chris: ‘This is obviously a real concern for a lot of people, and it’s why we’ve worked to ensure that assessments have been adjusted within reason to still maintain their quality for your and future employers’ assurance. Loads of courses are externally regulated with professional bodies, and I know that there’s been a lot of work with them around this issue.’

The University Wellbeing team are also still operating, and a Wellbeing Access form, found here, can direct you to the right service.

Hillary Gyebi-Ababio hosted an Facebook Q&A via the Bristol SU Online Living Room on 27 April and the group is being used for relevant SU Officers updates and other methods of community support.

Featured Image: University of Bristol

Are you happy with how the safety net policy has been applied to your school?