Thursday 16-04-2020 - 15:59

From the early days of the Coronavirus outbreak the Full Time Officers have been proactively consulted by the University in their response to the situation and in their communications to students. This has included the campus closures, online learning, teaching and assessment approach, placements, student mobility, residents at Caledonian Court, amended the mitigating circumstances process, amended assessment regulations, creating a catch up period, extending the discretionary fund, IT support (and responding to any lack of access to equipment or broadband by students), revised graduation arrangements and student access to support.

The Student President and Student President-elect have been attending daily meetings with the University’s Executive Board, contributing to decision making and ensuring students remain at the heart of decision making during these uncertain times. The Vice Presidents, working in partnership with the academic reps, have continued to actively engage with the academic schools and professional services. All feedback from students had been raised with the Executive Board or through Deans within the academic schools.

So far, although going through expected teething problems, the move to delivering our services online has gone quite smoothly. Given the short notice to move to online learning, we have found that everyone has gone above and beyond to make this as smooth as possible. We are pleased to see GCU being sector leading in their decision to release students from their accommodation payments at Caledonian Court as well as offering a flexible approach to online learning that supports students to progress in their degrees with as little disadvantage from COVID-19 as possible. We are also working with the University to build upon the wellbeing provisions already available to students. Students have highlighted that most of their concerns at this time relate back to how the situation is affecting their mental wellbeing.

The Full Time Officers supported the promotion of the Principal’s Student Surgery. Taking place on 7th April 2020 for the first time online. These events, usually ran in person, give students an opportunity to ask our Principal questions, share their experience, and find out more about what the University is currently working on. Some key issues raised at the most recent event included mental wellbeing support for students at the University and capturing student experiences of COVID-19 for future learning. The support being provided to international students was praised although it was noted that more information was needed around Tier 4 visas.

The Student President was interviewed for the GCU Common Good Podcast on how the Students’ Association has been supporting the student body and University during the Coronavirus outbreak during her term in office. This is available on Soundcloud, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

The Student President was interviewed Good Morning Scotland (1 hour 48 mins) on BBC Radio Scotland on the 9th April 2020 discussing our agreement with the University to release all Caledonian Court residents from their rental agreement with effect from the 24th March. NUS Scotland has a petition calling on all accommodation providers to cancel the rents of students who have left early due to COVID-19. https://bit.ly/CancelStudentRents. #NotStayingNotPaying

Eilidh Fulton, Student President
Susan Docherty, Vice President SCEBE
Bethany Stevenson, Vice President SHLS
Moses Apiliga, Vice President GSBS

 

*** Photo taken before social distancing