Following the news of a UCU marking boycott, which will take place at 44 institutions, students have taken to the internet to express their concerns.
The boycott comes at a time when many students will be waiting on results for their final assignments, exams, and dissertations. Without their work being marked, some could be left without being able to graduate.
Jo Grady, the UCU secretary, said that members of the union just want ‘fair treatment,’ but claimed ‘vice chancellors remain intent on stealing from the retirement funds of their own workforce.’
‘The potential marking boycott just rubs salt in the wound’
Students have taken to Twitter to speak out about how the marking boycott will affect them. One explained that, following strikes in both their first and final year, and a pandemic in the middle, this boycott is hard to support.
They said: ‘For the most part, students have supported this strike action, even if it harmed their degree. The potential marking boycott just rubs salt in the wound. If the boycott happened at any other point in the academic year it would be palatable. But the fact it may lead to students having to delay their graduation means it is just so hard to actually support.’
Another opened up about the ‘anxiousness’ they have been feeling as a result of uncertainty caused by the upcoming boycott.
‘I can only imagine the intense anxiety many of these students are going through – remember that so many of those now facing a marking boycott have barely spent any time in face-to-face classes due to Covid anyway. What are they paying for?’ journalist Georgia Edkins wrote.
UCU marking boycott explained
The UCU have announced a boycott of marking and assessments as part of the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) pension dispute. This means students could be left without grades, and some could be left unable to graduate.
UCU general secretary Jo Grady said:
‘UCU members have had enough of senseless and vindictive attacks on their pensions. Vice chancellors could resolve these disputes tomorrow and prevent any more disruption for staff and students. Until then the union’s full weight is behind every member who is taking this action as it is the only way to secure the long term future of the sector.’