The summer examinations period is a stressful time for students, but it can be even more nerve-racking if your academic performance is affected by something such as illness, personal problems or issues within your school/department.

I meet regularly with the Library management to discuss how to improve Library services for students. Over the last two years the key issue that has come to my attention is the lack of study space.

Whether its through SSLCs, online surveys or simply students coming into my office to complain, it has long been clear that the lack of available computers and workspace, especially during the summer term, is a key issue of  concern to students.

As we reach the end of term 2 I am pleased to announce a number of changes that the Library are putting in place after consultation with the SU to make life easier for students. Including:

• 24 hour opening from Monday 16 April 2012 until Friday 22 June 2012
• Opening the Training Room on Floor 2 as a quiet, computer study area
• Publicising alternative study rooms as provided by the University once the timetable is available

We hope that this will ease some of the pressure on space during exam season. However its clear that the Library is simply not big enough. That's why the sabb team have been working for several months now to lobby the University, in conjunction with the Library, to expand the Library building.

Recently we met with the Vice Chancellor and his senior team to discuss the issue. We haven't received confirmation yet, but we're confident that the University will invest money in expanding this most vital resource.

Recently at the SU we've made some pretty big changes in the way we represent postgraduate students. Before Christmas a motion was past at the General Meeting to extablish a Postgraduate Assocation (PGA) from 2012-13 academic year. Then, the outcome of a comprehensive review of the sabbatical roles recommended the establishment of a Postgraduate Sabbatical Officer in 2012-13 who would run the PGA. The review was ratified in the first Union Council meeting of term 2 meaning that the PG Officer will be elected along with the other sabbs in week 8 of this term.

This decision has drawn the ire of The Boar in a recent editorial, so I thought I'd outline why we've made these changes and why I think The Boar is wrong on this issue. The Boar rightly point out that currently postgrads, who make up 40% of Warwick students, do not engage with the SU much. From this observation the editorial concludes that PGs do not need the SU, and are too preoccupied with their studies to engage with the Students' Union. 

We take a different view. Rather than not wanting engagement, many postgrads cite a historical lack of engagement from the SU towards them. For too long we have included PGs in structures which are really designed to cater for undergraduates, assuming that PGs are either not interested, or will be willing to adapt. Its no coincidence that we almost never have a sabbatical officer who was not an undergraduate at Warwick. 

However, both survey and anecdotal data suggests that in fact we should develop specific and recognisable provision for PGs with which they can identify. For instance 70% of PGs said they wanted social events specifically targeted at them. Furthermore, with complex and sometimes highly specific issues facing those representing PGs, PhD funding changes for instance, it is important to have a dedicated representation.

PGs are a growing section of our community here at Warwick, if the Students' Union truly does represent all students, then its high time we put real effort into making sure we are relevent and important to their lives as students. 

Whether it’s locally to the University, or even nationally to the Government, fundamentally the Students' Union is here to represent students’ interests and extend their rights. This is not just about the services we provide, or the opportunities we facilitate, but also about we believe in and what we fight for.

We’re committed to the idea of education open to all regardless of background. Whether it’s a question of the quality of education, or access to it, there is a number of ways you can get involved with us to work for this ideal.

Recently we have seen higher education, and the opportunities it provides for young people, under attack. Last December the cap on undergraduate tuition fees for UK and EU students was raised to £9000 as the grant that Government gives to Universities was slashed by 80%. In the White Paper released this summer, and due to be passed next year, the Coalition has laid out plans to marketise higher education, letting business run institutions and damaging efforts to widen participation at our top Universities. 

On the 9^th November we’ll be joining 1000s of other students from across the country for a national demonstration in London called by National Campaign against Fees and Cuts, with the support of the NUS. You can book your place on a coach by going to www.warwicksu.com/demo2011, for a heavily subsidised price of £5

But its important also to tackle the problem of access at its root, in schools, where local young people often feel that University is not for them when they are perfectly able of reaching an institution like Warwick. If you’re interested in helping young people achieve their potential then apply to take part in the Inspire scheme. We’re providing Warwick students with the opportunity to engage with local schools in a drive to raise pupils’ aspirations and encourage them to progress to higher education. You can apply now via www.warwicksu.com/inspire

If you have any questions about the issues involved in our campaigns get in touch via education@warwicksu.com. We hope you'll join us in marching to defend our education next Wednesday. 

Academic Appeals; Things to Remember

If your academic performance is affected by something such as illness, personal problems or issues within your school/department and you don't perform as well as you expected in your exams or assessments, you might want to consider an appeal.

If you do have a problem it is very important that you notify your department as early as possible and follow up with relevant medical evidence if required - a certificate from a medical professional verifying that you have been ill.

Academic Appeals

There are only specific circumstances where you can make an academic appeal and a limited number of grounds on which you can do so. The relevant regulations are in the University Calendar.

• Regulation 8.12 refers to final year undergraduates
• Regulation 37 to taught postgraduates
• Regulation 38 to research postgraduates

If you are an intermediate year undergraduate the only circumstance in which you can appeal is if you have been required to leave your course. Final year undergraduates can appeal against their degree classification as well as against the decision not to award a degree at all. Postgraduates can appeal if a lower or no degree has been awarded (although you cannot appeal against a lower Masters' classification).

You can't challenge matters of academic judgment when you appeal but you can appeal under the following grounds:

1. You are in possession of evidence relevant to your examination performance which was not available to the Board of Examiners when its decision was reached and can provide good reasons for not having made the Board of examiners aware of this evidence;
2. There appears to have been procedural irregularities in the conduct of the examination process;
3. There appears to be evidence of prejudice or bias on the part of one or more of the examiners.

If you are not a final year undergraduate you can only appeal on the first ground. If you are a postgraduate, taught or research, you have a further ground for appeal which is:

1. There is evidence of inadequacy of supervisory or other arrangements during the student’s enrolment at the University. In this instance, you are required to explain why a complaint was not made at an earlier stage.

You must make your appeal within the time limits given which are 10 days for undergraduates (15 for medical undergraduates) and 42 days for postgraduates.

You can consult your Personal Tutor for help with the appeal process. If you wish to get help and representation from outside your department, you can consult the Senior Tutor at the University, the Education Officer at the Students' Union or the Student Advice Centre.

Follow this link to find a full list of those you can contact to get help with an appeal.

Final Year Undergraduate Appeals

Under certain defined circumstances final-year students may appeal against the award of a particular degree class or if they have not been awarded a qualification. You are required to complete a form if you wish to appeal. This form, which includes contact details for advice on appeal procedures, is available here inpdf format and Word format. This form is for final-year students only.

The relevant regulation is 8.12.

The form is available from the appeals webpage.

• Only a minority of students will have their degrees reclassified and only if they have a very good case
• You do have a right of appeal however so you should not be discouraged, although be aware there is no guarantee of success

Appeals must be made on the following grounds ONLY:

1. You possess evidence relevant to your examination performance which was not available to the Board of Examiners when its decision was reached and you can provide good reason for not having made the Board of Examiners aware of this evidence previously;
2. You have evidence of apparent procedural irregularity in the conduct of the examination process (i.e. evidence that the University appears to have failed to have followed its own conventions or regulations properly);
3. You have evidence of apparent prejudice or bias on the part of one or more examiners.

If you wish to appeal on ground (c) you must have strong evidence of prejudice.

Keep your appeal concise and factual and include any supporting evidence such as a medical certificate.

Ensure you get your appeal in by the deadline, i.e. 10 days from the date of the letter you receive from the Academic Office.

Follow this link to find a full list of those you can contact to get help with an appeal.

What can I do if I have been accused of plagiarism?

Make sure you know what you have been accused of and read Part B of the Regulation covering procedure to be adopted in the event of suspected cheating.

Your Head of Department can impose penalties of a maximum of a 0% mark for the work. You can ask for the case to be referred to an Investigating Committee. You can submit a written report and appear before the Committee accompanied by one other person.

You can get further advice and help from the Students' UnionEducation Officer, the Student Advice Centre or the University Senior Tutor.

If you've got any problem with your department or your exams that is causing you stress then feel free to get in touch with the Education Officer via education@warwicksu.com or 07792069359.