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To: Julie Lydon Vice Chancellor of the University of South Wales

Predict University of South Wales' Grades

Allow the University of South Wales' students to receive their predicted grades based on previous years study and submitted work.

Why is this important?

We are amid a global pandemic, yet, university faculty expect us to carry on as normal and not to worry. They implemented a 'safety net' but this net does not allow you to achieve your potential whilst being directly/indirectly affected by the pandemic. As well as a two-week extension without evidence. This enough for the small percentage. Safety net means your mark cannot go down. E.g. you score 40 or a little higher. You end up with 40 even though you would score 60 usually. Altering your final grade. This is especially unfair to third-year students who have worked tirelessly for the past 3 years. As well as the other undergraduate and postgraduate students at USW.

My name is Jess and I am just one case of many. My toddler and I had what was suspected as COVID-19 related symptoms (111's advice) and the illness was around 9 days and the recovery period has lasted a week so far. My mother is immunosuppressed. We had to self-quarantine within my household and normally, my family could not look after my son for me to do work as they have degrees to complete as well. But, with the illness in mind, it was a definite no help situation. I am 21, mother to a 16-month-old, a cover supervisor to high schools and full-time undergraduate student finishing my final year. My household includes 3 undergraduate students: my brother, my mother, myself and my toddler. As you can imagine life is hectic. My son used to be in Creche but 3 days a week but they have closed amid the pandemic. A family member that looked after him once a week until the evening is a key worker. My current partner who helps out a lot does not live in the same house as myself and with lockdown, he cannot help out. My EX-partner cannot have my son as he lives in a house with key workers and they have experienced COVID like symptoms so they are quarantined. All my possible work options are diminished. I stay up late, wake up tired as my toddler is teething so the few hours of sleep that I have is broken. We are all worried about the pandemic for family, friends, loved ones and ourselves.

Examination boards and higher and further education across Wales and globally are giving students (of all educational levels) their predicted grades e.g. AGORED, AQA and WJEC etc.

Why can't the university of South Wales show their hardworking students the same understanding and kindness? We have enough to stress in trying to beat this virus about without the stress of university assignments and dissertations. A reminder that a large percentage, your students are parents, keyworkers, grandparents, self-employed, financially stressed, mental health sufferers whose minds are not faring well indoors constantly. We already do not get the graduation we have anticipated for three years. Do not do us a disservice. Hopefully, your actions will positively impact the other universities that are not predicting grades. You cannot expect us to repeat our year if we do get the grade that we were on track to receive. Please, predict our grades. We are all already struggling.

Pontypridd, UK

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Updates

2020-04-09 10:36:00 +0100

50 signatures reached

2020-04-08 22:09:22 +0100

25 signatures reached

2020-04-08 19:34:37 +0100

10 signatures reached