Lecturer strike could prevent graduations

Around 80 students are not expected to graduate from Glasgow Caledonian University this July due to a lecturer strike over pay arrangements.

Lecturers are refusing to mark exam papers due to dissatisfaction over a pay increase offer of 6 per cent over two years, which academic unions AUT (Association of Teachers) and NATFHE described as 'derisory'.

Optometry students at the university's department of vision sciences who cannot graduate will also not be able to embark on their pre-registration year, creating additional problems for the university department, and potential employers.

With just three weeks left until exams are meant to commence, the student body does not know which exams it will take and which will count.
'We have been told we will sit three exams, but these won't be marked until disputes are resolved and we cannot sit a fourth exam because it has not been finalised,' said final year student Gordon McKinnon.

'But the big killer for us is that no clinical assessments will take place as half the lecturers are caught up in the disputes, which means we cannot receive the GOC certificate of clinical practice needed for graduation.'

Aside from contacting members of the Scottish Parliament and notifying the press, McKinnon said there was little he or his fellow students could do.

'We seem to be the worst course affected at the university too as we are the only ones who require course completion to take a job elsewhere,' he added.

A spokesperson for the University said that it was doing everything in its powers to resolve the strike situation.

'We are currently exploring options for providing full service to students during industrial action. Every step will be taken to minimise disruption to marking and invigilation of exams,' she said.

emma.c.white@rbi.co.uk