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LSE has refused to accept the extent to which the coronavirus epidemic is preventing students from preparing for exams.
Students are suffering. LSE& #39;s response has been inconsistent and insufficient. It has fallen far below what other comparable unis have offered their students.
Students are suffering. LSE& #39;s response has been inconsistent and insufficient. It has fallen far below what other comparable unis have offered their students.
LSE& #39;s current approach is business-as-usual. They are pursuing online exams with the option to defer, and believe this is enough to support students academically.
This position reveals fundamental issues with their approach to the COVID-19 crisis.
This position reveals fundamental issues with their approach to the COVID-19 crisis.
The option of deferral is a difficult one and is unfortunately simply not available to everyone.
And even if it was, how do we know this crisis will be over by the next deferral period, which is in August?
And even if it was, how do we know this crisis will be over by the next deferral period, which is in August?
However, the key issue is that LSE& #39;s marginalised students will suffer most under this crisis, regardless of whether or not they can defer.
It will be the international students who have returned home to the countries that have suffered most from the coronavirus.
It will be the international students who have returned home to the countries that have suffered most from the coronavirus.
The working class students with inadequate study conditions, or who worked at LSE to survive and are under the stress of indefinitely receiving no pay.
The disabled students who have been left without an communicative support system, or who have lost their exam adjustments.
The disabled students who have been left without an communicative support system, or who have lost their exam adjustments.
Students have been affected in a myriad of diverse and deeply challenging ways. Why doesn& #39;t LSE& #39;s approach encompass this?
Students, of course, do realise this.
We have therefore made a series of reasonable and equitable demands of LSE.
We have therefore made a series of reasonable and equitable demands of LSE.
First, LSE needs to introduce a safety-net or universal pass system.
These policies would help ensure that students are not academically disadvantaged by this crisis.
They have been have been implemented by top universities across the world.
And yet LSE refuses.
These policies would help ensure that students are not academically disadvantaged by this crisis.
They have been have been implemented by top universities across the world.
And yet LSE refuses.
Secondly, LSE needs to redress the departmental inequalities which have emerged.
Because of the lack of an adequate centralised approach, students in different departments have received wildly varying levels of support.
Because of the lack of an adequate centralised approach, students in different departments have received wildly varying levels of support.
Students in @LSEAnthropology have received a comprehensive survey. It inquires about their circumstances under COVID-19, helping the department to gain information which they can use to figure out how they can best support students.
Meanwhile, students in @LSELaw received departmental guidance telling them that anxiety about the global COVID-19 pandemic was not an adequate reason to defer exams.
This is inconsiderate and unacceptable.
This is inconsiderate and unacceptable.
All LSE students deserve compassion at this time, not just those who happen to study in particular segments of the university.
A coordinated, consistent approach to student support needs to be adopted in order to ensure this.
A coordinated, consistent approach to student support needs to be adopted in order to ensure this.
Finally, LSE& #39;s communication has been poor and scattershot.
Disabled students who need exam adjustments have not been directly contacted about how they will be affected.
Financially precarious students have not had avenues for financial support signposted.
Disabled students who need exam adjustments have not been directly contacted about how they will be affected.
Financially precarious students have not had avenues for financial support signposted.
In addition, due to timetabling changes, many students now face back-to-back or even simultaneous exams. These students have not been informed as to how they are expected to deal with this.
Students require comprehensive and timely information about how their exams will happen.
Students require comprehensive and timely information about how their exams will happen.
Ultimately, LSE has responded to the reasonable, proportionate and repeated demands of students in an inadequate manner.
Several student campaigns and petitions have already been launched around these issues. Our demands have been repeatedly refused. https://beaveronline.co.uk/student-concerns-lse-business-as-usual/">https://beaveronline.co.uk/student-c...
Several student campaigns and petitions have already been launched around these issues. Our demands have been repeatedly refused. https://beaveronline.co.uk/student-concerns-lse-business-as-usual/">https://beaveronline.co.uk/student-c...
Struggling students deserve more from @LSEnews than cookie-cutter non-answers.
LSE *have not* ensured that no student will be at detriment.
LSE& #39;s response *is not* proportionate to the severity of the impact COVID-19 outbreak is having on students& #39; studies.
LSE *have not* ensured that no student will be at detriment.
LSE& #39;s response *is not* proportionate to the severity of the impact COVID-19 outbreak is having on students& #39; studies.
LSE students are not satisfied with the treatment we are receiving, so we will not stop until our demands are met.
This crisis has been difficult to manage for everyone in the LSE community. But Management can and must do more.
This crisis has been difficult to manage for everyone in the LSE community. But Management can and must do more.
We are asking everyone to copy our open letter and email it to the Directorate. Both the letter and emails are can be found in the document below.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-aS43cmKF7STgsRufA9hbdKnGmvQG6hNWuvd7VRJT5A/mobilebasic
Students">https://docs.google.com/document/... deserve better.
For a more comprehensive picture of LSE& #39;s response, read more from @beaveronline.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-aS43cmKF7STgsRufA9hbdKnGmvQG6hNWuvd7VRJT5A/mobilebasic
Students">https://docs.google.com/document/... deserve better.
For a more comprehensive picture of LSE& #39;s response, read more from @beaveronline.
