From Mica Rose | Head of Student Experience

Following Richard’s update last week, we have now had confirmation from UCU that they have secured a further national mandate for industrial action at universities through to the end of the summer term. This is disappointing news after the recent progress in negotiations in a number of areas. However we have plans in place to make sure this doesn’t get in the way of you finishing the year as normal. As always, we will do everything we can to limit the impact this has on your studies.

Ensuring you can progress or finish your studies

No strike days have been confirmed at this stage but UCU have indicated that they will be asking their members to conduct a national marking and assessment boycott. I know this will be of real concern to many – I want to reassure you that we have robust plans in place to ensure you can progress or finish your studies to the same timeline, while maintaining the quality of your degree. Graduation ceremonies will also go ahead as planned.

It is also important to stress that not all lecturers are UCU members and not all UCU members take part in industrial action. While staff do not have to let us know if they are taking industrial action, we know that the impact of any marking and assessment boycott will vary greatly across areas.

It is important to continue submitting all assignments as usual and we will do everything we can to make sure your marks are turned around quickly so that you get the certainty you need.

Continued negotiations

You have faced multiple rounds of industrial action this year due to this ongoing national dispute, for which I can only apologise. We are here to support you, in line with our principles for responding to this that we set out earlier in the year. We also urge UUK and UCU to build on the recent positive negotiations so that they can reach a deal that prevents students being caught in the middle of a dispute that is out of their control.

We will provide a further update when we know more on what this next period of industrial action looks like. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to get in touch via industrialaction@kent.ac.uk if you have any questions or concerns you want to raise.