Universities ramp up support for students struggling amid coronavirus pandemic

Queensland university students could have failing grades wiped from transcripts, extensions on assignments and late withdrawal without fines in a raft of measures universities take to reduce student anxiety during coronavirus. SEE WHAT YOUR UNI IS DOING

QUEENSLAND university students could have failing grades wiped from transcripts, extensions on assignments and late withdrawal without fines in a raft of measures universities take to reduce student anxiety and help them cope during coronavirus.

It comes after Queensland universities have moved to remote learning, with courses offered online as social distancing measures are adopted.

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Australian Catholic University Deputy Vice Chancellor Dr Stephen Weller says the university is listening to the concerns of students during the coronavirus crisis.

A Queensland University of Technology (QUT) spokeswoman said the university was concerned about the disruption of COVID-19 on learning.
“To assist them at this time, QUT has decided to move the Withdrawal Without Academic Penalty date to 29 May 2020 for the Semester 1 teaching period,” she said.
“We have also decided that failing grades in Semester 1 2020 will not appear on an individual student’s official academic transcript and will not be included in course GPA calculations.”
Students at Griffith University won’t have failed grades recorded or counted towards their GPA for trimester 1 and they could be eligible for extensions and deferred assessment based on medical or extenuating circumstances, and the university has expanded provisions for supplementary assessments for students who fail their final course.
Griffith University Senior Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Debra Henly said Griffith had introduced a range of considerations in a bid to reduce anxiety students may feel around assessment, GPAs and the impact on their futures.
“No student will be excluded from Griffith University on the basis of academic performance at the end of Trimester 1 (T1).”

A James Cook University spokesman said that students who fail will receive an “unsatisfactory” result and this won't count towards their GPA.
“We understand that this is a stressful time for students, especially those who are moving from face-to-face delivery to an online delivery mode.
“Results from Semester One won’t count towards a student’s GPA. This non-GPA result system will reduce the pressure on students, particularly those who believe their overall course GPA is important to employment outcomes and that their academic performance may be adversely affected this semester due to the move to online studies.”
Struggling Australian Catholic University (ACU) students were urged to apply for special consideration for extensions, withdrawal without financial or academic penalty.
However, ACU Deputy Vice-Chancellor Dr Stephen Weller said they won’t be changing their grading system.
“We are talking regularly with representatives from the student associations to make sure we are listening to their concerns and responding to their needs,” she said
“While we have boosted services for counselling, academic support and advocacy, appointments are limited to virtual meetings, phone or email.”

A University of the Sunshine Coast spokesperson said USC was “very sensitive” to the issues students are facing and would, if necessary, review its position not to change the grading system.
“While an amnesty is not proposed, processes exist to support students who are struggling with their studies to provide them with the best possible opportunity to succeed in their studies.
“There will be no exclusions, unless in extenuating circumstances.”
Central Queensland University vice-chancellor professor Nick Klomp said the university was aware of the pressures facing students but would not make changes to the grading system given online delivery was already commonplace at the university.
“CQUniversity will look at all applications for special consideration on a case-by-case basis and students can also access personalised course advice and make required adjustments to their study planner should they need to.”

Bond University students have already completed teaching weeks of university and are now undertaking final assessments.
“Students have been largely unaffected due to the university’s unique academic calendar comprising three equal full semesters each calendar year,” a spokeswoman said.
“We do not plan to alter the way in which we mark and grade student assessment.”
A University Queensland statement said they would be advising students when decisions are made.

Southern Cross University Deputy Vice Chancellor of Academic, Professor Tyrone Carlin said the majority of students already studied online before the COVID-19 outbreak with all academic and support services now online.

“Students have responded well to the continued quality education experience online, and are highly engaged with the University’s digital classrooms and digital services.”