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Combined honours students face mistreatment

“It’s not that Combined Honours students aren’t as valued, it’s just that priority is given to single honours.”

Many students studying Combined Honours feel they have been unfairly treated by Newcastle. Photography: Wikimedia Commons

Combined Honours students are enduring unjustified discrimination within their course, as schools choose to priortise single honours students.

During the last academic year many students who have chosen to study combined degrees have faced problems of unfair treatment due to their lack of direct association with a single school.

This has included being unable to register to certain modules, reduced opportunities to attend course related workshops, failing to be included within distribution lists and not having access to relevant Blackboard information.

Other students studying joint courses have received their assessment marks later than those doing single honours, with some exam scripts going missing altogether.

One third-year, studying History and English Literature, who chose Newcastle specifically for the strength of the School of Historical Studies modules looking into American Civil Rights, was told that single honours students took priority over combined students.

The email from a senior lecturer read: “I am sorry to hear about your disappointment in not being able to study your first choice module, but as you must appreciate, students studying History as a single honours must have first claim on the available options”.

This particular student was then cautioned against pursing a dissertation on a topic in which they had already shown a vested interest, with the email reading: “It is not the case that you will be debarred from working on Civi Rights. If anything we tend to caution against work across two modules”.

This was not the first time the student was left disappointed, having missed out on a first choice module the previous year, even though the application was made only two minutes after the module choice selection opened.

Problems of module selection has also arisen in the past, with combined students receiving emails regarding a module briefing just fifteen minutes before it was scheduled to start.

There has also been a problem between two different schools when exam papers were misplaced.

Five students studying English and Classics received an email with the rest of the students, informing them that they had feedback to collect. However, when they arrived to pick up the marks at both the Historical Studies Office and the English Office, they were unaware as to where the papers where.

They were told how they had been lost in the internal postage system. As a result, the students were sent photocopies a week after the rest of the students had received their results, with still no sign of the original transcripts.

Furthermore, some Combined Honours students studying Psychology were only able to access their exam results three days after the rest of the students sitting the same exam.

Daniel Ashall, Chair of the Combined Honours Student Staff Committee (SSC) said: “There should be simple solutions around the issues. Students should simply be able to be attached to mailing lists.

“Its not that Combined Honours students aren’t important, it’s just that priority is given to single honours students.

“Departments are making a conscious effort to amend things. But menial things such as adding people to mailing lists and Blackboard communities should come naturally, along with the fact that some Combined Honours students are receiving correspondence that they shouldn’t.

“When students are left off from resources such as Blackboard it becomes problematic. For example, different schools have different methods of referencing, so when it comes to essays, combined students who don’t have access to the community are at a disadvantage.

“There are some technical problems that are out of the hands of some schools hands, and we are always working on these issues to try and remedy them.

“I believe the problems of some our students sometimes seemed to be overlooked. Even though there is cooperation from departments, we continually face issues on both a large and small scale”.

Colin Bryson, Director of the Combined Honours Centre said: “Studying Combined Honours offers many advantages to students, particularly flexibility and considerable autonomy in navigating through the degree choosing preferred subjects and modules.

“However this flexibility raises inevitable issues as students will not be studying all their modules within one subject. Any disadvantages arising are not the intention of staff, and the Combined Honours SSC and myself are working hard to alleviate any negative impact of such issues”.

Newcastle Students’ Union Education Officer, Liam Dale said: “Studying Combined Honours can be so valuable, giving students a greater opportunity for choice of modules and subject areas. This should be celebrated rather than students being ‘punished’ for choosing this option.

“The fact that these students are still being treated unfavourably compared to single honours students is completely unacceptable. These problems appear to be based locally in different schools and appear quite minor yet would have significant impacts on the affected students. Due to the nature of these issues, it seems that they can be resolved easily by the relevant schools and they should be seeking to do so immediately.”

Another third-year Combined Honours student said: “The Combined Honours school itself is brilliant, and they always do all they can for you.

“However, on most courses you are counted as not as important as their full time students. Particularly in English, where you aren’t offered enough support or help anyway.

“But mostly, I love the variety that my course offers me and the choice of my modules means I have got to do a course that is perfect for me.”

Another third year Combined Honours student said: “Combined honours students take on a lot of responsibility when they start their degrees such as managing their own timetables and anticipating clashing deadlines, and they are fully aware of this when they start first year.

“However, it would be ten times easier, and fairer, if schools could tighten up their communication with combined students and treat them like they do any single or joint honours student.

“It would be interesting to find out of joint honours students suffer this discrimination from any schools too.”

Newcastle University’s equality policy suggests that: “all students and all employees are treated on the basis or their relevant merits and abilities and are given equal opportunities within the University.

“No prospective student or student, job applicant or employee, should reieve less favourable treatment on any grounds which are not relevant to academic ability and attainment for students or to good employment practice for employees”.

Combined Honours students have always been faced with more problems than many other students. Two years ago, the University tried to remove the opportunity to undertake a Combined Honours degree at Newcastle University.

However, a student-led petition quashed the proposal, and new undergraduate students are still able to opt into a degree which allows more variety than many others.

Despite this, communication problems are still prevalent, even though the issue is trying to be continually resolved.

This has brought into question whether certain schools see Combined Honours students as being outside their subjects by prioritising their single honours students.

If any other students are experiencing similar issues, or any other problems relating to courses, they should contact Education Officer Liam Dale at education.union@ncl.ac.uk.

Article on Sir Bobby Robson Foundation for Evening Chronicle - February 29th

RIVAL football teams have come together to support a common cause.

Newcastle United and Sunderland have given match tickets to be auctioned in aid of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

When Sir Bobby Robson launched his charity in March 2008, Newcastle immediately joined forces with Sunderland AFC and Middlesbrough FC as supporters of the foundation’s work against cancer.

And a proud Sir Bobby was one of the first to acknowledge and value the support of the region’s fans.

In the run up to the Toon clashing with Sunderland in the derby game on Sunday, the North East Football Writer’s Association is continuing Sir Bobby’s work by auctioning off two special prizes donated by each club in aid of the foundation.

The two prizes are being auctioned via eBay and have attracted the attention of many fans, with generous bids already being placed.

Newcastle United has donated two tickets in the director’s box to any home game this season, with seats on the half-way line and a three-course carvery meal.

The prize also includes the chance to meet the players and a visit, for two, to Newcastle’s training ground in Benton.

Sunderland has also donated two tickets to their Stadium of Light clash with Liverpool on 10th March.

George Caulkin, a patron of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, speaking on behalf of the North East Football Writer’s Association said: “We’re very grateful to Newcastle and Sunderland for the prizes they have generously donated to help the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation. The Football Writers’ Association is particularly pleased to be auctioning them during what is such a special week in the region’s football calendar.

“Sir Bobby may have been a former Newcastle manager, but ultimately he was a man of the North East.”

Please visit www.sirbobbyrobsonfoundation.org.uk or send a cheque to Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, Room 203, Cheviot Court, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7DN.

Read More http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/evening-chronicle-news/2012/02/29/fans-can-help-boost-sir-bobby-robson-foundation-72703-30430225/#ixzz1nnqNS5Ew

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Cryer pleads 'not guilty' as Twitter saga continues - The Courier - February 20th

Newcastle Law student, Josh Cryer, denies public order charges against him at Magistrates Court

Illustration: Emma Rawsthorne

Third-year law student Josh Cryer has denied racially abusing Stan Collymore on Twitter.

The former Intra Mural football captain appeared before Newcastle magistrates on February 14th with a public order offence after the the ex-Liverpool and Aston Villa footballer reported the incident to Staffordshire Police.

Cryer, who was in attendance with members of his family, entered a ‘not guilty’ plea, denying sending messages that were ‘grossly offensive’ in January.

The court adjourned the case, with District Judge Garland granting him unconditional bail until the case comes to trial on April 2. Cryer’s solicitor, Andrew O’Hanlon, called for an unnamed witness to attend court on that day, with the hearing expected to last around two hours.

Dressed in a blue suit, tie and white shirt, the student who is said to live on Fairfield Road in Jesmond spoke only to enter his not guilty plea and state his date of birth and address.

Television crews and photographers, from both the regional and national press, were in attendance as he arrived at the court on Market Street with his face hidden by a scarf.

He remained inside the court building for around four hours after the hearing, after which cameras from Sky Tyne followed him round Newcastle city centre as he continued to cover his face.

During the legal proceedings, the 21-year old has continued to attend lectures at the Law School. He also played for the Intra Mural side Braca-Law-Na in their 4-4 draw with rivals Henderson Hall in the Wednesday league.

The Newcastle student was charged on January 7 with two public order offences, after the complaint was passed on to Northumbria Police. However, on January 23, one of the charges was withdrawn.

He is originally from Burnley, Lancashire where his father owns a chauffeur company.

Collymore works as a pundit for talkSPORT radio, works for the charity Depression Alliance and campaigns against racism. Normally Collymore is a frequent Tweeter, however his account remained dormant on the day of the hearing.

It is questionable as to whether the ex-footballer will be attendance at the trial as the proceedings will continue into their fourth month when the case comes to trial.

Pride of Stan Calvert Missing - The Courier - February 13th

Team Newcastle’s four times lucky charm disappears from Students’ Union

Team Newcastle mascot Rory Lion has been abducted from the Students’ Union.

At mid afternoon on Thursday February 9 Athletic Union Officer Alice Holloway discovered the iconic Stan Calvert mascot was was missing from his usual habitat.

In his place was what appeared to be a ransom note, reading “We have Rory, give us the cup if u want 2 [sic] c [sic] him again.”

Initially, the mascots absence was attributed to a practical joke being made by one of the Students’ Union Sabbatical Officers, however, after thorough interrogation they have been cleared of suspicion.

Shocked students and staff have begun a thorough search, with appeals concerning his whereabouts posted on facebook and Twitter.

According to sources he was last seen early last week in the Planning Room on the first floor of the Students’ Union.

Standing at approximately six-foot tall Rory has a mane of long ginger-hair, large eyes, sharp teeth, whiskers and a tail. It is also thought he has a strong dislike for parrots and fondness of steak.

There are no firm suggestions as to when he disappeared or where he may have gone and neither is there any indication as to who is responsible for his disappearance. The ransom note, constructed of letters cut out from magazines and newspapers, rules out the possibility of a handwriting match, and as the specific timing of Rory’s disappearance is unclear, CCTV is unlikely to help with investigations.

With Stan Calvert a matter of weeks away, the search for the mascot has taken high priority, with Holloway giving a desperate plea to anyone who may have information: “Rory Lion is a valued member of the AU, and I’m devastated that someone would kidnap him. He has been looking forward to celebrating his fifth birthday at this year’s Stan Calvert and is quite the lucky charm, as we have beaten Northumbria every year Rory has been here. I’m urging anyone who has information at all to come forward. We want Rory back!”

Wilfred Wildcat, the Newcastle University Ice Hockey Club’s Mascot was beside himself: “I was speaking to him just the other day, somebody must know where my cousin is”.

Rory has been a common fixture on the sidelines at Gateshead Stadium every year during the Stan Calvert Cup. In 2009 however, he made a name for himself by rugby tackling and taking out a streaker during the Men’s Rugby Union fixture against the Poly.

He was first adopted by Athletic Union Officer 2007-08 Lydia Oxenham, and has remained a beloved representative of Team Newcastle since.

Drop in applications - The Courier - February 12th

Newcastle among many others experiencing a drop in the number of prospective applicants

Applications to Newcastle University have dropped in comparison to 2011. The admissions service has seen a drop in around 1000 applications (4%), in line with national figures showing a 7.4% decline across UK universities.

The figures from UCAS, which were published following the application deadline on January 15th, is an indication that the trebling of student fees may not have effected applications to Newcastle as much as initially thought.

Certain courses have seen bigger drops than others with a 30% drop in those applying for Architecture courses, 30% for Technologies and 20% for Art and Design.

However some courses saw a marked increase, with an increase of nearly 70% for those applying to social sciences combined with arts and 24% increase for places in the Law school.

Newcastle’s competitors have also experienced a similar drop in applications. Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Nottingham, Sheffield and Northumbria (the universities who most frequently appear on the same UCAS application as Newcastle) has seen an average decline of 4% too.

The University has also seen a rise of 38% from Non-EU applications since last year and a 52% rise since 2012, compared to a 6% decline in UK applications (contrasting to the 8.7% national figure), and 15% from potential EU students.

The Medicine and Dentistry has seen 262 (6.16%) fewer people apply for places starting next year, despite the fact that subjects allied to medicine (such as Biomedical Sciences) has seen a 30% increase since 2010. The Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering has seen a drop of 8%, compared to a drop of less than 1% last year.

In general, there has been a sharper drop amongst male applicants, with 8.5% down on last year, with female applicants dropping by a smaller 6.7%.

However, one of the more surprising statistics is that there has only been a 0.2% drop in applications from the most disadvantaged fifth of the population, with a decline of 2.5% from the wealthiest.

Despite the rise in fees, some students will still be left without university places, as demand continues to outstrip supply. In comparison to this time last year, there are already 50,000 more applications than acceptances, and competition will be intensified as 10,000 government-funded places are cut.

David Willets, the Universities Minister, has highlighted how the proportion of school-leavers (barring last year) is greater than ever and is encouraged by how young-people from disadvantaged backgrounds have not been discouraged from going to university: “Even with a small reduction in applications, this will be a competitive year like any other as people continue to understand that university remains a good long-term investment in your future.”