I suspect that the introduction of the new support arrangements has
proved less painful than we feared at one stage. However, I think the
main issue which needs to be pressed remains "timing". Both fairness
to the candidates and their families plus reasonable management in
the HEIs requires that the system ceases to be so "last minute" in
its timing.
New undergraduates really need to have an assessment no later than
July and that means that the issue of Award Letters
cannot continue to be something tackled AFTER a specific place is
confirmed in August. Once that is accepted, there seems no reason, other than
the increased number to be assessed, why every candidate with an
offer cannot be assessed in May/June and issued with a Letter in
July which could be made available by those with confirmed places to
their universities in August.
Continuing students must be re-assessed in 1999 so that they too know
by July what their contribution will be next session (provided they
are able to proceed to the next year of the course). I see no real
reason to even wait until the LEA has received the AS/1 reports.
Those of us who conduct postal re-registration for continuing
students are particularly concerned to know soon that the students
will have Award Letters no later than the end of July. Otherwise we
shall need to delay the re-registration of these students in 1999 and
the whole process could become unmanageable with a further
cohort in the system in 2000.
The ultimate solution of communicating the fee assessments electronically
from the Loan Company before each academic year begins would save
huge amount of unproductive labour across the system. The need to
give students and their families good notice and time to plan must
not be overlooked.
Good Luck in your efforts to keep the whole business administratively
sensible !
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Julia Morrison
Student Services (Registration,Fees and Examinations)
University of Sheffield
direct dial 0114 22 21280
e-mail [log in to unmask] (Please don't omit the e. !!)
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