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I asked my colleague to explain how we would deal with such a case (we do not have resit exams). The comments refer to non-science subjects where there is generally 50% assessed coursework. It would be handled differently in science, although we would strive to give equal treatment. Moira -----Original Message----- From: Walker, Deanna I Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 1999 2:38 PM To: Collett, Moira Subject: RE: Equal treatment for pregnant student If a student misses or is ill during 2nd year exams, and has medical proof to back it up, then the Exam Board usually does one of two things: a) takes the coursework to count as the overall component mark for the course. This is more likely to happen if a student is ill during one exam and there is evidence that the student has performed consistently in the other exams. The Bd has to feel confident that taking the coursework mark would be a fair reflection of the student's ability. b) removes the fails from the grid and permits the student to proceed. In the final year the Bd of Ex will have a full set of marks for the final year and the marks from the coursework from the 2nd year. They will then have to make a judgement about the student's final class of degree based on the marks available. This course of action is only taken in cases where the Bd doesn't feel confident about taking a student's coursework marks to count as the component mark. The student is warned that if they miss the final exams for any reason then the Bd of Ex would be unlikely to be able to classify the degree as there wouldn't be enough info on which to base the judgement. So far we haven't had a case of someone missing both sets of exams, but I guess the Bd would have to consider an Aegrotat. If the student hadn't submitted medical proof to state that s/he was unfit to sit the exams, or the Bd had reason to doubt the student's ability to have passed the exams, i.e. the student had failed coursework, or there is concern that the student would be unfit to enter the final year in any case, then the student would be normally be referred to Progress Committee. A couple of years ago we had a student in HCS who missed 2nd year exams because she was heavily pregnant at the time and unfit to take them. The Dept took the coursework to stand. Deanna -----Original Message----- From: Collett, Moira Sent: 14 July 1999 12:24 To: Walker, Deanna I Subject: FW: Equal treatment for pregnant student This is an interesting question. What's your view on what we would do in similar circs? Moira -----Original Message----- From: MIDDLEMISS MAYA [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 1999 10:27 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Equal treatment for pregnant student Dear colleagues, We have just had a situation where a student missed all of her end-of semester exams due to premature labour. The school originally stated that she would have to defer and take her first year exams next June, along with that year's exams, as they did not intend to offer a September paper. Alternatively they were prepared to let her sit this year's exam on a referral basis, with a maximum mark of 35%. Clearly both of these solutions represented detrimental treatment (all of her marks have been 70%+, even when heavily pregnant), for reasons associated with pregnancy, but we found nothing in our internal procedures that covered this. A solution has since been found that will enable the student to progress to next year, with her overall grade intact, but obviously there are wider policy implications. The tutors are particularly concerned about other students who missed the exams for valid medical reasons, and have to defer to next year (the tutors still don't accept that receiving less favourable treatment for pregnancy-related reasons is intrinsically unfair, and don't feel ready to defend the position). How have other institutions coped with this, and does any one have a policy or procedures that addresses the matter? One thing I wholly agree with the tutors concerned is that there should be a University-wide policy to refer to in such cases. I haven't got a bottle of wine to hand, but there is half a bottle of flat Orangina on my desk for any brilliant ideas... Maya Middlemiss Equal Opportunities Officer University of Greenwich Student Services (Island Site), Wellington St, Woolwich, London, SE18 6PF [log in to unmask] %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%