It has been announced that the date for the decision on semesterisation has been delayed to January 2014. This comes after Vision reported the controversy the decision had caused.
Kallum Taylor, YUSU President, was pleased with the decision: “Following the severe amounts of scepticism and scrutiny placed on the University’s proposals, I’m content with the decision.”
He continued: “Aside from all of our doubts which we highlighted in our report, through various meetings with students and the University, I don’t think it would be wholly appropriate to take this decision just before the new VC gets here. It’s worth them knowing though, that our concerns and questions will still remain.”
John Robinson, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Teaching, Learning and Information explained the change of plan: “The consultation with students and staff on the structure and schedule of the academic year yielded a wide range of opinion. The departmental responses, which came from Boards of Studies where students and staff were both represented, were evenly divided between those favouring and those against semesters.
A response from YUSU included the results of many sources of opinion and put forward an alternative model for consideration.”
UTC have decided to undertake further work over the next six months to draw together views for a final proposal.