BU are deducting marks on some courses for missing lectures and seminars

BAMMJ students currently get their grades deducted 2% for every seminar or lecture they miss and 1% for every one they are more than 10 minutes late for. However, students are not having it and have started a petition to get the rule overturned.

The system affects first and second year Multimedia Journalism (BAMMJ) students across every module as well as Media and Communications and Politics and Media for the one unit that they share with the journalists.

The petition has racked up 341 supporters already and says: “Students have voiced their concerns and this petition is to take action further to get the rule eliminated. This rule has been added only this year and has had a very negative response from the majority of students at Bournemouth University; even those who are not directly effected by the new system.

“We as students believe that the reasons for the docked marks are not enough to justify their actions against students who miss lessons. For example, if a student misses a lecture or seminar for a reason relating to mental health, they are required to attend counselling or something of the equivalent even though this may not be the best action for everyone and sometimes is just a result of stress and as you may know, mental health affects many students.

“If a student catches an illness which, although could get in the way of them attending university, can be self medicated; the university still requires a doctors note to take the time off  which wastes GP’s time which is the last thing the NHS needs.

“The Multimedia Journalism faculty has explained that the reason for the dock is to encourage students to attend so that they get better grades.

“This new system is contradictory, unnecessary and quite frankly a big pain. ”

Students receive feedback like this on their assignments

The Tab spoke to Jess Howells, who set up the petition, she said: “I didnt intend for this to be an attack on the uni, i just wanted to voice student’s concerns that have been raised in class. I did the petition so when I go to SUBU to try and solve the issue I would have backup from my classmates.

“BU have said that it’s not their policy to dock grades for non-attendance, but I have evidence from numerous student’s feedback that it has happened to them so of course I will discuss this with the university.”

Students received this email near the start of the year

Since the petition began, students have received an email describing the movement as ‘malicious and false’, urging them not to sign.

A statement from BU read: “It is not Bournemouth University policy to reduce student grades as a result of non-attendance of lectures. Students will not be losing marks as a result of non-attendance, and the University does not have plans to put such a measure into practice.”