Marking boycott hits Stirling

Students are stressing over coursework marks as lecturers stop marking.

After meddling with staff pensions, the uni has left students in the lurch without their grades.

But some students support the boycott, even though it means a delay in receiving their grades.

Those affected have been warned today that there will be significant delays in getting their coursework marks back as lecturers protest against serious cuts to their pensions.

Stirling is one of 68 unis taking part in the protest.

The University and College Union (UCU) are attacking greedy universities over thousands of pounds worth of cuts to pensions.

Beginning this week, no marking is to be done or coursework set. This will continue until the action is cancelled.

Students were informed via email today of the action, four days after it began.

Fourth year Lynne Maxwell supports the boycott. She said: “Everyone has a right to peaceful protest.”

The psychology student blames the University for putting students out:

“It’s unfortunate that it affects us but what’s a weeks marking compared with someone’s pension?

“Seems fair enough to me.”

Those who take part in the action also risk having their pay deducted.

A UCU spokesman at the uni said “The university employers are proposing to make dramatic changes to pensions which will lead to our members being considerably worse off when they retire.

“These cuts are not just unfair, they are unnecessary, the USS pension scheme is in good health.

“Boycotting assessments like this is not a step we take lightly but we have been left with no other option than to take this stand to protect our right to a fair and decent pension.

“We remain committed to genuine negotiations with a view to reaching an agreement.”

First year history and education student Megan Thomson said “It’s a bit unfair to cut people’s pensions. They work hard to get them, and some lecturers have worked hard for years.

“It’s like they’re moving the goalposts.

“It will affect them for years to come, but only affects us for a little while.”