Testing concerns at University

There is a growing fear among students of the University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill Campus as the dates for assessment draw near.

Several concerned students who wished to remain anonymous, expressed their anxiety to Barbados TODAY about the inability for some of them to satisfactorily study at home due to noise and other limitations including a lack of consistent internet connection and computer access and limited access to library material required to complete tasks.

They also complained about a “pile-up” of assignments, uncertainty around how exactly they would be assessed and fear that they could be barred from the online classes if fees were not made in full.

However, in a statement to Barbados TODAY from the Principal Professor the Most Honourable Eudine Barriteau and issued through the Office of Communications, the university gave the assurance that the students’ concerns were taken into consideration.

Barriteau said even before online teaching started students were being allowed to access the online platform and they have been given the assurance repeatedly that they would not be blocked.

Referring to herself only as “a student facing two pandemics”, one law student said she was disappointed that officials did not act in a timely manner to put measures in place and suspend classes earlier than they did.

Stating that she and her peers were experiencing a “sense of frustration, anger, anxiety and dismay”, the law student said she was not pleased with how the UWI administration was treating them during the pandemic and she felt it was time to speak out.

“There are a couple students in my faculty alone who do not have a computer at home, neither do they have WiFi because they cannot afford it. There is no library open to go to, and it may be simple for some of us to ask a neighbour for their password but that is not a luxury afforded to all,” she pointed out.

Stating that the situation was similar for several of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) students who had to return home, she accused the institution of mainly caring about “maintaining their accreditation and putting on a façade for international merit”.

“Mentally we are crumbling under the pressures of UWI daily without a pandemic, so what do they expect is happening to us now? Not to mention some of my friends are still stuck here on halls and off halls. Has UWI checked on students living off-campus? No,” she said.

“Our lecturers, because they have administration breathing down their backs are killing us with assignments with short deadlines with most of the topics based on Coronavirus, as if we need another reminder about a virus that has taken so much from us so soon,” she added.

Another student told Barbados TODAY that since the suspension of classes he has “felt nothing but detachment”, and in addition to “struggling to even find motivation to get up some days”, he was now being bombarded with assignments, with a fear that if they were not completed on time he could fail his courses.

One final year student complained: “At the moment there are tutors who are saying they are not sure how they going to give us marks.”

Expressing similar sentiments about the lack of means to complete assignments and fear of dropping out, she said: “There are tutors who are not grading. So right now we are all just running about like chickens with our heads cut off because we don’t know how we are going to get our grades. It is very messy.

“There are some persons, because it happened so quickly, they didn’t have enough time to make arrangements to go other places where they can study or isolate themselves to get their schoolwork done in a more peaceful environment. So that is a challenge for some right now,” she said.

While classes are to end by April 24, assessments are scheduled for between May 11 and June 12.

The principal explained that there would be a variety of formats regarding assessments, and students are being made aware of the approach through their department heads.

“Some will have 100 per cent course work or open book exams that they will have a certain length of time to do online. Others will download an assignment and have a set date by which to submit it.

“What is certain is that students will not sit an examination in a face-to-face format. All students who are to complete their courses and receive a grade will undergo a form of assessment. However, there is no single format and assessment will vary by faculty and discipline. What is certain is that the format will be fair, it will be just, and it will maintain the UWI Quality Assurance standards,’ she explained.

She further pointed out that students who were unable to complete the exams had the option of withdrawing without penalty, and without affecting their GPA, adding that students can choose to defer completion or take a leave of absence.

However, they are required to contact the Office of Student Services to address these instances.

Barriteau said that special arrangements were made for students with poor connectivity or lack of computers, for them to receive help through an arrangement with the Caribbean Development Bank.

However, she said given that the resources would not be made available in time they will be encouraged to defer the examinations without penalty.

Those students are also asked to contact the Office of Student Services.

The principal dismissed claims of the university giving students subpar treatment, stating that there was no evidence to support this. She also dismissed claims that the campus was too slow to react, stating that from early February a widespread campus and public information campaign around social distancing and proper hand hygiene was implemented.

“The Cave Hill Campus introduced a partial shut-down before the Government of Barbados introduced the current curfew,” she added.

“We understand the fear and uncertainty some students will be experiencing. It is natural with this unprecedented set of events unleashed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our focus remains on the health and safety of our students, minimizing to the greatest extent that the Campus can, the uncertainties introduced by the pandemic, and maintaining the integrity and educational value of their degrees,” the principal said.

“Students can be assured that even as we maintain flexibility in dealing with this challenging environment, the campus will continue to ensure their UWI degree maintains the standards for which it is known,” said Barriteau. marlonmadden@barbadostoday.bb