Tuesday 29 October 2013

Cambridge University changes exam results policy over stress fears

The University of Cambridge is poised to break a 300-year-old tradition by no longer informing students of their exam results on a public notice board due to claims it causes too much stress.

England, Cambridge University, King's College, elevated view: Cambridge University changes exam results policy over stress fears
The University of Cambridge will no longer pin exam scores to a board outside the university's Senate House Photo: GETTY
The ancient tradition of pinning candidates exam scores to a board outside the university's Senate House is to be changed after a lengthy student campaign.
Undergraduates have argued for several years that the practice can be too upsetting for students who have underachieved, particularly when they find out second-hand.
Results for some exams such as the Maths Tripos, are even publicly read out from the balcony of the Senate House.
However, from next June students will be sent an email telling them their results before they are published.
They will also be able to apply to have their names and grades removed from the list before it is pinned up.
Students have welcomed the move, but said they were disappointed that it would not be introduced in time for this year.
Campaigners are also angered that students will only be eligible to have themselves removed from the public lists if they can prove "exceptional circumstances" such as mental health problems.
Ant Bagshaw, education officer for Cambridge University Students' Union (CUSU), said: "Posting the exam results is tradition for tradition's sake and there is no justification in it.
"The big stress is other people finding out your exam results before you. There is a lot of student anxiety about it.
"It shouldn't have to wait another round of people being upset unnecessarily by this process.
"It's great news but it's a bit late as this issue has been going on a number of years and another year of stalling just isn't good enough."
A survey carried out by CUSU earlier this year showed that the majority of students want to receive their results privately.
At Oxford University students can opt out of the class lists without explanation.
But the rules at Cambridge say that "there must be a compelling reason such as a threat to the student's health or wellbeing, in order to maintain the integrity of the class lists".
A University of Cambridge spokesman said: "The students' union was asking for results to be sent by email first and we have agreed to that in principal.
"But the second thing they wanted was for students to be allowed to have their names removed from the class list, which will cannot agree to."
He said this was partly in order to preserve the tradition of the class lists, but added: "There are also practical reasons. It is a very busy time of year when a lot of results are being processed.
"To give everyone the option of having their names removed would be too costly and time consuming."
The new rules will apply to all exams including finals, the spokesman said.
Mr Bagshaw added: "Emailing doesn't completely solve the problem but it would stop other people finding out your results first and allow those who do badly to have some time to adjust."
Professor John Rallison, the university's Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education, said that the changes could not implemented until June 2010 "due to the need to consult thoroughly with faculties and departments on any possible implications".

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