UWI Students Assured of Fair and Just Final Assessments

The UWI, Cave Hill Campus, April 16, 2020.Students at The University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus have been given an assurance that the upcoming period of examinations and final assessments to bring formal closure to semester two, will be fair and just.

That assurance comes from campus principal Professor the Most Honourable Eudine Barriteau who addressed student concerns over their modes of assessment following the suspension of in-person classes last month due to COVID-19.

Emergency remote teaching began on April 6 to run until April 24 and exams are scheduled for May 11 to June 12.

In a letter and podcast to students, Barriteau acknowledged their concerns and noted that the Campus is aware of the significant disruption caused to them by the viral illness.

“We are restructuring the assessment methods from a face-to-face to an online format that takes into consideration the fact that everyone might not have conditions at their disposal which allow them to undertake their assessment in quiet and peaceful surroundings as usually required of an examination,” she said.

She stressed that the Campus’ main responsibility at this time is to the current students and ensuring the integrity of their degree programmes. She noted that there would be no single method of assessment and these would vary by faculty and discipline.

According to the principal, some students will be graded on 100 percent coursework or open book exams which will need to be completed online within a specified time. Others will download an assignment which will need to be submitted by a set date. Students will be granted more than one attempt to complete their submission if hindered by internet issues.

Barriteau also noted that the majority of students had completed 75 percent of face-to-face classes before these were suspended, and reminded that there were digital and electronic resources available at the Cave Hill Library for students to access.

She also stated that students have an option of withdrawing from their courses without penalty, and without affecting their GPA.

“Students may also defer completion or take a leave of absence. The campus is aware that some students will be more adversely affected by the conditions introduced by the COVID-19 pandemic. On that basis the Campus has devised a range of assessment tools to reflect the unique circumstances.”

The principal pointed out that all financial holds on students’ accounts had been removed even before online teaching began earlier this month, to allow students to access online resources and teaching.

Additionally, Barriteau noted that special provisions are also being made for those who do not have computers or do not have a reliable internet connection.

“Those students who fall into that category will receive computers through a grant from CDB (the Caribbean Development Bank). Since these students will not receive those resources in time, they will be encouraged to defer the examinations without penalty to their GPAS,” Barriteau said.

She has expressed confidence in the students’ ability to perform better than they anticipated in their exams this year: “As I indicated, (assessments) will take into consideration the conditions and circumstances under which you are currently completing your current year, but, importantly, it will also maintain the integrity of what it means to hold a UWI degree.

“We do not compromise on that but we will take into consideration all the circumstances affecting your completion and the circumstances that are beyond your control,” she said.

Principal Barriteau has also urged the students to support each other and look after their health as they manage the COVID-19 pandemic.

Students will be on a break after April 24 and will return on May 11 to begin their final assessments.