University of Hertfordshire students to be hit with a marking and assessment boycott in the coming months.

University and College Union (UCU) served a notice to employers that covers a boycott for all marking and assessment processes that contribute to summative assessment decisions for students/learners, whether final (graduation/completion) or interim (progression decisions).

Once the boycott is live from Thursday, April 20, UCU members will cease undertaking all summative marking and associated assessment duties.

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Keith Seed, the University of Hertfordshire's UCU (UHUCU) representative, said: "Lecturers are in a very difficult position. Inflation is over 10 per cent but we have been offered pay increases of just three per cent for this year and five per cent for next year.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Picketers from the University of Hertfordshire's staff union at a protest in January. Picketers from the University of Hertfordshire's staff union at a protest in January. (Image: Peter Short)

"Given the cost-of-living crisis, these offers aren’t fair or reasonable, which is why we currently have no choice but to start a marking and assessment boycott. Our real pay’s already been cut by 25 per cent since 2009.

"These pay offers could mean another cut of 15 per cent into next year. We care deeply about our students, but we just can’t carry on like this."

Jia Ash, a final year student at the Hatfield University who is due to graduate in mid-May, said: "It's annoying. I just want to finish at this point. We spent so much time and put effort into these assignments and if they don't mark it, then I might consider not paying the remainder of my fee."

Welwyn Hatfield Times: University of Hertfordshire's de Havilland campus.University of Hertfordshire's de Havilland campus. (Image: University of Hertfordshire)

Members employed by all higher education institutions involved in the dispute are involved in this action.

                                                                                                         

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Clinical staff who intend to take this action have been notified by UCU that this will only count as lawful action as part of the UCU strike if they are employed by the higher education institution at which they are a UCU member.

The UHUCU representative added: "Employers need to think again about ending this dispute by improving their pay offers. Universities hold billions in their reserves.

"But for years now they have chosen to prioritise capital expenditure on buildings instead of investing in their hard-working lecturers. It’s time they started adjusting their priorities for the good of both students and staff."