*For the attention of students on year 1 PO coded modules/QS modules administered by PAIS*

Dear All,

I hope you and your family and friends are safe and well. This is an important email and so please do read it all carefully.

These are extraordinary conditions that affect all of us. All staff in the department are aware of and sympathise with students’ many understandable anxieties. We want you to do well and this email sets out how we intend to further support and reassure you.

Please do continue to read the university student newsletters and COVID-19 FAQs – this is essential in order that you keep up-to-date with key policy developments. To ensure consistency and fairness among all students, many decisions continue to be taken by the central university, and not by academic departments. The University will provide further details, via the student newsletters, as soon as it is available.

If you have any questions or if anything us unclear, please do reach out to the appropriate member of staff, as listed towards the end of this email. Please note that further specific information on progression and how module marks will be calculated will be made available via the student newsletters, week beginning 27^th April. Every step outlined in this email is subject to University approval.

We have also put together a PAIS Covid-19 webpage, which we hope will also be a useful source of reference for all Department-specific guidance. If your query is not addressed here it will most likely fall under the remit of the University-level newsletters and FAQs above.

1: PAIS Summative Essays

As per the Student Newsletters, students should still submit term 3 summative essays, that are currently scheduled.

You will be aware of the automatic 2 week extension for these assignments. The revised deadlines have been populated in Tabula. Please see our earlier email of 07/04/20 (copied below) that outlines more details on essay extensions and self-certification. Please remember that self-certification extensions must be requested before the submission deadline but no earlier than 5 working days before the deadline.

Please do also take a look at the University webpages on mitigating circumstances, updated to reflect COVID-19.

Please remember our wide range of essay writing resources available on our academic support pages. These include the slides and recording of term 1’s essay writing workshop, Dr Andre Broome’s guide to academic writing and our guide to when you can and cannot repeat material across assignments.

2: Exams Cancelled for First Years

As you know, the University have announced that there will no exams for first year students in term 3. The current context does not create the right environment for Year 1 students to have their first experience of university level exams.

However, a handful of intermediate and final year students (usually from outside of the department/or visiting students) take a PO or QS level one module as an option. These students will submit an ‘exam replacement assessment’ as per the guidelines for all intermediate and final year students.

Instead of teaching and exams in term 3, first year students, throughout the University, will be asked to engage in the Warwick Online Learning Certificate. Successful completion of the module is not a condition for progressing to the second year but engagement will enable you to capitalise on your first year learning and make accelerated progress in Year 2. You’ll develop yourself personally and professionally – achieving the Certificate of Completion will look great on your HEAR and in your CV!

3: Progression to Year 2

The University have stated that for most students progression will be straightforward. Providing you have met the learning outcomes for your course, you will be informed that you proceed automatically. The aim is to be as flexible and supportive as possible, subject to University policy, given the unprecedented situation we find ourselves in.

As per last Wednesday’s email from Professor Chris Hughes, the Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education, in the week starting Monday 27 April the University will use the student newsletters to publish their approach to a number of decisions. This will include how they will determine module marks for first year students where exams have been cancelled.

4: Academic Support in Term 3

The University have announced that there will be no new teaching in term 3. This will enable a total focus on student support and progression. However, there may still be academic support sessions (e.g. an online session on pressure groups for PR21 students).

Moreover, advice and feedback hours will run virtually in terms 3 (e.g. by Skype or Microsoft Teams). Your Module Directors and/or Tutors will be in touch with more details about these in due course.

Personal tutor meetings and support will also take place online. As per usual, I am always happy to speak to students.

5: Learning and Library Resources

Please click on the link below for lots of resources and support for using the library remotely.

Advice For Students.

A reminder that many publishers are making additional e-resources available to students to help at this challenging timer. See the list and how to access.

6: Key Contacts

If you have any questions over the next few weeks, here are the key contacts:

• Progression requirements, if your home department is PAIS – Chris Clarke, Director of Undergraduate Studies in PAIS

• PAIS essay extensions (up to one week) - Chris Clarke, Director of Undergraduate Studies in PAIS

• For questions on PAIS essay extensions of over a week - Ben Richardson, Director of Student Wellbeing in PAIS

• Mitigating circumstances, if your home department is PAIS – Ben Richardson, Director of Student Wellbeing in PAIS

• Visiting/exchange students based in PAIS – Trevor McCrisken, Director of External Affairs in PAIS

We hope this helps and reassures. If you have any questions or queries, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the appropriate member of staff.

These are difficult times but I know that we will get through this together.

Take care and stay safe.

Best wishes

Justin

Dr Justin Greaves

Director of Student Experience and Progression, in PAIS.