As I’m sure you know, the strike by some members of UCU, including lecturers, is set to begin on Monday and is planned from Monday 25 November to Friday 29 November 2019 and from Monday 2 December to Wednesday 4 December 2019.
We recognise union members’ right to industrial action. However, I want to reassure you that we will make every possible effort to minimise the impact of any action on you. Our priority during the period of the action is to support you to succeed in the goals you have set yourself.
I am sorry that some of you will experience disruption to your classes. It is difficult to get detailed advance notice of which classes might be affected, as lecturers on strike do not need to tell us until after they have taken strike action.
If you receive a message from your lecturer that your class has been cancelled, then you do not need to attend unless you have an in-class assessment such as a test or presentation, in which case you should still attend.
When an activity does not take place, there will be no attendance register taken. For international students, UK Visas & Immigration has been notified and there’s an understanding that there are some activities where we will not be able to take attendance. If any classes or contact points are missed because of the strike it is recorded as authorised absence which will not affect your visa. If you are an international student with any concerns, please get in touch with International Student Support.
I would encourage all students to please continue to monitor the student intranet for updates. We will share via the intranet and on social media information that is available to us. If your questions aren’t covered in the information we have shared, please email
intranetroyalholloway.ac.uk. If you have very specific questions around assignments, please contact your School helpdesk; they will know where they can direct your questions.
I know that a number of you have enquired about compensation and it’s not something that we are considering at this time; we’re taking steps to ensure that the learning outcomes of your course are met, many classes are still being held and a whole range of services beyond teaching all remain open. We’re also putting money that is withheld as a result of strike action into a fund and we are consulting with the Students’ Union on the best uses for this money.
We recognise that news of potential industrial action is concerning, and we will be holding a drop-in tomorrow, Friday 22 November, in Windsor 1-04, 3-4pm to allow students to meet me and a few of my colleagues to talk through any concerns.
James
Professor James Knowles
Senior Vice Principal (Education)