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ISSUE 735 4 OCT 2022 exepose.com @Exepose
THE UNIVERSITY OF EXETER’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1987
University announces changes to student mitigation and extension policies Livvy Mason-Myhill Deputy Editor
Remembering Dame Hilary Mantel Page 4
Saturn’s missing moon Page 29
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HE University of Exeter have changed their mitigation and extension policies for this academic year. The extension period, which previously gave students an extra week to complete their assignments, has now been changed to a 72-hour period. A spokesperson from the University has stated that “during the extraordinary circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, the University trialled giving students four self-certified deadline extensions of up to one week. After discussing with a range of stakeholders, including the Students’ Guild and Students’ Union, we have decided to retain the benefits of self-certification, whilst reducing such extensions to three calendar days from this term.” This in turn gives students a shorter time frame to complete their tasks than in the past. This could also potentially cause increased
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Images (top to bottom): Joshua Irwandi, Kevin Gill, Wikimedia Commons, Conor Béhard-Roberts
Image: Joshua Hughes
student also explained that they would “feel a great deal more stress and pressure over my work that could be avoided. I would be stressed also that my assignments couldn’t be completed to my best ability with just a 72-hour extension”. We also asked students whether this change in the extension periods would affect their mental health in a negative
way. All the students who came forward agreed that their mental health would be affected by these changes. Students highlighted how the previous one-week extension period gave them enough time to not only complete their academic work, but also to gather themselves mentally. Continued on page 4
Police week of action in Exeter prompts Athletics Union warning to committee Megan Ballantyne and Joshua Hughes Editors
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stress for students, especially for those who struggle with mental health issues. Exeposé asked students in a journo request what their attitudes were towards the changes to policies surrounding mitigation and extensions. When asked how students feel about the extension period changing from a one-week period to only 72 hours, the overall reaction was predominantly negative. Many students commented on how this change will greatly increase their stress levels, especially with the number of assignments at the end of each term. The word most often used by students on this matter was that they felt very “stressed”. One student suggested that they liked the week extension “because I tend to have a lot of assignments due at once, 72 hours isn’t enough to produce my best work”. Other students felt “disappointed and confused” about the University’s choice to make these changes and that they didn’t “feel like this would benefit people as much, [it] slightly defeats the idea of having an extension”. Another
EVON and Cornwall Police’s week of action to protect women and girls at night, which took place during Freshers’ Week, prompted a warning from the University of Exeter’s Athletics Union to AU society committee members to stay “extra vigilant.” As part of what Devon and Cornwall Police describe as a “drive to safeguard young people,” officers carried out seven arrests and made numerous vehicle stops around Exeter over the course of the week. Journalists from the BBC and ITV were also spotted around the city by students. On Wednesday 21st September, the unofficial ‘sports night’ for AU societies, when socials are traditionally held, the Athletics Union issued an
email to society committee members, stating that they “heard that the police are going to be out in force in the city centre tonight (21st) and [that] they will be accompanied by filming journalists.” It urged them to be “extra vigilant and make sure that there are no actions occurring in your socials which can reflect badly on the University and your club.” The email went on to say: “Please also make sure that individuals are not walking home alone, especially when intoxicated, to ensure the safety of your members, as the journalists are focusing on safety during nights out.” AU members who saw the email criticised its focus on the presence of police and journalists as motivation for good behaviour. One student told Exeposé: “It sounds like the AU only care because it will be on the news — really they should encourage this all the time.” Another student criticised the emphasis the message placed on the University’s and AU’s public image, stating: “They
know that AU societies have an infamous reputation when it comes to sport society socials, so are trying to mitigate any risks of it becoming exposed, or any attention drawn to it in a negative light.” Others highlighted that the message was also simply intended to warn club members not to potentially embarrass themselves on television; a different student told Exeposé: “I feel as if the AU knows that during socials and nights out that it can get quite wild and people tend to act foolishly, hence they wanted AU committee members to be extra vigilant and not mess up in front of the BBC news crews or cameras.” A spokesperson for the University of Exeter said: “The University is committed to supporting and encouraging all students to settle in, experience and enjoy the wider Exeter community. This includes enjoying the night life within the city in a safe and respectable manner. All AU clubs are given training and asked to sign a code of conduct at the start of the academic
year, agreeing to behave responsibly. Safety messaging is also routinely provided to students and AU Clubs at the start of term, and regularly throughout the year.” The police operation was part of Operation Vigilant, a nationwide operation, which Devon and Cornwall Police state is “a strategy used in a bid to reduce sexual violence and predatory behaviour.” Exeter Sector Inspector Simon Arliss said: “The purpose of the action is also to reassure and safeguard the public, particularly the night-time economy community and provide reassurance that my officers are on patrol and are approachable if needed. High visibility patrols have been increased around areas where we have received reports or concerns about women being approached in suspicious circumstances or have been left feeling unsafe. We want to make Exeter a place where people can live their lives free from fear of violence and intimidation. This may seem like an idealistic aspiration; however, it is one that we continue to strive for.”