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No.909 Friday 3rd February 2023 varsity.co.uk
The Independent Student Newspaper since 1947
SIDNEY SHAMED
We have to recognise ChatGPT says pro-VC
Students accuse college of 'wilfully' neglecting the needs of disabled students ● ● ● ●
Student trapped in supervision room as ramp was too steep Broken accessible door caused dislocated shoulder Wheelchair accessible lift broken for three years Disabled students unable to access JCR, computer room, or upper library
Bethan Moss and Bella Shorrock Deputy News Editors Multiple sources at Sidney Sussex have alleged that the college is in breach of the Equality Act on several counts regarding its treatment of disabled students, a Varsity investigation can reveal. We interviewed disabled students at Sidney and their peers, who say that they have complained about the attitude and inaction of the college, but claim that “nothing has been done” to the point that Sidney are “willfully negligent”. Varsity has seen documentary evidence of these complaints from multiple sources. The Great Gate, on Sidney Street, is inaccessible for physically disabled students, so they have to enter at the back of college — yet the back gate is frequently broken. One disabled student told Varsity that as a result, they had to go to hospital after dislocating their shoulder trying to open the heavy Great Gate. They complained to the college, but Sidney claimed that the gate cannot be made more accessible for historical reasons. Poor accessibility also affects students visiting the college, socially or for supervisions. One wheelchair-using student was stuck in a supervision room for at least 30 minutes, after a ramp provided by college was taken away and used elsewhere. The student’s supo partner went to inform the porters and was told that only one ramp was available.
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After several minutes of discussion, they agreed to come and assist the student. Varsity understands that the porters suggested lifting and carrying the wheelchair out of the room — but this was “entirely unfeasible”, “due to its size, weight and intricacies”. The student told us that “the whole experience was appalling to witness”, claiming it proved college provisions for disabled students are “utterly insufficient”. For visitors, there are just three disabled toilets in college: one is card access only and students can’t enter, one is accessible only by going to get a key from porters, and the only other disabled toilet is in the bar, which only Sidney students can get into. There is also a shortage of accessible accommodation in the college; there are only three bedrooms that are adapted for wheelchair users. Two of these rooms are accessible only by lift — a lift which has been broken for three years. Within this time it’s worked occasionally; estimates vary from ten minutes to two weeks for how long functionality has lasted. The broken lift means students unable to use stairs can’t access the upper floors of the library or the computer room. By not affording disabled students access to the “benefit, facility or service” of browsing books and using college computers, it has been alleged that Sidney is in breach of the Equality Act. The JCR is also not accessible by wheelchair.
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Erik Olsson Senior News Editor The pro-vice-chancellor for education has said in an interview with Varsity that bans on AI software like ChatGPT are not “sensible”, explaining that “we have to recognise that this is a new tool that is available”. Bhaskar Vira, who assumed the role in October, told Varsity: “I’m of the opinion that we have to recognise that [AI] is a tool people will use but then adapt our learning, teaching and examination processes so that we can continue to have integrity while recognising the use of the tool”. As anxieties around AI-assisted plagiarism envelop the academic world, Vira’s comments on ChatGPT mark a departure from the recently adopted policies of other educational establishments. The New York City department of education has notably banned all use of the technology in its schools. A spokesperson for the department said the ban was introduced in light of “concerns about negative impacts on student learning, and concerns regarding the safety and accuracy of contents”. Referencing this development in the U.S., Vira told Varsity: “I don’t think that’s sensible because these are tools that are out there, that people are going to be adapting to and using.” As pro-vice chancellor for education, Vira assumes overall responsibility for the University’s educational provision, devising and implementing Cambridge’s education policy. Vira’s stance on ChatGPT is shared by others in the academic field. Dr Peter Van der Putten, professor of AI at Leiden University, told Sky News: “It’s there, just how like Google is there...You can write it into your policies for preventing plagiarism, but it’s a reality that the tool exists”. Released in November by the tech company OpenAI, ChatGPT is an interactive chatbot which uses AI technology to generate text in seconds. It has surprised many with its ability to create fluent and coherent prose in response to a range of user generated prompts. Similar concerns have been raised in academia. Asked about how the University would detect AI generated text in work submitted for assessment, Vira said: “I don’t think we will ever stay ahead because it will become like an arms race, I think the AI will evolve quickly and will keep trying to evolve to avoid detection to technologies”. However, Vira is careful to sound alarmist. He downplays the often lauded potential of ChatGPT. During his interview with Varsity, the pro-vice chancellor referenced an article in The Guardian, in which John Naughton argues text generating software, like ChatGPT, will eventually become “as mundane as Excel”. More stories inside ▶