Covid 19 coronavirus: Victoria University students say grade bump policy is unfair

Victoria University students say they will be disadvantaged when competing against other students for jobs. Photo / File

Victoria University has no plans to introduce a blanket policy to bump-up grades because of Covid-19 disruption, which students say is distinctly unfair and will disadvantage them.

The university's students' association posted on Facebook this morning complaining there was a "lack of parity" between Victoria and other universities around the country regarding the issue.

Auckland and Otago universities have confirmed final grades will be universally scaled up for first-semester papers.

Victoria University of Wellington Students' Association said its students would therefore be disadvantaged when applying for scholarships, postgraduate positions, internships and employment opportunities.

The association said it believed a grade bump would ensure students were on equal footing with other universities who have adopted the measure.

Academic vice-president Taylah Shuker told the Herald students already had enough on their plates graduating in an economy hit by Covid-19, with fewer job opportunities.

"They're at this disadvantage because they're not on that level playing field. This is the last thing that students need and it's incredibly disappointing and frustrating," she said.

Shuker urged the university to reconsider.

Victoria University confirmed it was not planning to introduce a blanket policy to scale grades.

"The university will, however, ensure that robust moderation procedures are in place for all courses this year, and that scaling of grades in an upward direction will occur in courses where appropriate.

"In recognition of the impact Covid-19 has had on students this year, the University is also exploring the addition of a statement on all transcripts indicating that every student enrolled in 2020 was impacted by the global pandemic."

The university said it has taken other measures to recognise the impact of Covid-19 including extensions, waiving and re-weighting assessments, and giving alternative assessments for students in special circumstances.

Victoria University's academic vice-provost professor Stuart Brock said students would not be disadvantaged.

He noted each university has its own set of circumstances and only two out of eight in the country were introducing blanket bumps.

Brock said a disruption did not necessarily equate to a negative impact across the board.

"So we want to see where that impact has occurred. Where it's appropriate to scale, we will be scaling. We won't be scaling blind."

Auckland University students have been advised final grades for all undergraduate and postgraduate taught courses will be scaled up one grade step, for example a B would be bumped to a B+.

The performance of every student is regarded by Auckland University as moderately impaired as a result of Covid-19 disruptions to life and study.

Otago University has told students it's doing the same.

It said the university was very aware of students who continued to perform at the highest level, despite disruption.

Therefore students who attained an A+ before the grade scaling would receive a commendation on their academic transcript, acknowledging their exceptional performance in the face of adversity.

Canterbury University will review results of all assessments against historical cohort results.

Scaling of grades will be applied where it advantages students and is not limited to a 5 per cent increase in grade.