NEWS
Sisifa spills the tea on Block Learning By Jack Pirie Over the last few weeks there has been a lot of uncertainty and uneasiness surrounding AUT and its changes in regards to the academic learning structures implemented by the University. These changes were put in place to combat the disrupted learning year as a result of COVID-19. In an exclusive interview with AUTSA President Sisifa Gigi Lui, Debate was able to uncover some vital information concerning the way in which these decisions were carried out, how student representation was undermined, and what we can expect from AUT moving forward.
AUT had set up a COVID-19 Emergency Task Force to deal with emergency decisions surrounding the way in which the academic year would resume post-lockdown. Despite AUT consistently stating that student matters are at the forefront of every decision there was “no student representation to begin with,” says the AUTSA President. Sisifa says that “AUTSA had to fight our way to be on the representation”. In the initial decision to go toward a block learning model on April 1st, there was close to no “consultation with students” in determining how the new structure would be implemented. The AUT board and leading facility had decided it was not worth creating a poll or survey to get students' opinions and their thoughts on the proposed plans. Instead, the head of departments and leading academics at AUT were held solely responsible for dictating outcomes that would directly impact students. When asked about her initial reaction to the way in which AUT had made, developed and proposed block learning Sisifa says “If I’m being honest I was quite annoyed at the fact we weren’t given that consultation around deciding what that block model looked like.”
