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EDINBURGH’S UNIVERSITY NEWSPAPER
ISSUE XXI
WEDNESDAY 25 MARCH 2009
INTERVIEW: JIM MURPHY » 19
AS THE SCOTTISH SECRETARY TELLS SIMON MUNDY ABOUT SALMOND'S DUBIOUS JUDGEMENT, AND WHY TOMMY SHERIDAN'S "COMMUNIST" REVELATION WAS NOTHING TO GET EXCITED ABOUT
Politics head threatens legal action against EUSA president
» IN NEWS
EDINBURGH CHARITY FASHION SHOW '09 » 2
NSA election results Napier Students' Association elects its second female president amid amid confusion over the workings of the Alternative Transferable vote system.
NEWS » 3
EUSA launches community campaign An independent survey is commissioned to reveal the causes of tension between Edinburgh students and local residents
Adam Ramsay retracts comments made in response to Professor John Peterson's controversial letter to politics & international relations students
Nick Eardley nick.eardley@journal-online.co.uk
Trams roll on...
the worst in the UK for feedback in the 2008 National Student Survey. In line with the university’s positive response, EUSA launched its teaching awards, aimed at rewarding lecturers and tutors for quality teaching and feedback. In February a motion to the EUSA General Meeting highlighting ongoing problems with feedback attracted wide support from students. But despite efforts to improve the feedback procedures at the university, some students have expressed concerns that Peterson’s comments would undermine attempts to improve the relationship between academics and the student community. News 3
t complaints ion puts studen er & recess Lecturer bad weath down to
YOUR WORK: ASSESSINGFROM 'S LETTER EXCERPTS DR. PETERSON
all other stuto you and .I am writing on an extremely dents in Politics/IRWe would probably matter. important what follows if you read all benefit say that carefully. I’d like to As a preface, is going well this work you I hope your that we consider and and to be full semester, SILVIA FOTEVA our students intellectual and all of of our valued members community. to me and social become clear It has recently a good enough not done of the that we’ve you aware to job of making we have in place that results procedures your assessment of your be sure that quality reflect the nis by accurately remedy this new intend to Paris Gourtsoyan when work. We job in future next l-online.co.uk doing a better at SSPS (starting paris@journa arrive you now. officials students writing to num[and] EDINBURGH who OF autumn) an inordinatefrom UNIVERSITY a head of subject I have received regardthis year have defendedstudent concerns essay by to ber of representations query their responded and academic feedback wishing to are multiple caused students there ing marking their anxiety was of awaremarks. I suspect economic besides lack the suggesting and the including reasons why, weather the procedures, edginess and by head of ness of our the downturn. of avoiding recession. John Peterson, difficulty induced by Professor and international to all politics gloom inevitably ... via email for subject for a procedure a sent a letter saying: “I relations, course, have You have We do, of in his department, number of students an essay mark... you should an inordinate students appealing a mark, but have received s this year from appeal lightly: right to appeal marks. decision to representation their essay reasons not take the go up or down when to query multiple can wishing there are of our your mark in line with standard “I suspect of lack of awareness 2nd marked, the UK. why, besidesincluding the difficulty practice in or a ‘curve’ that ineviacademic gloom quotas and no procedures, edginess in a We have of marks the the spread avoiding by recession.” as the unidetermines The spread of marks comes tably induced year attempts single course. and in any given The letter—which across coursesrich variety of reasons. makes high-profile a of poor academic versity the issue showing can vary for us who teach you have a dismal to address of great a following Survey—was forNearly all of having feedback Student had experiences with many students a student the NationalThe Journal by who but having year in a course, to subject, high marks, warded Peterson’s whatever earning very when—for same within Prof. and remain anonymous. other years performances in the of politics by wished to of student reason—the not as good... It is rarely approached A number relations course were any student will produce their disinternational have expressed all of totally the case that quality across The Journalletter; one said: “It’s the work of identical if gust at the and completely misses their courses. a tremendous shame of patronising, the basis It would be letter: “We courses on kindly’, as point.” begins his you read chose your you ‘mark Peterson if would Prof. you. all benefit who you think subjects interest before quantiwhat all would probably comcarefully,” opposed to in your interest: we efforts to what follows department’s It is also not best work on subjects as consistfying his our feedback tend to do academic job in future when bat poor us. a better starting that excite ... ing of “doing arrive at SSPS tremendous you now.” work under new students[and] writing to We in Pols/IR have 4.5 times more concerned next autumn We students the pressure. than Sociology grades and Addressing » 23 WANTS CHANGE coursework Prof Peterson honours students more than Social IRVINE WELSH about their 3 times Another fiasco? ‘final procedures were assessed, and about No set of marks are way they have a Anthropology. mistake-proof. “Your essay “you us 100% replies: I say Breaking news me when before warning, could make you should for now’,” you to trust seeing that a mark, but lightly: But I’d ask for Goodbye to appeal right to appeal Green belt that our procedures the decisionor down when 2nd equity is ensured not take done and and degrees can go up academic justice is of marks standard your mark than line with in the awarding at Edinburgh Edinburgh marked, in rigorous as other and UK.” talks are more in the at 20ish Showdownpressure intensifies practice by The Journal Prowitnessed and beyond, as those I’ve letter, feedback When contacted in the UK Prof Peterson’s of School Universities, External Examiner. forwarded or Good, Head and to produce a lecturer want you fessor Anthony Political Science,of the implemented We genuinely degree of which and Head have already and for Social Sciand history reform April McMahon, the best marks and are 100% comand Social genuine you Professor literature defendHumanities English hopes for you are capable,all we can to help 1st such as College of a joint statement doing 2008 raised teaching all get a mitted to quality of departments in October We hope you ence, issued actions. weather, deliver the achieve that. (although I’m afraid after a meeting the bad that we are failed to to provide.” end ing Prof Peterson’s Despite improvements, to feedback say in general it is his job adds towards the or distinction! to why the But you need edu“I should of that a 1st of improving feedback baffled as should Prof. Peterson hope you all get that that is unlikely…) for your own the process Good was unawareThe Peterson both somewhat “We let- of by with the said Professor year,” Prof. that the take responsibility of his letter: – although I’m afraid contacted are to graduate letter from of any controversy,” responsuggestions the univer- this letter when first a copy. cation if you which you are capable. or distinction you need to take if you Answering to be sent the tive to of be a subject But say this and needed Adam Ramsay best results for a head the standard heard me is unlikely. your own education results ter is counterproduc Prof. Good. and Journal, president appropriate to improve but if you for best Peterson’s You’ve probably greater EUSA with the of Prof. “It is entirely repeatedly…) sity’s efforts feedback, teaching and probto provide just stan- sibility Good to seek to graduate capable. You’ve before (maybeyou are likely to do academic assessment spoke damningly of academic relations, Profs are of subject maybe “The are letter regarding to improved is the that, eventuwhich you say this before, do the work, you of department. Peterson’s attempts you his The transparency procedures, whichto poli- student-staff me I promise told said: “Prof. to helping stuthe recession fine. And do the work, ably heard dards withinone letter,” he McMahon and feedback of the letter sent will come, but if you I promise contribution feedback works ally, spring fine. And point isn’t is a useful how clear purpose John repeatedly, etc. to do just spring will come part of will ease, Professor are likely Journal. itself is dents understand tics/IR students. of subject, eventually, ease.” have fun. for a own discipline. the letter Profesto be focusing “As head you that, Work hard, will “In fact, within his appropriate you that, written because clearly needs he has recently that these allay student and the recession “It is entirely Peterson off: “I promise the recesJohn that feedback,was concerned however, to seek to clearly he spends He signs come, the time head of subjecteconomic climate so it on teaching; He sor Petersonwere partly misunderstood spring will hard, have fun.” some of The of research. the eventually, Work given up procedures in favour in for anxieties.graduate employability, ease, etc. to comment concerns teaching sion will refused by example by students.” it was appropriate stu- affects as on that student leading and feedback Prof Petersonby The Journal. be heightened is hardly Asked if discourage seems obvious teaching marks will students, above contacted subject to that their effort to improve over degree has when a head of in good faith, felt science assessed Mr Peterson result. Socialto be aware of this!”letter quality. a dents who, had been unfairly years, Good and “Over the all, are boundinsisting that “the part coursework an appeal, Profs need to explicitly Despite “Students up the from making clearly and replied: itself is quite and weigh McMahon information an appeal.” have this of making consequences
The Journal11 March 2009 Wednesday
ty "baffled" » Universi
at outrage
ve letter over dismissi
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WEDNESDAY
29 OCTOBER
2008
ISSUE XII
EDINBURGH’S
STUDENT
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it of guy then member type to win.” country club almost has old, white, think Obama page 20 elects the usual to democracy. I » Comment “If America disservice we really? - but do will be a terrible protestors “We own
the banks,”
claim banking
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voting that in Electronic thousands vote disenfranchised Parliament 2007 Scottish for Edinburgh return is set to council by-election
» 15
NATIONAL POLITICS
10 of footage, and 3,000 hours Reuters an million images: up to deliver ITN team online research invaluable resource
ACADEMIC NEWS
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projects housing Planned million leave worth £7.5 areas looking many greenbelt vulnerable
EDINBURGH
Last week’s
HBOS takeover
protests
saw angry
campaigners
demand
money back
from “greedy
bankers”
Mickael
Binon
NEWS » 9
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★ NO COUNTRY MEN? FOR OLD IN GROUND ★ ON THE PENNSYLVANIA & FEY 2008: ★ BROLIN THE YOUTUBE TICKET
being problems » P16 one of the collect BUILDUP Conversely, opportunities to taken US ELECTIONS is that head of not being “We addressed feedback are the School of Jeff Haywood, Professor told the SRC: we individual Last year Services, what allowed nonup by students. Information push to help us do Political Studiesthrough their to Social and to go need you very students IN BRIEF however, by Guy Brohonours need to do.” with a tutor; was invited affairs & Guy Robertson THE EUSA SRC The Journal exam scriptsthis opportunity. of academic by this: Student up president puzzled Reprefew took mley, vice University as a Good is meetThe Students Professor attend a Council (SRC) 100 students at the Edinburgh these initiatives sentative the mea(EUSA), to representatives body of around existing to public “We introduced pressure but haven’t Association is an elected class of Edinburgh the university. represtudent of student so far clearly UNPRECEDENTEDover poor clear that at the University concerns to ing with by five concern on result IN AN student have taken SRC. It was pressure first proposed represent to student vice principals of sures we before the debate are this response the affairs, welfare,and were mountingon voicing the Topics for reinforced (external feedback, were hauled worked.” sentatives & learning academic principals need to work subcommittees and are intent are of Edinburgh CounThe vice services, teaching for the SRC the schools students. academic the University saying: “We Elections arrangto find out of Student Representative sentiment, representatives included postgraduates).in the second semester. concerns week. before the allow aren’t always meeting last rated the worst held annually Their initiatives meetings to with student concil (SRC) was feedback these opportunities to make in the recent ing cross-department The university some of successful informal why up, what can be done is at stake.” is of the utmost for feedback (NSS) measurand why taken the comparison University in the UK that it and submitting collect feedbackup more readily Student Survey tact and He declared the problem is addressed approaches National are taken in the that principals by students per possibilities student surveys. ing satisfaction. of the vice seriously importance effectively. 50 arranged A survey than others.” how showed that The attendance quickly and princiemphasised Department that their course highest 2 the vice felt at the SRC being taken at the on page meeting of a Finance the surconcern is Continued At the SRC on the importance The cent of students The results of the matter highlighted official cult. students. focussed was too diffi sent to course organisers. levels, and staff and reputation. Studies, pals been between vey have know immediately Political dialogue for the university’s said, must Social and said: “It’s a big Head of staff, they Good is unsatisfactory. to be Anthony feedback Professor it’s embarrassing of the when issue because The reputation in this position.
Katie Oakes
news@journal-online.co.uk
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Lib dems call for minimum income Education spokeswoman leads motion on increased student support
NATIONAL POLITICS » 13
The Journal revealed details of the contentious letter earlier in March, alongside the scathing remarks from EUSA president Adam Ramsay
Peterson’s letter has attracted criticism for its “facetious” tone, particularly the warning that “it would be a tremendous shame if you [students] chose your courses on the basis of who you think would ‘mark kindly’, as opposed to what subjects interest you.” However, Ramsay has since expressed regret for the comments he made in reference to Prof. Petersons article. Seeking to move on from the row, and towards more productive dialogue with the department, he said: “My comments about John were clearly a personal attack, and I have written to him to apologise for this. We are now meeting to discuss how EUSA and the politics department can work together to move forwards on feedback.” Ramsay also refused to confirm whether Peterson had made any reference to legal action in correspondence with the EUSA president.
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COMMENT »15 EDDIE FISHER
THE HEAD OF the University of Edinburgh’s politics and international relations department has threatened legal action against the president of the Edinburgh University Students’ Association over comments made about a letter sent out over assessments and feedback. The Journal understands that Professor John Peterson sent a letter to EUSA President Adam Ramsay after Ramsay was quoted in the last edition of The Journal as saying that Peterson had “failed to deliver the quality of teaching that it is his job to provide.” In the letter, Peterson allegedly demands a retraction, and is believed to have intimated that he will seek legal advice if this is not forthcoming. According to a EUSA source, who wished to remain anonymous, Ramsay revealed the details of the letter at Monday’s Student Representative Council (SRC) Executive meeting. The announcement was made in line with the association’s protocol which requires all sabbatical officers to provide details of their engagements over the past week. The row kicked off last month after Peterson sent a letter to students in which he attributed “an inordinate number” of student concerns over marking to reasons “including the difficulty of avoiding the edginess and gloom inevitably induced by recession.” In response to a number of student complaints, Ramsay told The Journal: “The point isn’t one letter. As head of subject, John Peterson clearly needs to be focussing on teaching; however, he has recently given up some of the time he spends on teaching in favour of research. “He is hardly leading by example in the effort to improve teaching and feedback quality.” Vice principals at the University were hauled before the SRC in October last year after the university was rated
STUDENT NEWS » 11