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Students awarded £400,000 compensation after complaints | Students awarded £400,000 compensation after complaints |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Universities in England and Wales paid £400,000 in compensation to students last year, following complaints. | Universities in England and Wales paid £400,000 in compensation to students last year, following complaints. |
In 2014, the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (OIA) ruled on 2,175 cases, with 500 going in favour of the students. | In 2014, the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (OIA) ruled on 2,175 cases, with 500 going in favour of the students. |
Disputes over academic issues such as degree classification or marks for work formed 61% of complaints. | Disputes over academic issues such as degree classification or marks for work formed 61% of complaints. |
Universities UK said that two million students were covered by the system and the percentage of complaints was small. | Universities UK said that two million students were covered by the system and the percentage of complaints was small. |
The £400,000 in compensation was paid to 200 students following recommendations made to individual universities by the OIA. | The £400,000 in compensation was paid to 200 students following recommendations made to individual universities by the OIA. |
Of the 2,175 complaints dealt with 59% were found unjustified, 14% were found ineligible for OIA intervention and 5% were withdrawn. | Of the 2,175 complaints dealt with 59% were found unjustified, 14% were found ineligible for OIA intervention and 5% were withdrawn. |
'Thorough job' | |
Less than a quarter, 23% (figures do not add up to 100% owing to rounding) went in favour of the student. | Less than a quarter, 23% (figures do not add up to 100% owing to rounding) went in favour of the student. |
OIA chief executive Rob Behrens said: "Depending on the case, this may lead to the student being given a second chance to submit work or appeal against a decision, cancellation of a penalty imposed by a university, or financial compensation, which in 2014 reached almost £400,000. | OIA chief executive Rob Behrens said: "Depending on the case, this may lead to the student being given a second chance to submit work or appeal against a decision, cancellation of a penalty imposed by a university, or financial compensation, which in 2014 reached almost £400,000. |
"As importantly, the report shows that, overall, universities are doing a thorough job in dealing with the majority of complaints fairly." | "As importantly, the report shows that, overall, universities are doing a thorough job in dealing with the majority of complaints fairly." |
The number of complaints dealt with by the OIA has remained pretty steady, at about 2,000 during the past three years. | The number of complaints dealt with by the OIA has remained pretty steady, at about 2,000 during the past three years. |
Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of Universities UK, said: "The shift in England from public funding to increased fees means that students are understandably, and rightly, demanding more from their university courses. | Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of Universities UK, said: "The shift in England from public funding to increased fees means that students are understandably, and rightly, demanding more from their university courses. |
"Universities are responding to this and are also improving the amount of information to students about courses to ensure that their experience matches their expectations. | "Universities are responding to this and are also improving the amount of information to students about courses to ensure that their experience matches their expectations. |
"It is important to remember that the total number of complaints found to be justified or partly justified [500] represents a small percentage of the two million students covered by the scheme in England and Wales." | "It is important to remember that the total number of complaints found to be justified or partly justified [500] represents a small percentage of the two million students covered by the scheme in England and Wales." |
Sexual harassment | Sexual harassment |
The OIA report also said it had dealt with complaints from students involved in protests, who had been unhappy with the way their university had handled the situation. | The OIA report also said it had dealt with complaints from students involved in protests, who had been unhappy with the way their university had handled the situation. |
And each year it received a small number of complaints from students who may be victims or alleged perpetrators in cases of sexual harassment and assault on campus. | And each year it received a small number of complaints from students who may be victims or alleged perpetrators in cases of sexual harassment and assault on campus. |
It said: "It should be of concern to everyone working and studying in higher education that cases occur of unwanted physical contact, unwanted advances, initiation ceremonies, sexual innuendo and threats. | It said: "It should be of concern to everyone working and studying in higher education that cases occur of unwanted physical contact, unwanted advances, initiation ceremonies, sexual innuendo and threats. |
"We have made, and providers have implemented, recommendations about improving support and strengthening processes to help students, and also staff, involved in such cases. | "We have made, and providers have implemented, recommendations about improving support and strengthening processes to help students, and also staff, involved in such cases. |
"The OIA's role is not to judge the behaviour but to look at how the providers dealt with complaints or disciplinary cases." | "The OIA's role is not to judge the behaviour but to look at how the providers dealt with complaints or disciplinary cases." |