While university staff have every right to take part in industrial action and fight for better pay and conditions, the current marking boycott affecting 145 universities seems a step too far in terms of its negative impact on the students involved and their mental health (The pandemic ruined my A-levels – now the marking boycott casts a shadow over my degree, 12 June).
It seems particularly cruel as not all students are involved, as only UCU union members are taking part. My daughter has just finished her degree and has been informed that one of her modules will not be marked. With no news of negotiations, she’s due to graduate with a provisional classification and no final mark, while most of her friends are unaffected.
