Changes for 2010/11 academic year

Personal Extenuating Circumstances

Why?

• Simplify for students – students were confused by PCAP, concession, and other adjustments.

• More linear – rectify some anomalies in processing and appeal mechanisms.

• OIA recommended universities review practice in this area.

• More efficient – may save effort at academic unit and University level.

Overview – previous arrangements 2009/10

Overview – 2010/11 arrangements

Overview –arrangements for 2011/12 (tbc)

PEC – for 2010/11 academic year

• New PEC form replaces PCAP, extension request and concession form.

• Single form for students.• 2010/11 is a transition year.• 2010/11 academic unit has more authority – i.e. to approve

advance deferrals.• New PEC Committee – replaces Scrutiny Sub-Committee.

Has role through the year. Involve someone from outside the discipline.

Also – recommended new DPD Permission form.

– new 2010/11 Concession procedure

PEC Committee options – 2010/11

• Not approve.• Extension.• Exemption.• Deferral to next normal occasion (if evidence and

advance notice).• Refer to UCC – 2010/11• Refer to other authority – e.g. DPD, Exams for

temporary adjustment.• Hold for pre-Board of Examiners meeting and

recommendation for discretion.

PEC – for 2011/12 - tbc

• Subject to Senate approval, 2011/12 University Concessions Committee dissolved and more authority transfers to academic units. Additional authority, e.g.:– To give back attempts– To set extraordinary exams

• Revised and single appeal process: Academic and Extenuating Circumstances Appeal Procedure.

• Further benchmarking and case studies for newly delegated authority – and for new Appeal procedure.

PEC Form - for 2010/11

• To be completed by student.

• Trying to get students tofocus on how they wereaffected.

• -> Staff role is todetermine outcome,rather than student trying to ask for aspecific outcome.

PEC Form - for 2010/11

• Attempt to guide staff byhaving some outcomeoptions clearly notedon the form.

Some issues - work at academic unit level

• Decision on E.C. item (e.g. advanced deferral) is no more significant than decision on degree class, individual mark etc.

• Evidence evaluation is same as for former PCAP• Greater control of student submissions is desirable• Reduced paperwork for concessions• More rapid decisions• Support from NeSS / SAP developments tbc

c.1000 concessions in 2009. Paperwork prepared by the academic unit – including recommendation and level of support. 85% approved and all but 2 in line with recommendation from academic unit.

Some issues – reporting and standards

• PEC Committee membership from outside the discipline.

• Annual reports to FTLC – AMR items?• SPS to collate a report for UTLC.• SPS to do a future benchmarking exercise.

For further information, please contact Maggie Donnelly or Katie Twomey:

Telephone: 0191 222 6153

Email: casework@ncl.ac.ukTemp: Website:

www.ncl.ac.uk/students/progress/student-resources/help/PEC.htm