UCU encourages students to seek compensation for teaching disruption
The Imperial branch of University and College Union (UCU), a trade union, shared a link inviting students to ask the College Provost for compensation following teaching disruptions caused by industrial action.
Imperial UCU noted that unless students opt out, a copy of the form would be sent to them to “help advocate for compensation, with a view to lobbying the university to end the dispute and stop the disruption”.
The page, which was posted on Sunday 23rd November and circulated by some departmental reps within the student body, states: “If your teaching or learning has been disrupted because of industrial action, you have the right to request financial compensation.”
Guidance from the Office for Students (OfS) specifies that “providers should pay appropriate compensation” for missed teaching that has not been “repeated or replaced in a timely manner”.
This summer, a Freedom of Information request revealed Newcastle University handed out a total of £2.4m to close to 11,000 students as of July as compensation for “missed teaching” due to strikes last year.
An Imperial College London spokesperson said: “While we respect the right of our trade unions to undertake industrial action, Imperial staff are working hard to minimise disruption on teaching and assessment activities.
“Where teaching cannot be delivered as scheduled, it may be rescheduled, delivered by another member of staff, or delivered in a different format.”
