Not content with charging £3000 fees and driving more students into debt, in an attempt to safe guard themselves Oxford University will be asking their new September intake of students to sign a contract. This ‘ I’ll try harder’ contract will effectively bind students to going to all lectures, all tutorials and demand an agreement that all coursework and assessment will be done on time.

Of course I think that students should make a commitment to get the best of their opportunities at college or university. I also think that students should be able to concentrate on their work and only engage in activities that will truly enrich their lives and help develop them as well rounded individuals. However, this is the real world and unfortunately students have to work. The majority of students have to take up paid employment, not only during the summer, not only during the weekends, not only in the evenings but now many students are having to juggle lectures and tutorials with paid work.

It’s rumored that more universities will be asking their students to sign these contracts. I would urge them all to think again. Instead of taking the rug from under students’ feet, instead of trying to trip students up why not resource advice and welfare services to students so they have someone to talk to about their concerns both academic and financial. Let’s demand that students get the right information about their courses and are not misled by prospectus so that they don’t feel the need to question their institution.

I believe that the where students have sued their university for one reason or another has been taken out of all proportion. Institutions must take heed. Students have to commit to much more than they ever did. I’m sure that the leaders of said institution didn’t have to stack shelves at Sainsbury’s or do a few hours behind the bar to get a bit of extra cash when they were at university. My message to them is this; Ditch this ridiculous idea, stop trying to cover your own back, listen to students and do more to meet their needs.

Thank you!!

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