Reduction of simple extension still on the cards
A key proposal to reduce simple extension from five down to two days is still being considered by the University after intense discussion between the Academic Standards and Policy Committee (ASPC) and the Students’ Representative Council (SRC). The proposal is part of what the University labels its post-COVID-19 strategy, claiming that the measures are necessary to reflect the post-pandemic teaching landscape.
Current SRC President Harrison Brennan told Honi that he is “disappointed” that the proposal has resurfaced once again despite a petition that garnered 900 signatures last year opposing the measures.
“Simple extension has been providing significant relief to students suffering with COVID-19 and with the ongoing rental and cost of living crisis. Right now, students are working more than they are studying due to a brutal rental market and unforgiving cost of living crisis,” Brennan said.
“Five days simple extension must remain if the university has any care for the wellbeing of students and any care for its performance in the Student Experience Survey (SES) where USyd is one of the lowest for student support and satisfaction.”
The proposal will next be discussed at the ASPC meeting on the 28th after the ASPC was told on the 8th that no vote would be held. Data on how many students use Simple Extensions will also be made available.
Major assessment reforms planned in response to rise in artificial intelligence
Another significant proposal involves sweeping changes to the University’s assessment structure, with the University arguing for adopting a “two lane” approach. The two lanes are labelled as “secure” and “unsecure/open” assessments.
One notable change in the proposal is clarification on students’ ability to use generative artificial intelligence to assist in their studies. For secure assignments, course coordinators may prohibit the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) whereas, for unsecure or open assessments, the use of generative AI is supported and scaffolded.
According to the University’s white paper on the proposal, the approach will mean that academic adjustments will be prioritised for secure assessments as opposed to open assessments. The University aims to minimise the number of academic adjustments needed for open assessments, potentially leading to a reduction in the number of students eligible for academic adjustments for these assignment types.
The University expects a transition period of approximately two years until 2027 when the institution is expected to fully adopt the two-lane approach.
In response to concerns raised by Sydney University Postgraduate Representative Association (SUPRA) and the SRC over disabled students being caught in inflexible Academic Plans, the University has arranged a small number of consultative workshops with both organisations in the coming weeks on the proposal.
Commenting on the changes, Brennan is “thankful” that the University has changed its approach to AI, saying that from 2025 onwards, “students will be permitted to use AI without fear of punishment”. Brennan says that the reforms will “allow the use of AI without the explicit permission of course coordinator[s]” who will be required under the policy to give express instructions to students on whether AI is prohibited in their class.
“The broader changes to assessment and universal design encompassed in the recent ASPC changes will require extensive consultation with students and staff to reach a situation that ensures students, and in particular [that] students with disability are not left behind.”
All OLEs to be graded on a pass/fail basis
Another significant proposal is grading all Open Learning Units (OLE), regardless of their credit value, on a pass/fail basis due to concerns over the units effectively acting as de facto grade boosters.
According to an analysis conducted by Professor Hayley Fisher, OLE units are yielding disproportionate benefits for students, with the average weighted average mark (WAM) for all OLE units being 82.5. This is markedly higher compared to an average WAM of 69.4 across all other units.
Faculties seeing the highest return are Engineering and Science, with the former achieving a whopping 91.3 when OLE units are considered whereas this figure drops to a mere 66.2 when these units are excluded.
In contrast, Business students experienced a reduction in their average mark when OLEs are factored. Honi understands that the Business School is among the few that opposed the proposal at the ASPC meeting.
Unlike the other proposals, this is embraced by SRC President Harrison Brennan whose support is grounded on his preference that OLE units will become redundant in the future.
However, due to stalemate and mixed opinions between faculties over implications on six credit OLE units, with some pressing for applying pass/fail only on two credit units, the proposal will be further amended by the University before being presented to the Academic Board in the near future.
The University of Sydney has been approached for comments and has not issued a response at the time of writing.
