With my university?

[657904I]

I am studying part time and work full time. Unexpectedly, I was sexually harassed at work. Therefore this had an impact to my degree, as I was dealing with stressful employment/police investigations. It’s had a big impact to my health.

I contacted my university/tutors and made them aware, the response I got was indifference. There were mixed messages and fragmentation, as they didn’t seem to think it was something the university needed to do anything with. I was frequently passed around to different people, having to re-explain all over again. I felt more stressed after contacting the university than I did before contacting them as they treated me like a nuisance.

After I complained about their approach, my complaint was upheld. They made noises about “don’t hesitate to speak to your tutor for support” etc and outlined support such as assignment extensions. They also directed me to completed a disabled student application form. I explained it’s not relevant as I’m not disabled - I just wanted short term support. So they reiterated extensions might help.

I recently asked that tutor for an extension on an assignment and in response was sent a patronising email telling me off for doing so. I don’t really understand why they did that as I followed policy. Aibu to ask for a new tutor? The university seems to be backing him up.

Often tutors can't grant extensions themselves. You submit a mitigating circumstances form with evidence and an extension is agreed or not. Have you checked the policy on how to do this or asked your dept admin?

I am sorry for why happened to you, and you'd have been granted an extension where I worked if you'd submitted the form and police documentation.

@murasaki

Thank you.

Yes - in my university tutors have full discretion to agree extensions. He was the right person to direct it to. I have also supplied documentation in the past.

My tutor basically said I don’t have a good enough reason but he’ll accept it “this once.” It just feels like getting blood out of a stone and tbh, like he just doesn’t understand or want to understand.

Just wow, that is really awful behaviour. It's a very good reason. I'd certainly have expected more consideration from him.

I assume if your complaint was upheld, then the Head of Department is aware. If not, they should be.

Very unusual for tutors to be the sole
route for assessment extensions. At all UK universities I’ve worked/ studied at extensions are always granted through student support services/ academics do not get involved with extensions and have minimal involvement in discussing these types of situations with students. We generally get advised not to as we are not appropriately trained mental health professionals.

Thanks both. I don’t want to be outing but it’s not a traditional university, you might be able to infer which one it is.

Ah. In which case an understanding that events at work might impact studies should be expected.

As should a bit of compassion, at every institution.

If it is the one I think, I had similar (I do appreciate not the same) several years ago. I asked for an extension because my DM had died very suddenly and I needed to arrange the funeral and deal with everything myself because my siblings were not in the country at the time. I only asked for a one week extension. The response I got from student services (or whatever they are called) was, "Sorry, but there will always be something, next assessment you will probably have another problem, it's just life". I dug my heels in, and got the extension, but they made it much harder than it needed to be at a very difficult time.

Good luck OP, with this, and the rest of your degree. Stick with it, it will be worth it - or take your credits to somewhere else!

Thank you both. I think you correctly inferred which university it is too!

Just wanted to update that they have changed my tutor now, so hopefully things improve here!

@Triptothepark that was a horrible response to you, but im not surprised as it seems exactly like the people I have been dealing with! Sorry you went through that.

Good news!