Leicester University Strikes

[katystar]

My DS19 1st year at Leicester Uni studying history has had nothing but strikes since he started. He’s know had an email to say this is planned to continue until august 2026. Is it worth him deferring 2nd year as he’s had 20% of the learning time he should have so far, and working for a year and then going back when hopefully things are a bit more settled? Any advice anyone in the same boat?

This is a Higher Ed topic rather than Further; you could report your post and ask for it to be moved to Higher, where you might get more of a response.

Thank you was on this thread about colleges for DS2 and further ed 🤦‍♀️ I’ve reported and asked to be moved.

We've moved this for you as requested OP. Best of luck to your son on his studies!

I don't think you would be able to guarantee a different experience next year. You should also consider the financial implications of an interruption (if he is living in hall for example).

Is this also something that might be worth considering?

https://le.ac.uk/about/info/contact/student-complaints/industrial-action-formal-complaints

I would seriously think about seeking a transfer or applying elsewhere (although there are lots of local disputes across the sector).

Sorry he has had such a horrible experience. Does he have the necessary support from his peers and staff?

thank you it’s rubbish to be honest. He is living at home and has filled all the forms out, but it’s just knowing what’s best and what to recommend. I didn’t go to uni so trying to get my head round the system and then this is throwing me for the best advice to give.

What a shame. There should be advice available from the university, either the Student's Union, or the university support service (or both).

Might also be worth speaking to his personal tutor.

He is yet to get a personal tutor or meet them. He keeps asking he only meet his DSA tutor this week online.

That's crazy--he should ask his department head about that ...

When I wanted to change courses I emailed director of same subject at a different uni a polite email with my request and reasons why and they agreed and looped in their student services. I then phoned my admissions office and discussed and they sorted it all out. Could he do something similar? Bham maybe or derby, Notts?

But to be fair first year is not worth anything anyway, so he doesnt need to worry so much, but even so is it likely to continue next year? What's the general feeling like there? Could he ask his student services or director of jus subject for some clarification or drop in on open office hours? It's worth a trip in to speak face to face to someone rather than email or online.

Yes, you can contact other universities but it will likely be for next year so your original plan for interruption/withdrawal is something to seriously consider.

What is your son's sense of all this?

Sorry, got a bit muddled about who was talking there but the advice remains the same!

I wouldn't defer at Leicester. Sounds like there may be not much left of the history dept in the future - that's what the strikes are for- trying to stop compulsory redundancies in history and languages and a few other depts.

He should get involved in the picket line and discussion the history of unions, protest and industrial relations with tutors, so at least he's learning.

I wouldn't bank on next year being better - there's been problems at Leicester for a few years now. (I went there and follow some of my old tutors on social media). Humanities are particularly affected.

It's such a shame, it was a lovely uni.

He has been on the picket line and very involved, but he is getting depressed and barely leaving the house so trying to figure if another year and £9500k of debt is worth it for not much teaching or support which has been shocking, I’m so grateful he stayed at home or I don’t think he would have coped. Or a year out to earn some cash and go back once things are settled.
I am all for striking just feel bad for DS as this along with Covid his education and confidence have been massively effected. First year may not be important as I keep reading but it’s still a lot of money and not anything to show.
sorry for the ramble really struggling with what advice to give him.