Derangement, 1/2/06 (original) (raw)
Oxford draws up student study contracts
Report by John Boone, The Financial Times, 1st February 2006
Oxford University has taken steps to protect itself from disgruntled students by drawing up contracts that will oblige undergraduates to work for their degrees.
The contracts, drafted by Michael Beloff QC, will require a new breed of fee-paying "student consumers" - who are demanding ever higher standards from universities - to do a reasonable amount of work, including attending lectures and completing essays. According to the agreement, students must "pursue such studies as are required of you by any tutor, fellow or lecturer, or other qualified person assigned by the college to teach you".
Oxford hopes the move will give the university some legal protection from disgruntled students who fail to get their expected examination results. Students starting courses at Oxford in October will have to sign the contract, if individual colleges decide to implement the plan. The contracts will be for full-time undergraduates only, although the university said it was investigating whether they could be extended to visiting students.
Oxford already has a similar scheme in place for graduate students who sign an agreement with the university rather than individual colleges. An official said the contract was merely intended as a "template" and colleges were under no obligation to use it. "They can adapt it and consult with their own students." She said there had always been an arrangement between students and the Oxford colleges. "Students are expected to do a minimum level of study. In turn, colleges are expected to provide a minimum level of care and teaching. It was decided that it would be wise to put this into a proper contract so everyone is clear about what they can expect."
Oxford's student union attacked the proposed contracts, saying the responsibilities on the university's side were not specific enough. The contract says a college must "make such teaching provision for undergraduate students as it reasonably decides is necessary for their course of study". Colleges are also obliged to provide student accommodation and meals. It remains uncertain whether other universities will follow Oxford's lead as the higher education market becomes more competitive.
Click for the landmark 2002 Wolverhampton case and link (ex-Akme) to Oxford's contract
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THE OXFORD COLLEGE ACCOUNTS: AKME INDEX AND EXPLANATION
THE SURPRISING TRUTH ABOUT OUP'S 'CHARITABLE STATUS'
THE HISTORY OF AKME AND OF THIS WEBSITE,
THE AKME OXFORD CUTTINGS LIBRARY,
THE AKME LITERARY LAW LIBRARY,
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