NUI Galway Students’ Union Slams University for Reckless Attitude to Students’ Health

NUI Galway Students’ Union Slams University for Reckless Attitude to Students’ Health

NUI Galway Students’ Union has slammed University Management for its reckless attitude to students’ health and well-being. Despite the increase in Covid numbers and guidelines to reduce social contacts, NUI Galway is insisting on holding in-person exams next month in the run up to Christmas. Students will be required to attend exam centres in their thousands where they will be required to stay for up to three hours at a time.

Last year, all exams were held online but the University is adamant that in-person exams take place this year. Other colleges have changed their plans to hold in-person exams and have made alternative arrangements. As recently as last Tuesday University College Cork announced their plans to move exams online to remove any anxiety and ambiguity during the current wave of Covid-19.

NUI Galway Students’ Union President Róisín Nic Lochlainn said: “The stubborn refusal by University Management is playing Russian roulette with the health of students and their families. We are talking about forcing people to attend multiple super-spreader events right before they go home to their families for Christmas. This is reckless and irresponsible from University Management, particularly when there is a tried and tested alternative available.”

NUI Galway Students’ Union Vice President / Education Officer, Clodagh McGivern said: “We are getting hundreds of calls from students and their parents who are worried about contracting Covid-19 during exams. Parents are genuinely worried about Covid coming into their homes, and the homes of elderly relatives, as a result of their children having to attend exams in person. We have pleaded with University Management to follow the example of other colleges who have moved their exams online but there is a point blank refusal to engage.

We have heard a lot about NUI Galway being crowned University of The Year, but this total disregard for the health of students and their families really makes you wonder”