In-person exams to go ahead in Athlone TUS

Athlone TUS has confirmed that in-person examinations and assessments will go ahead on campus next week, despite protests from a number of students who have been campaigning to have their classes and exams moved online.

One student who contacted the Westmeath Independent last week said she had made representations to both the college authorities, the Students Union and a number of local councillors in the Athlone area on her own behalf and on behalf of her classmates in an effort to have end of year exams moved online.

“We really feel like our college and Students Union are letting students down who simply want to avoid getting Covid and lowering our risk of bringing it home to our families.” said the student , who wishedto remain anonymous.

The Director of Marketing and Communications with TUS Athlone, Orla Thornton, confirmed that the planning of end of semester examinations in TUS is taking place “in line with the governing public health and safety guidance” and is based around the national ‘Safe Return to Campus’ plan drawn up by Minister for Higher Education.

She pointed out that higher education “remains classified as an essential service” and therefore, the Minister has reiterated that the public health advice is that there is “no change required to planned, current on-site arrangements for the conduct of academic activities.”

TUS has said that there are “some very large venues” on the Athlone campus, such as the Sports Arena, which will be used to “maximise the safety of all students.”

It has also added that the venues which have been earmarked for exams have “the highest levels of ventilation and largest capacity levels” but they are scheduled to have “very low occupancy rates” for the duration of the end of semester exams.

It said it is continuing to work with all stakeholders to ensure a safe environment for students, and will continue to implement all the core public health measures such as mask-wearing, hand sanitation, ventilation; the avoidance of congregation and limiting social contacts, among others.

In a response to the concerns raised by students on the Athlone TUS campus in relation to the upcoming exams, the Vice-President for Welfare with the Students Union, Saoirse Mulvihill confirmed that they had contacted the Registrar and Vice-President of Academic Affairs on the issue of moving the exams online.

Despite having expressed “student concern and grievances” the Students Union was met with the response that the third-level institution will be “following public health guidelines set out by the Government.”

“These guidelines state that it is safe to continue in-person lectures and exams, so unfortunately, until any amendment is made to these guidelines it does not seem that any amendments will occur,” states the Students Union response.

In the meantime, Ms Mulvihill said the Students Union on the Athlone campus is “trying to reassure students that there will be safety procedures put in place” for the exams, in a similar manner to those in place for in-person lecture including mask wearing, ventilation and one-metre social distancing.