Universities alter student contracts to avoid COVID claims

iNews 01 April 2022

A number of top universities in the United Kingdom have changed the contracts they make students sign at the start of the year in an apparent bid to protect against claims for refunds if teaching is disrupted by COVID-19, writes Will Hazell foriNews.

The universities of Edinburgh, Glasgow and Leeds, an investigation by The Tab student newspaper found, changed their terms and conditions since COVID struck in 2020 to add clauses which potentially limit their liability for pandemics. In a section of Edinburgh’s student contract spelling out the events in which it would not be “liable to you for any failure to carry out ... any of our obligations”, the university added a reference to “pandemics, epidemics, or disruption from pandemics or epidemics”.

Glasgow added a reference to “pandemics” to the liability section of its contract, while Leeds included a new section saying that it “might still need to change courses and other elements of the student experience”, including potentially cancelling courses and closing facilities.
Full report on the iNews site

Receive UWN's free weekly e-newsletters

A new global university ranking with an ethical mission

Aftab Dean

A new university ranking system aims to serve as a catalyst for positive transformation in higher education, ensuring that universities create an environment grounded in integrity and sustainability that inspires and supports students and staff in the development of novel solutions to global challenges.

Promoted by Globethics.net.

SDG progress report launches university into new territory

University of Pretoria staff

In the publication of its first progress report on its contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals, the University of Pretoria is navigating new territory at the same time as it is acknowledging its clear stewardship role in protecting the environment and biodiversity.

Promoted by the University of Pretoria.

Researchers in the UAE tackle water scarcity at its core

UAE University staff

Water scarcity has long been an issue in countries such as the United Arab Emirates. But the country’s National Water and Energy Center, based at the United Arab Emirates University, is providing solutions for the efficient exploration, development, use, storage and sustainability of the precious resource.

Promoted by United Arab Emirates University.