Learning and Teaching Committee

Subject: Condonement

Origin: Programme Quality Team

Learning and Teaching Committee at its last meeting on 15 February 2007 considered a review of the use of condonement for undergraduate students in session 2005/06 (M.07/04).

In the light of its discussion, the Committee asked the PDQ Team to give further consideration to reflecting in Regulation XX the circumstances in which condonement might be exercised.

This was considered by the PDQ Team on 21 May 2007.

The Team was reminded of the discussions which took place in February 2006 when the condonement provisions were last reviewed following consultations with departments. PDQ at that time advised LTC against introducing tighter regulations, mindful of the intention that condonement should afford examiners a measure of discretion previously lacking. Departments were asked to produce guidelines for their programme boards on the exercise of condonement, which would be subject to review by the ADTs. Because of the industrial action in 2006, the ADTs did not meet together to compare notes on the arrangements proposed across departments and faculties, but departmental guidelines were required to be consonant with the original aims and objectives of condonement. Departments have recently been reminded of these aims and objectives, and asked to provide the ADTs with their latest guidelines.

In the light of the earlier discussions and the monitoring of departmental guidelines by the ADTs, the advice of the Programme Quality Team to LTC is that the condonement provisions in Regulation XX should remain unchanged.

LTC may wish to note that, following on from the above discussion, the ADTs have been asked to consider whether condonement provisions should be introduced for taught PG programmes.