Overview
The complainant (Ms C) raised a number of concerns about how The Robert Gordon University (the University) dealt with her admission to the University, examinations, assessment for a learning difficulty, and graduation. Ms C was also concerned about how the University had handled her complaint.
Specific complaints and conclusions
The complaints which have been investigated are that the University:
- (a) failed to consider Ms C for a place in second year in 2005 (upheld);
- (b) scheduled a sitting of final examinations: in August 2009, when they were aware Ms C could not sit them; and in January 2010, which was unreasonably late (not upheld);
- (c) failed to inform Ms C of the requirement to register for graduation prior to the deadline (upheld);
- (d) failed to assess Ms C for a learning difficulty (upheld);
- (e) failed to deal with Ms C's complaints appropriately (not upheld); and
- (f) between June and September 2010, delayed providing the documentation necessary to validate Ms C's qualification in her home country (upheld).
Redress and recommendations
The Ombudsman recommends that the University:
- (i) ensure there is formal administration and record-keeping for dealing with advanced entry applications across the institution, to prevent this situation from happening again;
- (ii) remind School Offices of the need to be proactive in assisting students who have exceptional examination arrangements, to ensure that information on graduation registration is sent to them in good time;
- (iii) review the Disability and Dyslexia Office's (DDS) recording of, and follow-up to, requests from academic staff to contact students for assessment;
- (iv) in order to avoid confusion, formalise their practice on offering DDS screening to students in the final semester of their final year, incorporating the revised turnaround time for receiving assessment reports from Allied Health Professionals;
- (v) clarify their understanding of the documents to be provided, and the specific requirements for such documents, for validation of the BSc (Hons) Nutrition and Dietetics in Ms C's home country; and
- (vi) apologise to Ms C for the failings identified in this report.