Student chief quits over dispute

Miss Corn has served less than a year as guild president

A student leader at Aberystwyth University has left her post over a UK-wide lecturers' pay dispute with universities.

Rebecca Corn, president of Aberystwyth Guild of Students, has accused the university of not doing enough to resolve the wrangle over pay.

She claimed that an ongoing lecturers' boycott of marking could force exams to be cancelled next week in Aberystwyth.

The university said it could not resolve the dispute on its own.

It added that it was surprised by Miss Corn's decision as "constructive discussions" had taken place between senior management and the guild over recent weeks.

On Monday, the Association of University Teachers (AUT) and Natfhe refused the latest proposed wage increase of 12.6% over three years.

It is impossible to adequately defend the rights of students in this situation Rebecca Corn

The Universities and Colleges Employers' Association (UCEA), which Aberystwyth's vice chancellor sits on, said this was "irresponsible" and that an ongoing boycott of exam and coursework marking must end.

Miss Corn, who was to complete her term as Aberystwyth president in July, resigned at the guild's annual meeting following the meeting between employers and lecturers.

She said: "It is impossible to adequately defend the rights of students in this situation.

"The issue has escalated to such a point that I am no longer able to fulfil my role as a student representative, since the voice of students does not seem to be being heard."

In a statement, the university said negotiations over lecturers' pay was being conducted at a national level.

"It is not within the powers of the University of Wales, Aberystwyth to resolve the dispute on its own," said the university.

"The commitment of vice-chancellors to concluding a settlement at the earliest opportunity remains total and they continue to urge the unions to respond constructively to the offer currently on the negotiation table."

The university added: "The effect of the action on student assessment at Aberystwyth is patchy."

It said it took its responsibilities seriously to ensure all students were treated equitably and protected "as far as possible" from the consequences.

The university added that students were being kept informed of developments.