The University of Manchester responds to student outcry over moving lectures online
This follows the university's recent announcement that the upcoming academic year will consist of 'blended learning', rather than a full return to campus for students.
On Wednesday 7th July, representatives from The Mancunion, the University of Manchester’s student newspaper, spoke with the university’s Senior Leadership Team on their upcoming plans for online learning.
The meeting, which was broadcast live on Facebook, was organised in response to the university’s recent announcement which caused outrage amongst students wishing to fully return to campus in September following the easing of coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions.
In Wednesday’s Q&A session, Dan George (the Associate Vice-President for Blended Learning) expressed how “we are so sorry for all of the stress that this misrepresentation has caused.”
“It is not and has never been our intention to move lectures or teaching permanently online,” George stated, instead expressing their eagerness for students to return to campus in any capacity possible.
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When asked what blended learning will consist of, George stated that it “combines the best of online and digital content with outstanding in-person, on-campus interactions”.
“Anything we’re going to do in the digital space is about enhancing, not replacing, the learning experience”, she added to address students’ concerns that lower-quality teaching and impersonal videos will entirely replace their classes.
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Students also expressed their worries about teaching time, with the petition addressing how blended learning may result in lower contact hours for the many degree programs that consist largely of non-interactive lectures.
However, Dan George dispelled this by stating that “there’s absolutely no driver to reduce contact hours by blended learning”, and instead the university will strive to utilise these hours in better and more interactive ways.
Action has also been taken to ensure that students can play an active part in creating the new blended learning model after the uproar it initially created.
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April McMahon, the Vice-President for Teaching, Learning and Students, stated that the announcement was not intended to be a fixed decision of online content going ahead.
Instead, she stated that “this is your chance to get involved […] help us shape blended learning for after the pandemic, the way that it’s going to give the best value for students.”
The University of Manchester recognises that it has previously made these large decisions with no student input, so open meetings will be held throughout the summer to allow them to have their say.
While other universities may potentially make a similar announcement before the next academic year, the University of Manchester is the first to make a formal announcement.
Featured Image – The University of Manchester
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Man United broadcaster FlexUTD responds after suffering ‘awful’ racist abuse on camera
Danny Jones
Manchester United content creator, YouTuber and digital presenter, FlexUTD, has shared a disappointed but defiant response following a racist incident captured during a video after the game this weekend.
Flex – real name Flex Alexander – is a familiar face among Man United fans and a well-known personality across the online English football culture, having previously worked with another popular fan channel in The United Stand before founding his own brand, United View.
Whilst recording his regular post-match analysis outside Old Trafford after the 1-1 draw against Chelsea on Sunday, the social media influencer was interrupted by a woman and fellow United supporter.
After seemingly giving someone a quick shout-out, she then proceeds to wander out of frame before appearing to utter a racial slur off-camera in the form of an offensive twist on the fan base’s famous anti-Glazer chant.
In the video shared to the official YouTube channel, he is visibly stunned by the racist outburst and members of the crew behind the camera can also be heard asking, “Did you just see what I think you said?”, adding “There’s always one or two.”
The identity of the female United fan is still unknown and although her face remains blurred for legal reasons, Flex himself did come out on social media to ask people to “find this woman” in order for the club to identify her and the authorities to punish her accordingly.
Still taken aback by the racial slur, Flex simply goes on to describe the off-hand abuse as “crazy” before insisting that the moment will be staying the full edit so as not to let the incident go unnoticed.
Ever since the video was released, other Reds, football fans and content creators alike have been sharing their support online.
One person wrote, “It’s 2024 and we’re still seeing people saying racist things and they think they can get away with it. Hope Flex gets justice for this.”, while another tagged the club and added: “Can’t be having these type of fans enter the stadium.”
Flex has since responded online in a separate video, thanking people for their heartfelt messages, but despite assuring that he has a “thick skin”, he quite rightly went on to add that people of colour shouldn’t have to deal with that kind of intolerable behaviour and he is simply “tired”.
Disgraceful. Hope your ok @FlexUTD we are all united together ❤️
Retired striker and former United coach Benni McCarthy also reached out online to offer some kind words, writing: “Hi mate, hope you [are] ok. That was absolutely unnecessary and you shouldn’t have to deal with such behaviour. Stay strong bro and behind you all the way.”
The club themselves are yet to issue a statement regarding the incident but with both current players and former staff responding, it likely won’t be long before the individual is identified and issued with a ban. United had to deal with similar incidents regarding racism and homophobia last season.
It goes without saying that we condemn discrimination in all its forms; our thoughts go out to Flex and everyone else affected by the incident and hope the incident is dealt with swiftly. The beautiful game is for everyone and there’s no room for racism in any walk of life. #KickItOut.
You can watch Flex’s full video addressing the situation, in which he urged people to “stay strong, keep fighting” and “stick together”, down below:
FlexUTD’s full response following the appalling racist incident on 4/11/2024.
Featured Images — United We Stand (via YouTube)/FlexUTD (via X)
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Family pays tribute to ‘big family man’ found dead 10 days after going missing
Daisy Jackson
The family of a man who was found dead in Wigan 10 days after he was reported missing have now paid a touching tribute to him.
David Edmonds, 55, has been described by his loved ones as a ‘big family man’ who loved sports, travel and his family.
David had been missing for nine days after last being seen in the Bodmin Drive area of Platt Bridge at around 11pm on Sunday 20 October.
Tragically after extensive searches, on Wednesday 30 October police found a body, later confirmed as David.
His wife has now released a statement on behalf of his family, describing him as a ‘happy chap’ who was well-loved by his family, friends and colleagues.
She said: “He was a hard worker and worked all his life. His first job was with his father at a local factory, and he worked there from a young age up until recently.
“He was a big Everton supporter and loved going to the matches. He held season tickets since he was a child. David liked all sports and watching anything with a ball, cricket, football, and rugby, especially Wigan rugby.
“He also liked horse racing; we would go to the races in York every year.
“He loved going on holiday and we travelled a lot together, we went to Australia, New York, Tenerife, and Benidorm.
“David was a big family man and adored his three nephews. He will be missed by all of us, he was so loved.
“We would like to thank the police and everyone who shared appeals on social media or went out searching for David.”
David’s family have asked for privacy whilst they grieve his loss.