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Oxford University To Allow Special Consideration In Exams For Students Feeling ‘Traumatised’ By George Floyd‘s Death 

Swarajya StaffJun 18, 2020, 09:38 AM | Updated 09:38 AM IST
Image Courtesy: YourNewsUKtv@YourNewsUKtv. Students Protest outside Oriel College

Image Courtesy: YourNewsUKtv@YourNewsUKtv. Students Protest outside Oriel College


Oxford University has said that students who feel the 'traumatic effect of the brutality' of George Floyd's death can apply for for mitigating circumstances considerations., Evening Standard reported.

Professor Louise Richardson, the University Vice-Chancellor, announced the decision following sustained pressure from activists and campaigners who claimed that the horrific video of Floyd's last moments had an indelible impact on black students.

Prof. Richardson expressed her thanks to the students for writing to her about “the traumatic effect of the brutality which killed George Floyd” and said the death of the unarmed African American in US police custody was “a manifestation of institutionalised racism”.

“Any student taking university assessments who feels their performance has been affected should submit a self-assessment mitigating circumstances form after their final examination or assessment,” she added.

Once a student fills the self-assessment mitigating circumstances form, usually a board of examiers will be carefully review it and may consider providing various kinds of relief

Professor Richardson also said that departments in social sciences have commenced work on making their curriculum more inclusive and adding diverse voices to it.

Prof Richardson also told the Oxford students’ union that maths and science degrees had secured a grant to “decolonise” curriculums, calling it “an area that is frequently overlooked”.

The university recently witnessed protests by students who called for a removal of the statue of Cecil Rhodes, a mining magnate and philantrophist. He is also seen as a divisive figure who played a key role in ushering in apartheid system.

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