We are writing to express our deep dissatisfaction and concern regarding your recent decision to mark our dissertations, and to bring to your attention certain issues that have caused significant distress among the student body.

First and foremost, the lack of communication surrounding the decision to have you mark our dissertations is disheartening. We were under the assumption that our respective tutors, who have guided us throughout our academic journey, would be responsible for assessing our dissertations at a later date. We believe it is crucial to have a say in the process. We want the people who know us as students, our mentors who are the most qualified to mark our work accurately. Particularly considering these are the pinnacle of our undergraduate lives, as well as the bedrock and development of our future careers.

Furthermore, we were disappointed to learn that you discussed your actions with the press without engaging in a meaningful dialogue with the students. It is our work at the heart of this matter, and we firmly believe that our voices and perspectives should be heard and considered before such decisions are made. Open and transparent communication with the student body is essential in maintaining a constructive academic environment where both faculty and students can collaborate effectively.

In light of these concerns, we respectfully request that you refrain from marking any further work, including our dissertations. We strongly believe that our tutors, who are familiar with our research and have invested time in nurturing our academic growth, are better positioned to evaluate and provide feedback on our dissertations. Their expertise and familiarity with our work would undoubtedly contribute to a fair and comprehensive assessment of our efforts.

We kindly request that you address this matter promptly.

By fostering an environment of inclusivity and shared governance, we can ensure that decisions regarding the evaluation of our work are made collaboratively, with the best interests of the student body in mind.

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic significantly compromised our educational experience during our first year at Bristol. However, despite the challenges, we persevered and managed to overcome the obstacles, demonstrating our resilience and commitment to learning. Therefore, it is utterly outrageous that 40 credits of our third-year work will not be assessed correctly, as this undermines the efforts we have invested in our studies and diminishes the value of our overall academic progression.

We appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to a favourable resolution that takes into account the concerns raised by the student community.

Yours sincerely,
Third Year History of Art Students