Miscommunication leads to missed class for Vet students

Vet students were left frustrated by a mix up in communication between Massey and a lecturer which resulted in many missing a two-hour lecture during the last lockdown. 

Third year Vet student Staria says that Vet students were told that all classes would be held online on the Monday 8 March and Mediasite recordings were cancelled. She tells Massive, “On Monday, Andrew Worth ran his two hours of lectures in person and because of that late notice barely a third of the class came, and it was never recorded for the others at home.”  

Staria believes the blame lies with issues in Massey’s communication to its staff. “I think most of the communication issues are related to Covid-19 and instructions don’t get passed around all staff, and then staff don’t all follow the same guidelines.” 

Classmate Kylie* says that she believes there was still an audio recording made of the lecture for those that couldn’t make it, but agrees that there was a failure of communication on Massey’s part when it came to getting information to its staff. “In general Massey is really poor at communicating with both staff and students.” Her classmate Catherine agreed with this point, but added that “it is hard when the situation is changing constantly so I’m sure they were trying their best”.  

Massey says that that Monday was still operating on the Level 2 timetable, despite Manawatū being in Level 1, because of the time it takes to change the timetable and buildings and was planned to return to normal the next day. 

“The intention of the lecturer having returned from leave (away from internet coverage) and knowing the country was in Alert Level 1, was to present in the lecture theatre for those that were in attendance, but that anyone who was wanting to follow online would be able to do so given virtually all the BVSc lectures are in Mediasite capable rooms with recordings available,” Massey said. 

The Mediasite recording did not record because the room booking was not reinstated for the class in time. “When the lecturer realised that the lecture wasn’t being recorded, they recorded audio on their phone to share with the class.” Students disappointed to miss the lecture have the option to listen via the recording made on the day, or in addition, the lecturer has also offered to repeat and record the lecture using Zoom if needed.