Hello everyone!

For the academic year of 2025/26 Humanities and Liberal Arts students have not been given a reading week. This is very confusing for the vast majority of students considering the amount of reading they are required to do on a weekly basis. A reading week in each semester is essential for these courses; it provides the vital time for students to complete essential readings and the time to expand their individual learning and thinking time. Reading week would improve both in lecture discussions as well as individual intellectual and academic growth. 

With the cost of living crisis, students no longer have a lot of time left out side of university's contact hours for independent studying as many now work in their free time to afford rent and basic necessities. A reading week benefits these students; especially since many students are negatively impacted by circumstances which are beyond their control, they should be given the opportunity to breathe and catch up with their peers. Similarly, students with learning disabilities need more time to better comprehend topics they may struggle with and thoroughly go though the material that will give them confidence in their knowledge.  

What is most confusing about the Humanities and Liberal Arts courses no longer having a reading week is that this is not the case for Theology students. Such inequality and inconsistency within the School of Theology and the Arts fosters a sense of favouritism and creates a hierarchy among students. 

This petition asks that the following be addressed:

1. Why was the reading week removed?
2. Why did the Theology course get to keep the reading week?
3. To have the reading week be reinstated for all Humanities and Liberal Arts courses as of the academic year of 2026/27.

This petition has been created as a result of direct student feedback.

Thank you.