Thursday 24-10-2024 - 14:20

Navigating SEAtS: Your Questions Answered

In a recent Student Voice session (Monday 21^st October 2024), your Full Time Officers invited the Academic Registrar (Stephen Lopez) to provide an in-depth discussion on the SEAtS attendance system and the updated Attendance Monitoring Policy at GCU. This meeting aimed to address both the rationale behind the implementation of SEAtS and the challenges faced by students and staff during the transition. During the session we asked Stephen the most common questions students have been asking.

Transition from Card Swipe to SEAtS

The transition from the outdated card swipe system to SEAtS is driven by several factors. The former system was not compatible with modern operating systems and required significant financial investment for maintenance. Additionally, the card swipe system did not offer students access to their attendance records. The shift to SEAtS aims to address these issues while also reducing the environmental and financial impact of student cards.

Updated Attendance Monitoring Policy

Previously, attendance percentage thresholds were used to monitor student engagement. This policy has now been revised to flag non-engagement at 0% attendance over a three-week period. During this time, students are contacted weekly to identify any issues and provided with necessary support. A grace period has been extended until the beginning of November to allow both staff and students to acclimate to the new system, waiving all attendance monitoring temporarily.

Reasons for Monitoring Attendance

The university monitors attendance for three primary reasons: reporting to the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SASS), compliance with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), and ensuring student welfare, particularly for those not engaging with their studies

QR Code Congestion

To alleviate congestion in large lecture theatres, multiple QR codes have been introduced, and lecturers can request adjustments to their placement. Despite some areas experiencing poor signal connectivity, the campus provides free Wi-Fi to facilitate the system's use.

Addressing Digital Accessibility

Concerns about digital accessibility were raised, noting that not all students have access to smart devices, and battery life can be an issue. While lecturers can manually record attendance, it doesn't always reflect present students correctly. The Academic Registrar emphasized that being marked absent for a single class does not impact a student's record. Plug points are available for charging devices, and the university is exploring solutions to assist students without smart devices. Training and resources have been provided to academic staff to ensure the system is used effectively and that all staff are aware of how to manually register attendance.

Handling SEAtS System Glitches

Issues with SEAtS not registering attendance have been reported, such as students being marked absent despite attending classes. The university reassured students that these errors would not affect their academic record and encouraged students to complete an MS Form for case-by-case assessment. Students unable to attend due to long-term illness can obtain authorized absences without impacting their attendance record.

Future Developments

SEAtS integrates with the university's timetabling system, providing real-time location and attendance tracking. The university is also working to identify and rectify 'ghost classes'—non-existent classes that students may be marked absent for. Efforts are being made to minimize room changes and aim to notify students of last-minute cancellations via the GCU app in the future.

This transition to SEAtS marks a significant step towards enhancing student engagement monitoring at Glasgow Caledonian University. While challenges remain, the university is committed to addressing these issues and ensuring a smooth experience for all students and staff.

You can find out more information on Student Attendance Monitoring from the university here.

You can also watch the video below to find out more information from your Student President and Vice President GSBS:

If you have any issues or questions, you can contact the Full Time Officer Team at:

Wilfred Obi: president@gcustudents.co.uk
Laiba Tareen: vp.scebe@gcustudents.co.uk
Oluwatomisin Osinubi: vp.gsbs@gcustudents.co.uk
Friday Oshiotse: vp.shls@gcustudents.co.uk