Inclusive assessment
The University of Waikato strives to ensure that all students are successful in their studies and provided with the support they need to do so.
Accessibility and inclusivity in education is achieved when:
- Students with their whānau are placed at the centre of education
- Barrier free access is provided to all students
- Students experience quality teaching and leadership
- Learning is relevant to the lives of New Zealanders today
Accessibility Services
Accessibility Services works collaboratively with students at the University of Waikato to empower individuals with impairments to reach their goals and achieve their full academic potential.
Support can be provided to students in a number of ways, including:
- Note-takers in lectures and tutorials.
- NZ sign language interpreters.
- Resource materials in alternative formats.
- Alternative test and exam arrangements, including a reader/writer, additional time and separate space.
- Assistive technologies.
Accessibility Services can help you interpret the regulations and guidelines that are in place to help support students with impairments. These include:
The use of te reo Māori in assessment
In recognition of the status of te reo Māori as a tāonga protected under the Treaty of Waitangi, and as reflected in the Māori Language Act 1987, the University of Waikato endorses the right of its students to use te reo Māori in written work for assessment within the University.
Individual Divisions and the Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies are responsible for ensuring that the policy can be fulfilled in their programmes and that they have processes in place to support it. Outside of the Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies, the first point of contact for students or staff is their Associate Dean Māori who will liaise with the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Māori if an assessment requires translation.
In keeping with the above and in accordance with its Charter commitments, the University seeks to have sufficient suitable staff employed or available throughout its Divisions and the Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies to ensure that any work submitted in te reo Māori would be assessed in that language by staff competent in the subject under examination and in te reo Māori.
Conditions
The use of te reo Māori in assessment is subject to a number of conditions (see policy in full here):
- Students must give 14 days notice of their intention in presenting all or part of an internal assessment in te reo Māori;
- Examiners of the assessment must be linguistically competent in teo reo Māori, as determined by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Māori or their nominee