PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (Trinidad Express) – Students at the University of the West Indies’ (UWI) St Augustine campus are feeling a sense of déjà vu as, for the second successive semester, grades are being withheld.

The Students’ Guild is now requesting that the university’s Summer School registration period, which ended on Saturday, be reopened as a result of the non-release of grades.

The first semester of UWI’s 2014-2015 academic year ended on December 19.

Grades for that semester were withheld as lecturers began protest action against the administration over salary arrears.

The students protested over the non-issuance of their grades as it affected their registration for the second semester, which began on January 18.

At the end of January, the West Indies Group of University Teachers (WIGUT), the union representing lecturers and administration at the St Augustine campus, was able to settle its impasse and grades were eventually released on February 6.

Grades for semester two are now being withheld and this is being linked to ongoing protest action with non-academic staff at the university.

During semester two, examinations held in April at the Sport and Physical Education Centre (SPEC) at the St Augustine campus were interrupted by a group of 35 silent protesters who walked around the room.

The protesters wore Oilfield Workers Trade Union (OWTU) T-shirts and walked around for 15 minutes, without any intervention from the invigilators.

Semester II at The UWI St Augustine campus ended on May 15.

Semester III, commonly known as Summer School, began on May 18.

The Students’ Guild yesterday sent an e-mail to campus registrar Richard Saunders calling for the Summer School registration period to be reopened.

“As a matter of urgency, the Guild of Students is asking that you please give the necessary correspondence to have the Summer School registration period reopened,” stated a letter signed by Students’ Guild secretary Nikoli Edwards.

“The Guild president has indicated that stemming from a conversation between you both, an assurance was given that you would consult with the Examinations Department.

“However, to date, no new information has been given on this matter or changes observed,” the letter added.

The Guild said it has been “inundated” with e-mails from students on the issue.

“Administration is yet to provide the Guild in writing with a definite date by which grades will be released,” the letter stated.

“The Guild is therefore of the firm view that the Campus’ Administration has failed the students in this regard. Communication is key to our relationship and this continues to be overlooked,” it said.

Summer School is traditionally used as a period for full-time students who fail exams to repeat courses, as well as a means for both part-time and evening students to complete required courses.

“Due to the non-release of official grades to the students by the registration deadline date for Summer School, a number of students have been up in arms as to whether they need to resit courses or whether they have been successful in their first attempt at the course,” the letter stated.

The Guild said the new grade point system adopted by the UWI this academic year has also affected the student’s ability to “truly predict a potential outcome” of exams.