I was concerned to read the rather parochial view to extending the teaching timetable at the University of Exeter to 9pm (“No one fancies the late shift”, News, 12 June).
Clearly, the concerns of staff and students have been given little thought. Childcare issues are one obvious problem, as are issues for anyone with caring responsibilities or disabilities. However, a concern that would affect everyone is quite simply how do staff and students get home after the 9pm lecture ends? Public transport can be unreliable in the evening and there are personal safety issues.
While it might also be feasible to suggest that staff start work later on the day of a 9pm lecture, will the university guarantee that such staff, and their students, will not be given 8.30am lectures?
Clearly Exeter has not thought through the wider implications of such a proposal.
Jo Saunders
Senior lecturer
University of Strathclyde
