Students who took Accountancy 203 in 1975 found it to be a relatively straight-forward course.

This must have been a major sin, for in 1976 the students are certainly doing their penance. In fact, the penance has been to heavy in the first couple of weeks of term, the their other subjects have suffered - some beyond repair.

However, the students in Accountancy 203 have not accepted the course's heavy workload without complaint. They recently spent half an hour of a lecture discussing with the lecturer the problems of the course workload.

Students thought that the workload, with readings, weekly assignments and projects, was excessive for a 6-credit course. Prof Oed had introduced the projects to the course to consolidate to work already being done.

Resultant Problems Exposed

Students are required to submit fully documented 'write up' of a Management Accountancy System using an integrated data-base concept with revisions for both interest and external reports.

Students are left to their own devices on how they are going to present this project. The students had at last been asked to think for themselves - but this, after previous courses in the Department, was a bit too much to handle.

All the underlying problems and frustrations were brought to a head when, a week ago, a single exercise took about three to five hours to complete. (Depending on your ability).

With the fear of the project, and an approaching terms test, it lead to an outburst by the students.

Let's hope that no work is specified. What had been happening was that students had been doing the work and handing it in, but tutors weren't assessing it. What does a tick mean after an assignment?

If students hand in their work they would like it assessed more meaningfully.

Because of the amount of work done in assignments students have had little time to consolidate their learning. They all looked forward to the first terms test with apprehension.

The Work Continues

As for the future, the damage has perhaps been done. I do not look forward to the future. The work just keeps rolling in. Its a good feeling to know that when we return on Easter that we have to sit two term tests, and hand in a project. Yes, we still have our assignments to do.

We hear the cry - The student must plan his course and his work within the course. I say it is already planned for us and we have no option but to mildly obey and become 'yes' people. All which goes well for student participation. Communication within the department must be chaotic. Does it exist? When will learning become a pleasure and University life enjoyed. When will the Resurrection come?