Dear All,
Forgive me if you have already seen this media release but, if not, I draw it to your attention as the report makes a good counterbalance to The Glees report which has some rather disturbing recommendations (EG universities should be allowed to have no more than 8% Black or ethnic minority students).
BD
Updated guidance to help higher education institutions (HEIs) deal with hate crimes and intolerance on campus is being launched today (Tuesday).
The publication - Promoting good campus relations: dealing with hate crimes and intolerance - updates the previous Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals' guidance on Extremism and Intolerance on Campus and provides an overview of the ways in which HEIs can encourage tolerance and respect and ensure that academic freedoms cannot be exploited.
The guidance provides examples of how intolerant behaviour can potentially cause problems in a higher education context and outlines good principles of practice that HEIs should consider. Rather than advocating a 'one size fits all' approach, the guidance recommends that HEIs should look at incidents of hate crimes and intolerance on a case-by-case basis, within existing and forthcoming legal frameworks, and with a particular focus on the positive duty currently in place for race equality.
The publication was guided by a core steering group comprising representatives from Universities UK, ECU, SCOP, HEEON, AMOSSHE, NUS, AHUA and trades union representatives. It was chaired by Professor Les Ebdon, Vice Chancellor at the University of Luton and member of the Universities UK Student Experience Strategy Group. It was supplemented by a virtual steering group of representatives from religious and faith organisations, specialist organisations and higher education institutions.
Commenting on the guidelines Professor Les Ebdon said: "Academic freedom is central to the work of higher education institutions, which were established to be places where there is free debate and the interchange of ideas.
"The key principle for dealing with hate crimes and intolerance on campus is to understand that all staff and students have the right to work, study and live without fear of intimidation, harassment and threatening or violent behaviour. The key ingredient for the preservation of academic freedom is tolerance and respect for diversity.
"The report has a wide range of reference and covers, for example, not just instances of racial or religious intolerance, but also homophobia, animal rights extremism, and intolerance of issues such as disability or party politics."
Professor Drummond Bone, President of Universities UK, said: "This updated document arose out of a need for new practical guidance - requested by institutions - following legislative changes and takes account of the new social and political climate.
"We must not forget that we all have a responsibility to be aware of threats to the freedom we enjoy. Universities are no different from the wider society in this respect. I am confident this document will provide institutions with a practical tool to deal with such instances on campus - rare though they are."
ENDS
Notes
1. The document will be available to journalists present at the media briefing and will then be available to download from <http://bookshop.universitiesuk.ac.uk/latest/> from Tuesday 8 November.
2. This collaborative project was guided by a Core Steering Group which included representatives from Universities UK, the Equality Challenge Unit (ECU), the Standing Conference of Principals (SCOP), the Higher Education Equal Opportunities Network (HEEON), AMOSSHE, the National Union of Students, the Association of Heads of University Administration (AHUA) and trades union representatives. It was chaired by Professor Les Ebdon, Vice Chancellor, University of Luton, and member of the Universities UK Student Experience Strategy Group. The work of the Core Steering Group was supplemented by a Virtual Steering Group, consisting of religious and faith organisations, specialist organisations and institutions.>
3. Bill Rammell MP, Minister of State for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education, is due to attend the media launch of the guidelines.
4. Professor Drummond Bone and Professor Les Ebdon will be available for interview. For further information contact Gareth Morgan at the Universities UK press office on 020 7419 5407 or email [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>.
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