A Different Kind Of League Table: Is Your Uni One Of The 80% Stifling Free Speech?
A Different Kind Of League Table: Is Your Uni One Of The 80% Stifling Free Speech?
Aubrey Allegretti— The Huffington Post UK
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ilyast via Getty Images
Four out of five universities are actively stifling students' freedom of expression - so say the results of the UK's first free speech league table.
From sombreros to so-called "public buffoonery", research by online magazine Spiked shows the extent to which universities and student unions are attempting to curtail the actions of their students and speakers beyond the requirements of the law.
While many policies are undoubtedly designed to oust discrimination from both the campus and the classroom, the research appears to reveal the extent to which free speech is being curbed by higher education institutions.
Free speech rankings: How does your university stack up?
Spare the sombrero(01 of08)
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If you're at Birmingham and thinking of heading onto campus with your sombrero to uncork some vino think again! The university's students union has banned what it calls "racist" costumes, and reportedly turned away one student from a fancy-dress party for dressing up as ‘General Aladeen’ from the Sacha Baron Cohen film The Dictator. (credit:NBC via Getty Images)
Pining for freedom of speech(02 of08)
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A group of students were thrown out of their freshers fair for having a pineapple labelled 'Mohammed' on their stall. The Atheist Society at Reading University were ordered to remove the offending fruit by union staff but refused and were subsequently told to leave. (credit:Bedolaga via Getty Images)
S-Exeter? Don't hold your breath...(03 of08)
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Exeter's student union cancelled its controversial Safer Sex Ball after CCTV footage of a couple having sex during the event went viral. While it is still unclear whether the couple in question were indeed practicing safe sex, the SU said that the repetitional damage incurred had overshadows the outstanding work of student-run charitable organisations. (credit:University of Exter)
Even societies aren't safe at Swansea!(04 of08)
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Recreational sport students were told their pole dancing society helped contribute to "an atmosphere where women are viewed as sexual objects and where violence against them is acceptable". The club at Swansea University was subsequently disbanded. (credit:LUIS ROBAYO via Getty Images)
No freedom to read Friedrick(05 of08)
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A new society, calling itself the Nietzsche Group, was founded by a group of UCL students. They started organising discussion groups on the philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche and Martin Heidegger that were later disbanded by the SU on the ground they were fascist. (credit:Chicago Tribune via Getty Images)
U-Better-Not-Be-A-Kipper(06 of08)
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Derby and UEA have both banned UKIP spokespeople from their campuses before. (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
Robbed of a song(07 of08)
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There are certainly no blurred lines when it comes to many student unions damning of that now famous Robin Thicke song. 21 SU's in the UK have banned the song over allegations it is sexist and perpetuates 'rape culture'. (credit:Isaac Brekken via Getty Images)
No monkeying around Lancaster(08 of08)
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Lancaster's student union has banned initiation ceremonies, which are in part defined as “engaging in public stunts and buffoonery”. (credit:PhotoAlto/Sigrid Olsson via Getty Images)
Hope Not Hate used a traffic-light system to grade universities with a red, amber or green-light, depending on how they and their student unions placed restrictions on "offensive" or "controversial" expression.
Popular censored subjects included the controversial Robin Thicke song 'Blurred Lines' - banned from 21 campuses, newspapers featuring topless page three models - no longer allowed at 26 universities, and fascist speakers or societies - outlawed at 37% of all student unions.
Essex, Portsmouth and UWE were among the worst performers while Southampton Solent, and the universities of Buckingham and Wales, attained top marks from Spiked.
Tom Slater, who pioneered the new research said its results painted a worrying picture.
"If universities don’t reform, loosen the shackles and start fostering a new and inclusive culture on campus, then they risk undermining their very mission – that of moulding the next generation of leaders and free-thinkers," he said.
But some of the poorest performers in Spiked's latest league table hit back at criticism, saying they lacked confidence in the methodology used to condemn them.
Essex University said it was "absurd" it had been penalised for providing guidance to its community about about avoiding homophobic behaviour.
"We make no apology for working to ensure all our staff and students are treated with dignity and respect," a spokesperson told The Guardian.
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A student union's ban on payday loan advertising on campus also earned it minus marks from Spiked. The University of West England says the policy of its SU was simply common sense to prevent students being exploited.