Universities UK has published a report today looking at how universities can promote freedom of speech on campus, while protecting the welfare of staff, students and the wider community.

The report is the result of a Universities UK working group chaired by Professor Malcolm Grant, President and Provost of University College London (UCL). The working group was established in January 2010 following responses to the arrest of Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab in the United States on Christmas Day 2009 for an attempted act of terrorism. Eighteen months previously he had graduated from UCL.

The report examines relevant legislation, looks at universities' duties to protect freedom of speech and to promote equality and security, and provides examples of how universities have handled challenges such as controversial external speakers and protests.

The report recommends that the sector must remain vigilant and aware of the challenges posed by violent extremism. It reveals that universities have engaged extensively with the government’s Prevent agenda and that there is good liaison with the police and security services.

Professor Malcolm Grant, chair of the working group, said: “Following the events of December 2009 we thought it would be helpful to provide more guidance to UK universities in this area. The aim of the report is to update universities on the relevant legislation and share information about how other universities have addressed these challenges.

“The survey findings confirm how seriously universities take their responsibilities in relation to the safety and security of their staff and students, alongside their obligations to protect and promote free speech and academic freedom.

“Universities are open institutions where academic freedom and freedom of speech are fundamental to their functioning. Views expressed within universities, whether by staff, students or visitors, may sometimes appear to be extreme or even offensive. However, unless views can be expressed they cannot also be challenged.

“But all freedoms have limits imposed by law and these considerations are vital to ensure the safety and well being of students, staff and the wider community. Universities must continue to ensure that potentially aberrant behaviour is challenged and communicated to the police where appropriate. But it is emphatically not their function to impede the exercise of fundamental freedoms, in particular freedom of speech, through additional censorship, surveillance or invasion of privacy.

“It is clear that there are no simple answers or absolute rules. But universities are increasingly acquiring more experience in addressing these issues. This guidance draws on that experience, making it available more widely within the sector and providing assistance to universities when responding to these issues in the future.”

The report features a survey conducted by Universities UK in 2010 of all its members. Areas covered include:

• speaker meetings
• protests
• student societies
• incidents on campus
• the boundaries of free speech

The report recommends that universities should:

• Review current protocols/policies on speaker meetings. The report highlights examples of checklist-forms being used when dealing with speaker invitations.
• Identify an appropriate senior person to lead on issues of campus security.
• Ensure that all involved in making decisions in relation to campus security, academic freedom, free speech and equality rights are familiar with the legal requirements operating in this area.
• Work with the students’ union to provide clear information to students and student societies about the rights and responsibilities of the institution, the students’ union, student societies and students in relation to academic freedom, free speech and equality rights.
• Develop and maintain a mechanism for regular dialogue with relevant external organisations such as the police, local authorities and community groups.

Notes

1. The report -  Freedom of speech on campus: rights and responsibilities in UK universities - is available to download in full. A video podcast by Professor Malcolm Grant is also available on the report page. For further information, please contact the Universities UK press office on 020 7419 5407 or email pressoffice@universitiesuk.ac.uk
2. Professor Malcolm Grant, President and Provost of UCL, chaired the Working Group and oversaw the project’s development. The Working Group provided strategic oversight of the project. Its members are Professor Mark Cleary, Professor Simon Gaskell, Professor Geoffrey Petts, Dr Teerenlall Gopal, Roger Gair, Dr Paul Greatrix, Dr Jim McGeorge, Dr Felicity Cooke and Jim Dickinson. Legal advice was provided by Pinsent Masons Solicitors.
3. The report builds on previous guidance issued by Universities UK in 2005 in relation to promoting good campus relations. This guidance was updated by the Equality Challenge Unit (ECU) in 2007.
4. Prevent is the element of the Government’s counter-terrorism strategy that has been most visible to universities. The Prevent strand aimed to support community cohesion and thereby deter or divert people away from violent extremism. The strategy is currently being reviewed by the Coalition Government and it is clear that its focus and approach will alter over the next few years.
5. Universities UK, working with the sector, has also been examining issues relating to entirely legitimate research by academics into potentially sensitive areas, such as terrorism and extremism. The work has been looking at the handling of sensitive research materials, and how institutions might need to adapt practices and processes. UUK will publish a guidance note for institutions later in 2011.
6. An independent review (headed by Dame Fiona Caldicott) into Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab’s time at UCL published its final report in  in October 2010. The central conclusion of the report was that there was no evidence to suggest either that Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was radicalised while a student at UCL, or that conditions at UCL during that time or subsequently were conducive to the radicalisation of students.
7. Universities UK is the representative organisation for the UK’s universities. Founded in 1918, its mission is to be the definitive voice for all universities in the UK, providing high quality leadership and support to its members to promote a successful and diverse higher education sector. With 133 members and offices in London, Cardiff and Edinburgh, it promotes the strength and success of UK universities nationally and internationally. Visit: www.universitiesuk.ac.uk