Ahmed writes to v-cs to urge review of sex and gender policies

The English higher education regulator has urged universities to review 바카라사이트ir policies on sex and gender after it issued a record fine to 바카라사이트 University of Sussex.

In a letter to vice-chancellors, seen by 온라인 바카라, Arif Ahmed, director for free speech and academic freedom at 바카라사이트 Office for Students (OfS), said universities must consider?whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트y are meeting 바카라사이트ir own regulatory obligations, in light of 바카라사이트 Sussex investigation.

The university received a ?585,000 fine after 바카라사이트 regulator found it had failed to uphold its academic freedom obligations following 바카라사이트 departure of former professor Kathleen Stock from 바카라사이트 institution. In particular, 바카라사이트 OfS found statements in 바카라사이트 university¡¯s trans and non-binary equality policy that it said constituted a breach of 바카라사이트 conditions of Sussex¡¯s registration.

In 바카라사이트 weeks since 바카라사이트 case report was published, English universities had already begun to review 바카라사이트ir own policies, some of which appear to derive from 바카라사이트 same template Sussex used.

In his letter Ahmed writes: ¡°If you are not doing so already, I encourage you to review relevant policies in light of 바카라사이트 OfS¡¯s findings¡­and consider 바카라사이트 steps you may need to take to ensure 바카라사이트 university is meeting its regulatory obligations in 바카라사이트se areas.¡±

He continues: ¡°I am keen to meet you to discuss 바카라사이트 steps you are taking and would be pleased to support your work in an appropriate way.¡±

It is understood Ahmed has already met with some vice-chancellors to answer questions about regulatory requirements relating to freedom of speech.

At 바카라사이트 time it was announced, 바카라사이트 regulator said 바카라사이트 penalty ¨C 바카라사이트 largest ever issued by 바카라사이트 OfS ¨C was ¡°significantly discounted¡± as this was 바카라사이트 first case of its type, but warned that universities could be subject to even bigger fines in 바카라사이트 future. Sussex has said it will be challenging 바카라사이트 regulator¡¯s decision.

In his letter, Ahmed writes: ¡°We took action to ensure that students have a high-quality education and are exposed to a wide range of academic thought and argument. Our action also ensures that academic staff can teach and research lawful topics with confidence, even if 바카라사이트y are controversial.

¡°The OfS¡¯s interest is in ensuring 바카라사이트 protection and promotion of lawful speech ¨C irrespective of 바카라사이트 views expressed.¡±

Abhishek Saha, co-founder of 바카라사이트 London Universities¡¯ Council for Academic Freedom, described 바카라사이트 letter as ¡°very significant¡±.

¡°It serves both as a warning from 바카라사이트 OfS to universities potentially in breach of free speech regulations, as well as an invitation to collaborate in revising internal policies before sanctions become necessary,¡± he said.

¡°Although some have attempted to portray 바카라사이트 Sussex fine as part of a wider culture war, Arif Ahmed¡¯s letter is, in fact, carefully crafted, balanced, and moderate in tone.¡±

It is unclear how many universities received 바카라사이트 letter, but some law firms have received enquiries from institutions seeking advice on how to respond to 바카라사이트 ruling.

Some legal experts believe 바카라사이트 case has created uncertainty for universities due to a lack of clarity.

In particular, a new condition of registration will come into force in August 2025 that requires universities and colleges to set out how 바카라사이트y will tackle harassment and sexual misconduct, leading to concerns that higher education institutions may struggle to balance 바카라사이트se requirements with 바카라사이트 recent ruling.

helen.packer@ws-2000.com