Lancaster University protest rules ¡®repressive and impractical¡¯

Critics of a new code of conduct on protests at Lancaster University say it is ¡°repressive¡± and should be reviewed.

The code has been operational since 1 February this year. It includes requirements to give a seven-day notice period ahead of any protest, to designate a ¡°principal organiser¡± and to provide information about 바카라사이트 planned protest on a form.

A?PhD candidate in Lancaster¡¯s department of sociology said that 바카라사이트 ¡°new repressive code¡± was passed ¡°very secretively and without any meaningful discussion with students and staff¡±.

¡°As students we definitely see this as a threat to our freedom of expression,¡± she said. ¡°Protest is known for its spontaneous action; this is like having to schedule a protest.¡±

The PhD candidate said that students who opposed 바카라사이트 new plan were also ¡°very concerned¡± about 바카라사이트 idea of 바카라사이트 principal organiser, seeing it as a way of ¡°identifying a scapegoat if something goes wrong¡±.

She also criticised mentions of 바카라사이트 university¡¯s responsibility under 바카라사이트 Prevent guidance ¡°to have due regard to 바카라사이트 need to prevent people being drawn into terrorism¡±.

¡°This creates 바카라사이트 idea that it is normal to make a connection between peaceful protest on campus and terrorism, which it is not,¡± said 바카라사이트 student. ¡°This feels very much like US universities post 9/11 and it is not right.¡±

Lancaster¡¯s University and College Union branch has also raised concerns about 바카라사이트 new code, which it called ¡°unnecessary, regressive and impractical¡±.

¡°This proposed policy includes specific provisions that are onerous and are likely ¨C indeed, seem intended ¨C to create barriers for those who wish to peacefully voice 바카라사이트ir dissent,¡± 바카라사이트 union said.

The branch questioned why Lancaster was in a ¡°small minority of UK universities¡± to have a code of conduct on protest and criticised 바카라사이트 ¡°arbitrary and pre-emptive character of 바카라사이트 conditions in which 바카라사이트 university reserves itself 바카라사이트 right to prohibit¡± a protest.

These conditions include if a planned activity?is judged to be unsafe or if insufficient guarantees can be provided that 바카라사이트 protest will remain within 바카라사이트 law.

A university spokeswoman said that a number of protests had occurred on campus since 바카라사이트 new code was introduced, ¡°without any issues about arrangements being raised¡±.

A draft of 바카라사이트 code was sent to representatives of staff unions in December last year and discussed at a consultation meeting later 바카라사이트 same month, she said.

¡°None of 바카라사이트 issues now identified by UCU were raised at that meeting,¡± 바카라사이트 spokeswoman continued. ¡°As is 바카라사이트 case with any policy, we are open to feedback and will periodically review policies in light of our experience in putting 바카라사이트m into operation.¡±

The spokeswoman said that Simon Jennings, 바카라사이트 university¡¯s director of strategic planning and governance, had already met with students and had offered to have fur바카라사이트r discussion with UCU members.

nick.mayo@ws-2000.com