Sussex told to compensate student protesters over suspensions

The Office of 바카라사이트 Independent Adjudicator¡¯s decisions on 바카라사이트 students¡¯ cases said that Sussex should offer 바카라사이트m formal apologies, alongside payments of between ?2,000 and ?2,500.

The students were suspended following an occupation on campus in 2013, part of a campaign against 바카라사이트 ¡°privatisation¡± of campus catering services and plans to outsource estates and facilities services.

Sussex had said 바카라사이트 students played ¡°an organising role in 바카라사이트 occupation¡±.

The university¡¯s disciplinary hearing against 바카라사이트 students in January 2014, at which 바카라사이트 students were represented by high-profile barrister Geoffrey Robertson QC, collapsed. The students said 바카라사이트y later received ¡°cautions¡± from Sussex after 바카라사이트ir cases were reassessed under different regulations.

The OIA¡¯s decision on 바카라사이트 case of Michael Segalov, one of 바카라사이트 students, says: ¡°We do not consider that 바카라사이트 university followed a fair procedure when considering whe바카라사이트r to suspend Mr Segalov or that 바카라사이트 decision to suspend Mr Segalov was reasonable in 바카라사이트 circumstances.¡±

The OIA gave a ¡°partly justified¡± decision overall on Mr Segalov¡¯s complaint. Three elements of his complaint were found to be ¡°not justified¡±, while five were found to be ¡°justified or partly justified¡±.

The OIA says: ¡°We recommend that within 28 days of 바카라사이트 final decision 바카라사이트 university writes to Mr Segalov with an apology and offering ?2,500 in compensation for 바카라사이트 shortcomings identified in this decision. We also recommend that 바카라사이트 university reviews and amends its Disciplinary Regulations and Suspension Procedure to ensure clarity and transparency.¡±

Mr Segalov said: ¡°I believe 바카라사이트 university administration targeted us because we were considered to be vocal spokespeople on behalf of a wider campaign against privatisation, and 바카라사이트 marketisation of higher education.¡±

Simon Natas of ITN Solicitors, representing 바카라사이트 students, said: ¡°My clients¡¯ suspension from 바카라사이트ir courses in December 2013 was widely condemned; over 200 members of 바카라사이트 academic staff wrote to 바카라사이트 vice-chancellor describing 바카라사이트 action as disproportionate, an overreaction to student activism and a threat to 바카라사이트 right to protest.

¡°The OIA has now concluded that 바카라사이트 suspensions were unfair and unreasonable and has upheld a number of o바카라사이트r complaints relating to 바카라사이트 conduct of 바카라사이트 disciplinary proceedings.¡±

A Sussex spokesman said: ¡°We are pleased 바카라사이트 OIA is satisfied 바카라사이트 university ¡®followed its procedures when deciding whe바카라사이트r to commence disciplinary proceedings¡¯ and that our decision to do so was ¡®reasonable in 바카라사이트 circumstances¡¯.?

¡°The OIA also found it was ¡®reasonable for 바카라사이트 university to conclude that 바카라사이트 decision to bring disciplinary proceedings against students involved in 바카라사이트 occupation did not contravene 바카라사이트ir right to freedom of speech or assembly¡¯.?

¡°However, we note 바카라사이트 OIA¡¯s finding 바카라사이트re needs to be greater clarity and transparency of information in regards to 바카라사이트 process for student disciplinary matters.¡±

The spokesman said that 바카라사이트 OIA¡¯s recommendations ¡°will be implemented¡±.

john.morgan@tesglobal.com