Freedom of Speech and Prevent Policies
Wed, 09 Dec 2015 02:30:00 GMT
The Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 places higher education institutions, including our University, under a duty to ‘have due regard’ to the need to prevent individuals being drawn into terrorism; commonly referred to as the ‘Prevent’ duty. Here at Huddersfield we have strong community links and very good working relationships between our staff, students and the Students’ Union, which have ensured that if any relevant concerns have been raised they have been dealt with in a constructive and supportive manner. To formalise this existing good practice, University Council has approved a new Prevent Policy and a revised version of the Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech, copies of which are available here: http://www.hud.ac.uk/services/vco/policiesandprocedures
Before being presented to University Council for approval, both of these policies were considered in some detail by the University’s working group, Senior Management Team and Senate and the policies reflect amendments/suggestions raised. A summary of the purpose and scope of each policy is set out below:
Prevent Policy
A specific requirement of the duty is to ensure that “individuals are aware of what action to take if they are concerned that an individual is at risk of being drawn into terrorism”.
In response to this requirement, a Prevent Policy has been introduced to help staff and students understand the steps they should take if they have such concerns and what may happen if they make a referral under the policy.
Freedom of Speech and External Speakers Policy
Another key requirement of the duty is for the University to have “policies and procedures in place for the management of events on campus and use of all University premises, which apply to all staff, students and visitors and clearly set out what is required for any event to proceed”.
The University already had a Code of Practice on the Freedom of Speech, which had been established and operational for some time, in light of the more specific requirements of the Guidance, it was considered appropriate to update the existing policy. In line with the previous policy, the revised policy makes it clear that the University has a duty to promote freedom of speech and academic freedom so far as is reasonably practical within the law; and that the University promotes an attitude of tolerance to enable academic debate on a wide range of topics, including some which may be controversial, while having due regard to the welfare of its staff and students. The University has a zero tolerance approach to discrimination, harassment, extremism or acts which could incite or promote terrorist activity; if an event organiser has any reason to believe an event may infringe this policy they must report it in accordance with the policy.
The most significant changes have been to introduce questions to guide the local assessment of an external speaker event and to highlight events which may require further review, or consideration; and to make it clear that for certain lower risk activities (academic conferences and events that form part of normal course provision) that an overall assessment would suffice, in the absence of any specific concerns following local assessment. The policy also clarifies the University’s position on gender segregation and the circulation of written material.
If you have any questions about this information please contact:
Michaela Boryslawskyj
University Secretary
Ext. 3919 or email: m.m.boryslawskyj@hud.ac.uk
