Just received the following email from the vice chancellor of my alma mater. They seem to be handling things a bit differently to the Americans:
Dear alumni and friends,As you may be aware from recent media coverage, an encampment has been set up on the lawn in front of King’s College. I wanted to share with you a note that was sent to our staff and students yesterday, and to assure you that the normal business of the University is continuing as usual.
As the message says, the University is fully committed to freedom of speech within the law, and the right to protest. We ask everyone in our community to treat each other with understanding and empathy at this, and all, times, and our priority remains the safety of our staff and students. We will not tolerate antisemitism, Islamophobia, or any other form of racial or religious hatred in our community. The University has set out guidance around expectations to the protesters, and the protestors have issued community guidance which describes a peaceful protest.
Our thoughts remain with all those who are affected by the current conflict, and we continue to work very closely, offering support and empathy, to those in our community who are affected by tragic events in Gaza, Israel and elsewhere.
Yours,
Debbie
Professor Deborah Prentice
Vice-Chancellor
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Not control, but certainly influence, on the various heads of college. I’d hope Gillian Tett defends the protests against interference.
I note they dragged Bhaskar Vira into Sunak’s enforced lecture this morning, but all the vice-chancellors left with no comment on that PR stunt.
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