The University of Essex s vice-chancellor Professor Anthony Forster has offered an apology A UNIVERSITY has admitted it made “serious mistakes” after two professors were blocked from taking part in seminars over accusations of transphobia. The University of Essex has issued an apology after a report found it acted unlawfully by blacklisting a professor. It also withdrew an invitation extended to another professor after her views were compared to ‘hate speech.’ In December 2019, Professor Jo Phoenix, of the Open University, had been due to speak at the university on the subject of ‘Trans rights, imprisonment and the criminal justice system.’ The Times newspaper reported some university staff members had accused the professor of being ‘anti-trans’ and ‘exclusionary.’
The University of Essex s vice-chancellor Professor Anthony Forster has offered an apology A UNIVERSITY has admitted it made “serious mistakes” after two professors were blocked from taking part in seminars over accusations of transphobia. The University of Essex has issued an apology after a report found it acted unlawfully by blacklisting a professor. It also withdrew an invitation extended to another professor after her views were compared to ‘hate speech.’ In December 2019, Professor Jo Phoenix, of the Open University, had been due to speak at the university on the subject of ‘Trans rights, imprisonment and the criminal justice system.’ The Times newspaper reported some university staff members had accused the professor of being ‘anti-trans’ and ‘exclusionary.’
With the university confirming yesterday that they intend to have a “blended” teaching approach in the 2021/2022 academic year, students are becoming increasingly frustrated. This news comes despite the government’s latest announcement revealing that universities can provide face-to-face learning again from May 17th.
Information provided on the university coronavirus website
Will has also set up an open letter template, which students can fill in to have their name added to a letter to be sent off to the university.
The Leeds Tab spoke to Will, who “felt extremely angry and frustrated at their [the university’s] decisions.”
“I simply felt the only way to get the university to understand my position was by making the point to them as clearly as possible and I’ve seen a lot of students complaining about the university’s approach so I thought there needed to be a centralised petition so students had the option to make their feelings known.
After the year it’s been for many students, dealing with Zoom seminars and stressful dissertation deadlines, finally there is some positive news.
An email was sent to students graduating this year on Thursday outlining the university’s plans for outdoor graduations. These celebrations provide opportunities for students to get photos with friends and family on campus in their academic dress.
The on-campus events are scheduled to occur between Wednesday 14th and Friday 23rd July 2021.
Previously in an interview with The Tab, Michelle Donelan, Universities Minister said she would personally “strongly encourage” unis to hold graduation ceremonies this year, so long as it was in line with the government’s coronavirus restrictions at the time.
Universities Minister speaks to TASO conference
Universities Minister, Michelle Donelan speaks to TASO conference on the importance of social mobility and higher education reform
From:
21 April 2021 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)
Good afternoon and thank you for inviting me here today to speak about the vital role we can all play as we overcome Covid-19.
I regret that we cannot be together today, that instead we are speaking through screens in a manner that has become familiar to us all by now. This pandemic has forced us all to adapt - and adapt fast in order to keep students learning during this historic pandemic.