STUDENTS at Durham University have threatened to withhold rent payments on their accommodation until a principal at the university apologises for “platforming hate and bigotry” earlier this month.
Professor Tim Luckhurst, principal of South College in Durham, courted controversy at the start of December after calling some students “pathetic” for walking out of an evening function that saw controversial columnist, Rod Liddle, appear.
Mr Liddle had been invited as a guest to speak at a college formal on Friday (December 3) but some students chose to walk out due to some “transphobic” and other “harmful” comments – something that Mr Liddle has since denied.
Read more: Durham university investigating after Rod Liddle speech outrage
An investigation into the incident has been launched by Durham University, but this hasn’t stopped students from becoming vocal in their approach to see Professor Luckhurst reprimanded and disciplined for his “ill advised” comments and inviting Mr Liddle to speak at the function.
After protesting against Professor Luckhurst last Wednesday (December 8), some students at Durham University have now threatened to stop paying their £8000 a year annual fees for rent, while calling on the university to “do the right thing”.
Sean Hannigan, who is leading the protests against Professor Luckhurst and the speech from Mr Liddle, has said that he couldn’t “let the comments go unchallenged” and has described some of the comments made at the formal as “deliberately inciteful”.
Mr Hannigan said: “South College prides itself on being a college where freedom of speech is respected alongside that of the individual. I do not particularly agree with anything Rod said which is why I felt that, as the student representative and President of the college elected only four weeks ago, I could not let it go unchallenged.
“It is up to the students whether or not they left, and I know that alongside those who did leave there were many more who considered it. It is their right and their freedom to do so.
“The university has ongoing issues with racism, homophobia, transphobia, misogyny (the list goes on) and I know there are many good people at Durham, from the SU to student societies and the University Executive, doing their best to stamp it out.”
Alongside Mr Hannigan’s views, Durham Students’ Union has described Professor Luckhurst’s position as “untenable” off the back of “insulting and humiliating” some students.
At the end of last week, Professor Luckhurst offered a brief apology to students he’d called “pathetic” by saying “My anger reflected my sincere commitment to freedom of speech. However, I was wrong to describe the students' action as pathetic and I apologise unreservedly for doing so.”
The professor has since been stood down from some of his duties, including a recent debating society event, until an investigation is carried out.
Read more: Durham University defends student sex worker training
The investigation, which will focus on the arrangements which led to Mr Liddle speaking at South College, as well as behaviour at the event, will be concluded by mid-January and is being led by Prof Jane MacNaughton.
A spokesperson for Durham University said: “While the investigation is ongoing, (Prof Luckhurst) will step back from some of his duties.
“He will be working from home and will not attend external events on behalf of the university.”
In the meantime, Lee Worden, vice principal of South College, will be responsible for all student-facing activity.
In a statement , Professor Antony Long, the acting vice-chancellor of Durham University, said: “At Durham University we are working to build an environment that is respectful and where people feel comfortable to be themselves and flourish.
“We are strongly committed to improving the experiences of all members of our community, regardless of background, gender, race, disability or sexual orientation.
“We are sorry to hear about the experiences of some. We have a strong will to achieve cultural change and, although we know we still have more to do, we are proud of the progress we have made, including through our Respect agenda.
Professor Long added: “We are clear about the University’s values and the behaviour required within our community. Where an individual’s behaviour falls below the standard we expect, we take swift and decisive action, as we have done on a number of occasions.
“We encourage reporting of incidents of unwanted behaviour and when issues are raised they are dealt with appropriately, in accordance with our policies. We welcome the increase in disclosures and reporting seen in recent years as evidence of growing confidence in our investigative and support procedures.”
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