Page 5 | Would you report this group chat?

Fabulously · 2025-10-08T21:22:10+00:00

My university has a student forum where the module chair shared details of a group chat he created for students to get study support. The group chat is not officially endorsed by the university but has well over 100 students and university staff members included such as tutors. I’ve only been in it a week (haven’t posted anything) - but it gets heated; the module chair sends frequent edgy jokes about politics, disabilities, schools etc. Others join in with more outright inappropriate messages about immigration and benefits & the like, arguing ensues. Earlier today, he got into a full argument with one of the students who started insulting the module chair’s mother in response, module chair responded in kind - basically a bizarre dispute. Would you just exit the chat or also make some attempt to report the unprofessional messages? I feel uncomfortable reporting given staff members are involved, as I wouldn’t want it to impact my studies! But at the same time it makes me look at the university differently, if the staff act like this, like I wouldn’t go to that module chair for help if I had to.

thegifttaegieus · 09/10/2025 08:00

ExtraOnions · 09/10/2025 07:47

A group of Adults had a disagreement.. it’s no big deal. Universities and Colleges were always supposed to be the place to do this .. to have alternative views, disagree, argue etc. Such a shame that this seems to have been curtailed.. no wonder the younger generation struggle with listening to, and responding to, alternative views .. they have never had the chance to think critically.

This.

cannyvalley · 09/10/2025 07:59

this happened at my uni. It got reported and was taken very seriously by the uni due to the inappropriate content. I left the chat in the first few days when I realised what it was going to be like, so didn’t see much… but I would have reported it if I saw what you saw.

PandoraSocks · 09/10/2025 07:58

thegifttaegieus · 09/10/2025 07:53

Lots and lots and lots of lovehearts and thank yous on this post. I do miss the days when mumsnet let us see up and down votes. And yeah, we all - absolutely every single person on mumsnet - LOVE it when we get a ton of hearts and agrees and thank yous. If the admission of that reality sends you into a frothing rant excellent :)

Of course, speaking the truth, as I did, is always satisfying, whether anyone agrees with it or not. But it is satisfying to know the tide has well and truly turned. The thought police are no longer in ascendance here, or throughout the UK. Their time is drawing to a much needed close, and free speech, normality and the ability to accept that other people have thoughts and speak words you disagree with without trying to have them locked up, having a brain aneurysm or a screaming melt down is once again becoming the norm.

It is, of course a fantastic quote, and I am very happy to have shared it. The truth enrages those who cannot bear to look in the mirror.

And only Red Guard members get upset at being called out for Red Guard behaviours :)

I am really pleased that pointing out the truth has enraged some of those who deserve to be forced to face the truth😊

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Lots and lots and lots of lovehearts and thank yous on this post

Show us a screenshot, darling.

I do miss the days when mumsnet let us see up and down votes

I don't think that has ever been the case on MN? At least not in the decade or so I have been here.

SingleSexSpacesInSchools · 09/10/2025 07:54

University is for being exposed to different opinions.

Directly quote the things you think are actually problematic or grow a thicker skin and move on.

thegifttaegieus · 09/10/2025 07:53

thegifttaegieus · 09/10/2025 02:50

“It was always the women, and above all the young ones, who were the most bigoted adherents of the Party, the swallowers of slogans, the amateur spies and nosers−out of unorthodoxy.” —George Orwell, 1984

Definitely, be a good member of the Red Guard. Well done for trying to crush anyone having thoughts you disapprove of, words you don't like and feelings you think should be outlawed.

Good for you. Hitler, Pol Pot, Chairman Mao and every single dictator in history from both ends of the spectrum salutes you. Get on there, report it. Nothing will be done about it, sadly, because free speech has not quite been stamped out in the UK.

But you can get all those feelings out at the next two minute hate.

Lots and lots and lots of lovehearts and thank yous on this post. I do miss the days when mumsnet let us see up and down votes. And yeah, we all - absolutely every single person on mumsnet - LOVE it when we get a ton of hearts and agrees and thank yous. If the admission of that reality sends you into a frothing rant excellent :)

Of course, speaking the truth, as I did, is always satisfying, whether anyone agrees with it or not. But it is satisfying to know the tide has well and truly turned. The thought police are no longer in ascendance here, or throughout the UK. Their time is drawing to a much needed close, and free speech, normality and the ability to accept that other people have thoughts and speak words you disagree with without trying to have them locked up, having a brain aneurysm or a screaming melt down is once again becoming the norm.

It is, of course a fantastic quote, and I am very happy to have shared it. The truth enrages those who cannot bear to look in the mirror.

And only Red Guard members get upset at being called out for Red Guard behaviours :)

I am really pleased that pointing out the truth has enraged some of those who deserve to be forced to face the truth😊

Elbowpatch · 09/10/2025 07:53

Fairyvocals · 09/10/2025 07:47

What the fuck am I reading? A university-endorsed WA group moderated by a staff member, where hate speech is not only tolerated but actively encouraged? Of course you should report it!

You obviously aren’t reading the OP.

“The group chat is not officially endorsed by the university”

3WildOnes · 09/10/2025 07:52

Fabulously · 09/10/2025 06:44

Essay marking isn’t anonymous at my university. My personal information is on every page of the document, marked by my own tutor, who directly addresses me in their feedback. Exams are marked by someone who isn’t my tutor. But they could still work at the university and be aware of who I am as again, personal information isn’t redacted.

That’s another thing actually - this university & module chair are very big on equality, diversity & inclusion etc. Their views on the chat definitely highlighted that their “kind” persona is a facade.

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I'm so surprised by this. I've studied at three different universities over the last 15 year and work has always been marked anonymously. Are you in the UK?

The chat is wildly inappropriate- and so unprofessional- I can't believe anyone would think otherwise.

Fairyvocals · 09/10/2025 07:47

What the fuck am I reading? A university-endorsed WA group moderated by a staff member, where hate speech is not only tolerated but actively encouraged? Of course you should report it!

ExtraOnions · 09/10/2025 07:47

A group of Adults had a disagreement.. it’s no big deal. Universities and Colleges were always supposed to be the place to do this .. to have alternative views, disagree, argue etc. Such a shame that this seems to have been curtailed.. no wonder the younger generation struggle with listening to, and responding to, alternative views .. they have never had the chance to think critically.

SuffraJET · 09/10/2025 07:45

Fabulously · 09/10/2025 05:39

To be honest, I think some individuals here have the wrong idea of what the chat is discussing.

I wouldn’t consider myself “woke”. I’m a civil servant so used to being very bland in comms with others and not bringing my employer into disrepute - I’d get in trouble if I was writing these comments at work to colleagues let alone in comms with service users. But yes happy to admit that I’m not the target demographic of these comments and can easily ignore - I’m not disabled after all and I am economically active so it’s not directed at me or caused offence. I’m more just taken aback by how unprofessional it all is.

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Private WhatsApp groups can be considered as evidence in disputes in workplace ( as OU found out) . Leave it if only to protect yourself getting embroiled.
It's not ethical at all , these members of staff are in positions of power and influence. It does not seem collegial or respectful of others views.

PandoraSocks · 09/10/2025 07:40

thegifttaegieus · 09/10/2025 02:50

“It was always the women, and above all the young ones, who were the most bigoted adherents of the Party, the swallowers of slogans, the amateur spies and nosers−out of unorthodoxy.” —George Orwell, 1984

Definitely, be a good member of the Red Guard. Well done for trying to crush anyone having thoughts you disapprove of, words you don't like and feelings you think should be outlawed.

Good for you. Hitler, Pol Pot, Chairman Mao and every single dictator in history from both ends of the spectrum salutes you. Get on there, report it. Nothing will be done about it, sadly, because free speech has not quite been stamped out in the UK.

But you can get all those feelings out at the next two minute hate.

'Like a compass needle that always points north, a man's accusing finger always finds a woman. Always.'

Khaled Hosseini, A Thousand Splendid Suns'

ThatCyanCat · 09/10/2025 07:33

thegifttaegieus · 09/10/2025 02:50

“It was always the women, and above all the young ones, who were the most bigoted adherents of the Party, the swallowers of slogans, the amateur spies and nosers−out of unorthodoxy.” —George Orwell, 1984

Definitely, be a good member of the Red Guard. Well done for trying to crush anyone having thoughts you disapprove of, words you don't like and feelings you think should be outlawed.

Good for you. Hitler, Pol Pot, Chairman Mao and every single dictator in history from both ends of the spectrum salutes you. Get on there, report it. Nothing will be done about it, sadly, because free speech has not quite been stamped out in the UK.

But you can get all those feelings out at the next two minute hate.

Tell me. When you have to crack a nut, do you use a Land Rover? Perhaps with a "women are shit" flag flying from it?

(Take some time off X. That quotation is going insane on there.)

Puzzledtoday · 09/10/2025 07:29

It’s annoying that a group set up to support study is so quickly being taken over by other topics and sniping . This is the curse of SM special interest groups. A different format with a moderation team is needed to avoid this. You might suggest this to the uni rather than reporting the existing group.

GlastoNinja · 09/10/2025 07:22

You will be able to report anonymously with a link to the chat, they will be limited in what they can do about it in terms of disciplinary action without a reportee to provide evidence but they will be able to do something to address it through line management etc.

Keep clicking through the form and you should find a way of doing it.

CrustyBread1977 · 09/10/2025 07:22

If it was a casual chat, I would just leave the group. As it claims to be about the maths module, I would report it, as “bringing the university into disrepute” is definitely a disciplinary offence and the comments being made by staff appear to fall into that category.

HGSurvivor1 · 09/10/2025 07:21

thegifttaegieus · 09/10/2025 02:50

“It was always the women, and above all the young ones, who were the most bigoted adherents of the Party, the swallowers of slogans, the amateur spies and nosers−out of unorthodoxy.” —George Orwell, 1984

Definitely, be a good member of the Red Guard. Well done for trying to crush anyone having thoughts you disapprove of, words you don't like and feelings you think should be outlawed.

Good for you. Hitler, Pol Pot, Chairman Mao and every single dictator in history from both ends of the spectrum salutes you. Get on there, report it. Nothing will be done about it, sadly, because free speech has not quite been stamped out in the UK.

But you can get all those feelings out at the next two minute hate.

Absolute fucking weirdo

BallerinaRadio · 09/10/2025 07:19

God the responses on here people are so desperate to appear anti-woke and bash a 'snowflake' they've totally lost sight of any sort of common sense.

Comparing to Hitler wtf 😂😂😂

NoSoapJustUseShowerGel · 09/10/2025 07:18

Fabulously · 09/10/2025 05:39

To be honest, I think some individuals here have the wrong idea of what the chat is discussing.

I wouldn’t consider myself “woke”. I’m a civil servant so used to being very bland in comms with others and not bringing my employer into disrepute - I’d get in trouble if I was writing these comments at work to colleagues let alone in comms with service users. But yes happy to admit that I’m not the target demographic of these comments and can easily ignore - I’m not disabled after all and I am economically active so it’s not directed at me or caused offence. I’m more just taken aback by how unprofessional it all is.

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But that’s not just the expectation for people who work in the civil service, it’s the same for every company that they expect staff to communicate and behave appropriately and not to bring the organisation into disrepute. This even includes how they behave in their private time outside of work.
I would report your concerns to the university as it’s incredibly unprofessional.

NellieElephantine · 09/10/2025 07:15

MC846 · 09/10/2025 07:12

You could take screenshots of the messages and submit them anonymously. Things can never change if no-one ever speaks up and everyone just looks away. I'd report it.

Why anonymously? Have the courage of your conviction courage of your convictions?

SingingOcean · 09/10/2025 07:14

Some of the responses here seem to be from people who aren’t aware of the ethical considerations of working in a public organisation. It’s not sufficient to mute the group, or just stay quiet or even just leave.

Personally, I’d leave the group and when it all blows up say I never read any of the messages and wasn’t aware of the nature of the group. It’s cowardly, but that’s my honest response.

MC846 · 09/10/2025 07:12

You could take screenshots of the messages and submit them anonymously. Things can never change if no-one ever speaks up and everyone just looks away. I'd report it.

JamDisaster · 09/10/2025 07:04

So the group chat is intended is intended as a support service provided by the uni? In that case I agree it’s inappropriate and just leaving doesn’t address the issue.

PurpleChrayn · 09/10/2025 07:03

thegifttaegieus · 09/10/2025 02:50

“It was always the women, and above all the young ones, who were the most bigoted adherents of the Party, the swallowers of slogans, the amateur spies and nosers−out of unorthodoxy.” —George Orwell, 1984

Definitely, be a good member of the Red Guard. Well done for trying to crush anyone having thoughts you disapprove of, words you don't like and feelings you think should be outlawed.

Good for you. Hitler, Pol Pot, Chairman Mao and every single dictator in history from both ends of the spectrum salutes you. Get on there, report it. Nothing will be done about it, sadly, because free speech has not quite been stamped out in the UK.

But you can get all those feelings out at the next two minute hate.

My God, settle down 😆

Reporting a group chat doesn’t align her with Hitler and Pol Pot, FFS!

Bananaandmangosmoothie · 09/10/2025 07:03

I think I would just mute and archive the chat because you might actually need the maths help at some point.

PaisleyGilmourStreet · 09/10/2025 06:52

Opinionated people can be annoying, this guy sounds stressed though. In answer to your question, no, I wouldn't report him. I think there IS an unhealthy culture nowadays that errs towards snitching, and it results in people often being cancelled/punished for frivolous reasons.
The overwhelming majority of us have a good moral compass, so if you're undecided on whether it's report worthy or not the answer is it's not.