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whoputthecatout · 19/10/2017 12:05

I do wonder how these snowflakes will cope when they actually grow up and meet the real world. It's going to be a bit of a shock when they learn that the world does not revolve around them and their sensitive feelings.

This madness is not doing students any favours.

Droogan · 19/10/2017 10:29

That's good. The way that students insist on being mollycoddled is really worrying. Like refusing to accept that they are now adults. A very bad preparation for the rest of their adult life. And of course this is taken advantage of by groups such as the transgender movement, Zionists, etc, to close down free speech which challenges their positions.

DJBaggySmalls · 19/10/2017 10:05

''Speakers including Germaine Greer and Peter Tatchell have been targeted by student protests over their views on transgender issues. Greer eventually spoke at Cardiff University under tight security. Mr Johnson said it was “preposterous” for the feminist to be banned from speaking in campuses.

“She has every right, if invited, to give views on difficult and awkward subjects,” he said. “No-platforming and safe spaces shouldn’t be used to shut down legitimate free speech.

Legitimate free speech, I like that phrase.

Blanchefleur · 19/10/2017 09:24

Sir Michael Barber, chair of the OfS, said: “Ensuring freedom of speech and learning how to disagree with diverse opinions and differing views of the world is a fundamental aspect of learning at university. The OfS will promote it vigorously.”

Great to hear this!

Original poster
busyboysmum · 19/10/2017 08:24

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thursday october 19 2017
News

Universities told to guarantee free speech

● End ‘no-platforms’ or face blacklist, says minister ● Two-year courses aimed at squeezed students

Alice Thomson, Rachel Sylvester, Nicola Woolcock
October 19 2017, 12:01am, The Times
Jo Johnson, the universities minister, said any university that failed to protect freedom of speech could be fined
Jo Johnson, the universities minister, said any university that failed to protect freedom of speech could be fined
TIMES PHOTOGRAPHER RICHARD POHLE
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Universities must pledge to uphold free speech on campus or face being blacklisted by the new higher education regulator, the government will announce today.

It will force universities to challenge the culture of so-called safe spaces and to answer for the behaviour of student unions that “no platform” controversial speakers.

Jo Johnson, the universities minister, said any that failed to protect freedom of speech could be fined, suspended or ultimately deregistered by the new Office for Students (OfS) in an extensive reorganisation of the sector.

He told The Times that all universities would have a statutory duty to make the commitment in their governance documents as a condition of registration with the OfS.

In a hard-hitting interview Mr Johnson said that he would also push for:

● More two-year degrees to save students money. Leading universities are reluctant to embrace two-year courses, which at present are offered by only a few and cost the same as three-year courses.

● A brake on degree grade inflation, which has led to fears that standards of excellence are dropping.

● Curbs on cheating and plagiarism.

Mr Johnson’s comments expand on a letter he wrote to universities in March, seen by The Times, which set out his ambitions. He said: “Freedom of speech is a fundamentally British value which is undermined by a reluctance of institutions to embrace healthy vigorous debate. Our universities must open minds not close them.”

Speakers including Germaine Greer and Peter Tatchell have been targeted by student protests over their views on transgender issues. Greer eventually spoke at Cardiff University under tight security. Mr Johnson said it was “preposterous” for the feminist to be banned from speaking in campuses.

“She has every right, if invited, to give views on difficult and awkward subjects,” he said. “No-platforming and safe spaces shouldn’t be used to shut down legitimate free speech.

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