Exeter is a Stonewall champion so it’s entirely believable. The story loses impact because it’s so long ago and the student chose to go back there for a masters but it’s absolutely shocking and deserves wider discussion.
Even more shocking is what’s going on at the university right now. The menopause pages on the website don’t mention the word “woman” anywhere at all. And the transgender toilets and changing rooms policy (yes, there’s a specific, written policy for this) says that everyone should use the bathroom/changing room of their choice according to their gender identity. It’s a perverts’ charter.