The University Watchdog Chief Lord Wharton, has declared that vice-chancellors have a duty to protect free speech and that lecturers and professors must not be silenced. Wharton is the Chairman of the Office For Students.
Yesterday, he said that scholars should be able to speak on any issue, even if their opinions are deemed to be contentious. He said that scholars should not be intimidated for expressing their views.
Writing in The Telegraph Lord Wharton said:
“Academics cannot be expected to engage fully with their disciplines if they fear complaints which could effectively end their careers. They must be protected to ask difficult questions.
Higher education is the stepping stone for many people into adult life. Students must understand that they may well face ideas and philosophies that they are uncomfortable with, even offended by, as they make their way in the world.”
Kathleen Stock, a Professor in Analytic Philosophy, left the University of Sussex last week after being subjected to abuse and death threats from students and activists who had accused her of transphobia.
She said that in her opinion, it is not possible to change your biological sex and that people who identify as women should not have the automatic right to enter women-only spaces.
She stated an immutable truth and her life was threatened. The police advised her to employ a personal security guard and to install CCTV at her home.
As I understand it, despite the fact that threatening to kill someone is a serious crime, nobody has been arrested. The government says its forthcoming “Higher Education, Freedom Of Speech Bill” will prevent what happened to Professor Stock happening again.
It’s a no-brainer though. Students who burn effigies of lecturers they disagree with, should be immediately kicked off campus. Students who take to social media to threaten to kill or harm academics, should be identified and arrested.