The following is an interim statement by the Vice-Chancellor and President (28 April 2025) and may be superseded.
City St George's is reviewing its suite of policies, in the light of both the Office for Student's decision in respect of the University of Sussex, and the legal challenge to this decision currently underway. Ultimately, we must be guided by the law, which is reflected in our Royal Charter, and by the requirements of our regulator, insofar as they are acting within their powers.
Our Charter provides for 'Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom'. Specifically, it requires that (a) 'the University shall take reasonably practicable steps to secure freedom of speech within the law for its staff members, students and visiting speakers'. And that b) 'academic staff shall have freedom within the law to question and test received wisdom, and to put forward new ideas and controversial or unpopular opinions, without placing themselves at risk of being adversely affected' (in terms of their employment). The wording, which is aligned with the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 does not, of course, require that such ideas or opinions are received without active contest.
In the event, and as may be the case, that the legal and regulatory positions are in conflict we are required to resolve the matter in accordance with the proper function and purposes of City St George's, University of London. We may believe that it is unreasonable to require institutions to do this whilst at legal, regulatory and reputational risk, nevertheless this is the position we are in.
Whilst we do not – and should not in any way – constrain the views expressed in the context of academic discourse, curricula are subject to collective governance, and proper pedagogy to the exercise of management control.
Behaviour that interferes with the ‘essential functioning of the university’ may be regulated by the university. We may restrict – in the service of the essential functions – the ‘time, place and manner’ of behaviours (and ‘expression’) but may not regulate in respect of the content of speech (except insofar as it is ‘within the law’). That is any restrictions must be neutral with respect to viewpoint.
City St George's is a university of business, practice and the professions. It places a particular emphasis on business, health, medicine and the trades of the City of London; and works in close association with the professions and with a focus on the application of knowledge and skills in practice. To function in this manner, and to serve these distinctive purposes – provided for in our Royal Charter – we set particularly high standards of professional behaviour for staff members and students. We require workplace behaviours equivalent to those in the regulated settings where our students are expected ultimately to practice.
Bullying and harassment are never acceptable and specifically where they relate to a protected characteristic (which may include a ‘belief’). The creation of an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment that might interfere with education and the acquisition of knowledge and understanding through teaching, research, and engagement, will be subject to sanction at City St George's.
To the extent that the rights conferred in respect of freedom of speech and academic freedom are in tension with the protections required by our obligations to protect staff and students from bullying and harassment we will seek to decide these matters on the particulars of the circumstances that present themselves and will justify our decision accordingly.
It is unlikely that teaching or research, conducted in accordance with accepted models of scholarship and academic or professional discourse, would be deemed bullying or harassment.
There is a legal duty to have regard to fostering good relations between people who share and people who do not share a protected characteristic.
Whilst we are reviewing our current institutional policies, we are of the view that these policies reflect our current best understanding of the requirements we are placed under. Our policies do not stand in isolation but should be read in conjunction and interpreted as a body in the light of our Charter, Statutes and Ordinances. Finally, Council delegates its authority and responsibility to the Vice-Chancellor and President in respect of its policies (excepting those related to academic matters delegated to Senate or matters otherwise reserved by Council) and specifically Freedom of Speech. The power to make binding institutional policy is not delegated to Schools or Departments. None of the matters referenced above are reserved for Council.