While freedom of speech does have to be balanced with welfare and wellbeing, the statement that events should be organised to try and avoid “intimidation, coercion, victimisation or harassment” is a wide sweeping statement which could be used to stop pro-life events.
Regarding freedom of speech, the University states that “academic freedom concerns freedom, within the law and within one’s own subject discipline, to question and test perceived wisdom and to put forward new ideas and controversial and unpopular opinions, without fear of victimisation. In these respects the normal expectations of good faith, trust and confidence applies and it would be expected that individuals will not do anything that would seriously damage the University’s reputation or interests.” Whether a student should be allowed to express a deeply held pro-life conviction falls into this explanation.
Whether an external pro-life speaker would be allowed to speak on campus falls within the University’s Management of Speakers Protocol which states that both the University and Students’ Union “have a responsibility to organise events in such a way as to avoid, so far as is reasonably practicable, staff, students or others being subject to intimidation, coercion, victimisation or harassment.” Subsequently, the University “must balance its legal duties to protect freedom of speech and academic freedom with the wider context of students and staff welfare and wellbeing.”
The University states that it is “committed” to “embracing a positive attitude towards the promotion of equality on the basis of... religion or belief… to ensure all reach their full potential.”
Whether an external pro-life speaker would be allowed to speak on campus falls within the University’s Management of Speakers Protocol which states that both the University and Students’ Union “have a responsibility to organise events in such a way as to avoid, so far as is reasonably practicable, staff, students or others being subject to intimidation, coercion, victimisation or harassment.” Subsequently, the University “must balance its legal duties to protect freedom of speech and academic freedom with the wider context of students and staff welfare and wellbeing.”
The University states that it is “committed” to “embracing a positive attitude towards the promotion of equality on the basis of... religion or belief… to ensure all reach their full potential.”