While the University of Strathclyde strongly supported freedom of speech in principle, it stood by for 2 years while the rights of the pro-life society were trampled upon by the Student Union. They also actively discriminated against the pro-life society at the group's first freshers fayre.
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“We believe that the right to life is important, but we also believe we should have the right to express this. With freedom of expression, if an unreasonable idea is produced in society we can address it, talk about it and challenge it. That's not happening here.
Jamie Former member of Strathclyde Students for Life |
The University states, “The University seeks to foster a culture which permits freedom of speech within a framework of mutual respect.” Values which apply to both staff and students state that they have the “freedom within the law to question and test received wisdom and to put forward new ideas and controversial or unpopular opinions without putting themselves at risk of losing their jobs, or any privileges which they may enjoy at the University, by virtue of such ideas or opinion.” They also refer to this in relation to whether a student should be allowed to express a deeply held pro-life conviction.
The University also states that, in relation to who can use/hire the university buildings/facilities, it “does not seek to restrict this fundamental freedom through this policy.” Yet the University of Strathclyde Student Association (USSA) had an official policy which prevented the affiliation of pro-life groups: “The establishment of anti-choice groups would directly contravene equal opportunities policy by giving them a platform to harass students. This in turn violates their safe space. Allowing an anti-choice group to form would be a barrier to freedom, equality and body autonomy for those with uteruses on campus.” Strathclyde Students for Life were banned in December 2016. After they challenged the legality of USSA’s position in March 2017, on the grounds of the Equality Act 2010, the student’s association voted to remove the clause and the society was granted affiliation in October 2018. [1]
At their first freshers fayre, in September 2019, members of the student group were approached by a Student Association member of staff and told to take down their society logo - the silhouette/cartoon of a developed and grown foetus - because it was too graphic and in violation of the new so-called pro-choice policy. Students also had to remove the rest of their materials, including supportive leaflets for students facing a crisis pregnancy and information about post-abortion counselling, and were told that if they said they were pro-life they would also be in contravention of the policy. This left them with no way to reach out to students. Society members reported feeling bullied, discriminated against, and feeling that they had to leave to protect their own wellbeing.
[1] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-38213150
The University also states that, in relation to who can use/hire the university buildings/facilities, it “does not seek to restrict this fundamental freedom through this policy.” Yet the University of Strathclyde Student Association (USSA) had an official policy which prevented the affiliation of pro-life groups: “The establishment of anti-choice groups would directly contravene equal opportunities policy by giving them a platform to harass students. This in turn violates their safe space. Allowing an anti-choice group to form would be a barrier to freedom, equality and body autonomy for those with uteruses on campus.” Strathclyde Students for Life were banned in December 2016. After they challenged the legality of USSA’s position in March 2017, on the grounds of the Equality Act 2010, the student’s association voted to remove the clause and the society was granted affiliation in October 2018. [1]
At their first freshers fayre, in September 2019, members of the student group were approached by a Student Association member of staff and told to take down their society logo - the silhouette/cartoon of a developed and grown foetus - because it was too graphic and in violation of the new so-called pro-choice policy. Students also had to remove the rest of their materials, including supportive leaflets for students facing a crisis pregnancy and information about post-abortion counselling, and were told that if they said they were pro-life they would also be in contravention of the policy. This left them with no way to reach out to students. Society members reported feeling bullied, discriminated against, and feeling that they had to leave to protect their own wellbeing.
[1] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-38213150