THE UNIVERSITY of Warwick has hired an expert criminal lawyer to lead an investigation into its handling of students suspended over ‘racist and mysognistic’ group chat messages – including comments about rape.
Widespread outrage remains that the initial 10 year suspensions – for two of five students punished – were reduced to 12 months after an appeal and ‘new evidence.’
University chiefs have since rescinded that decision, confirming the two students would not return – after days of intense pressure.
Now university chiefs have announced a review will be undertaken by an expert panel into its disciplinary procedures – after stinging criticism from its own students.
Registrar Rachel Sandby-Thomas, on behalf of university leadership, apologised to students and ‘victims’ in a detailed press release announcing the forthcoming probe.
It says Dr Sharon Persaud – a decorated solicitor with over 25 years of experience – is set to lead the fully independent review.
She was also a partner at a legal firm practising in criminal defence.
Ms Sandby-Thomas wrote: “As an independent reviewer Dr Persaud will be free to decide how best to conduct the review.
“I envisage she will want to look at the written records, to speak to those who were involved in the process and to hear views more widely.
“We will be asking her both to produce a ‘lessons learnt’ and to make recommendations for our future student disciplinary processes and procedures.”
She added: “Many, inside and outside the university, have called into question our processes for dealing with the kind of abhorrent behaviour we saw in the group chat.
“We understand that our world is becoming increasingly complex, not least because of social media, and that we need to look at how our processes are able to adapt to this new context.”
The news comes on the back of student union president Liam Jackson sending a letter on behalf of members to vice-chancellor Stuart Croft saying students had lost confidence in him and the university’s disciplinary systems.
They called for his resignation if he cannot show remorse for initially supporting the decision.
About 500 students descended on the university’s campus in Gibbets Hill, Coventry, to condemn the decision to reduce the suspensions which would have seen the perpetrators resume their studies in September.
It could have seen them return to brush shoulders with some of those they made threatening comments about.
A petition, now with more than 75,000 signatures, was also launched calling on university chiefs to ‘say no to violence on campus’.
The two students were banned for 10 years after messages were sent on a private online chat about rape, sexual violence and teenage schoolgirls – some including racial insults.
Two other students were banned for one year, while another was expelled.
The private messenger chat was first revealed by the university newspaper, The Boar. The messages include remarks such as: “It’s sometimes fun to just go wild and rape 100 girls.”
“I’d record my girl getting raped.”
Another writes: “I love Hitler. I hate n***** and Jews and Corbyn. Crusade for racism? I hate c**ns.”
The group’s name was changed to ‘F*** women. Disrespect them all.’
The students who were suspended have not commented publicly and there is no allegation they have committed violent acts.
