A message from the Vice-Chancellor
To all our students -
I hope you had an enjoyable summer and, whether you are joining us for the first time or returning to a new year of study, are looking forward to the new academic year. Despite the weather, this is a great time to be at Birmingham and there is a huge range of activities available for you to enjoy beyond your academic programme.
I’m writing, though, because it is self-evidently the case that there are national and international tensions which are a backdrop to life. Our university has a long tradition of welcoming students and staff from all backgrounds and nationalities, and everyone brings with them different experiences, beliefs, and viewpoints. As a university, we embrace these differences amidst a shared commitment to our studies, our research, and the benefits that Birmingham brings to the world.
Our size and diversity mean that there will be different views and sometimes strongly held opinions, and it is inevitable that you will disagree with many people on many things. As a community, we must first recognise that a range of views exist and, second, respect that these views are held from good intention rather than from bad. In this context, it is vitally important that we agree and disagree well. This means:
- Listen well and generously to others. Even when you vehemently disagree with someone, recognise that they may feel as passionately as you about the subject.
- Remember that we are in a university: the spirit of inquiry is at the heart of what we do. Assess the evidence behind a claim, whether you are sympathetic to it or not, and be prepared – be happy, even – to adapt your view.
- Try to articulate the best and most rigorous version of opposing arguments. Remember that to others you may be the one whose opinion seems unusual! You would like others to be fair to your position; do the same for them.
It is essential that the University is – and feels like – a place where people from all walks of life can work and study together. It must be a place where everyone feels able to share their beliefs, views, and opinions lawfully and respectfully, if they wish to.
Our approach to freedom of speech
The University has a legal duty to actively promote freedom of speech, and we have a long track record of strong support for free speech – including approving and supporting events and protests that deal with sensitive and controversial topics. Freedom of speech is a qualified right, which means we must be careful to balance the rights of individuals to express their views alongside other important rights – for example, the right to not be discriminated against.
The University is not a “public space” and so we have a Code of Practice, our internal regulations, that set out how we support and coordinate freedom of speech on campus.
I want to be really clear that the University will support you to take part in protests about issues you care deeply about. If the Code of Practice is followed, we will work with you and do our very best to ensure an event can go ahead. In some cases, we may need to put measures in place so that everyone – including participants themselves – are able to express themselves freely, safely and lawfully.
Freedom of speech doesn’t extend to actions that intimidate, and members of the University community must be able to go about their business without being disrupted. There is no place for any form of discrimination, harassment or intimidation in our university, and we will act quickly, and decisively, if we observe or are alerted to it. You can use our Report and Support portal to let us know if you witness any of these behaviours on campus.
The start of a new term is an exciting – and often daunting – time. Some of you may be experiencing things for the first time and I know that can feel really challenging. There are some excellent resources about health, welfare, and wellbeing on our website and the website of your Guild of Students. I really encourage you to take a few moments to read through them.
I hope that the year ahead is everything you want it to be. If you haven’t seen our 2024 Welcome to Birmingham video then take a look at that too.
Take care,
Adam