This short report was first published as a lead story for our Nouseletter.
The past two weeks have seen two open letters launched by York students against our University and Students' Union.
This follows an open letter sent to Vice-Chancellor Charlie Jeffrey from the SU in early November, calling for a change to the "devaluing" of York's collegiate system through extensive cuts. You can read our investigation into these cuts here.
The open letters address two landmark events on campus in recent months: the harassment of student protestors by "independent journalists" (grown men pursuing far-right ideologies), and the creation of a University of York Reform Society.
In early October, three men subjected students taking part in an on-campus pro-Palestine protest to extensive physical and verbal harassment. All three are part of a movement of far-right "auditors" who regularly upload similar footage online. The monetisation of these videos is their primary source of income.
A latent Campus Safety response saw protestors seek refuge in the Roger Kirk Centre, where one had several panic attacks. After a lengthy discussion with protestors, Campus Safety removed the three intruders from campus. A University Spokesperson was unable to give Nouse any details of further action taken to protect students, but we can confirm that YorkSU are in talks with Campus Safety to improve the student experience.
Nouse were the first to break the story following a lengthy investigation by two of our news editors - you can read the full piece here. This was then picked up by Novo, a social media-based media outlet who produced a piece of broadcast journalism in Instagram Reel format. The reel, which garnered almost 40,000 views, makes similar claims to our article, but does misidentify the far-right individuals involved and also claims that they were "protected" by Campus Safety, and that they were involved in the Rotherham riots in Summer. Nouse has found no evidence to support these last two claims.
As it is a short-form video, any existing evidence to support these claims is not clearly laid out or immediately available. Following reaction videos posted by several of the far-right individuals named in the reel, Novo's instagram comments were flooded by their supporters claiming the claims in the video were unfounded.
A Black Novo media presenter who appeared in the video was subjected to racial abuse in one far-right individuals YouTube comments section - one user said "A narrow mind and a wide mouth usually go together. Sue him."
The York Encampment Collective, in collaboration with Novo, have launched an open letter, addressed to Vice-Chancellor Charlie Jeffrey's, that questions York's "ability to ensure student safety and uphold its values" and criticises the University's lack of a public statement regarding the protest.
The second, most recent, open letter is a response to the creation of a Reform UK society at our University. Nouse broke the news that York SU planned to ratify the society at the start of December, and many students were outraged.
Student groups came together to write an open letter, criticising Reform's "homophobic and transphobic" sentiments, and the racism of its activists. The letter declares that "we will not let its attempts to divide our community here in York succeed", and calls on "the University of York and York SU to ensure that marginalised students and staff are able to study and work free from hatred and abuse."
The letter was signed by well over 500 students and a large cohort of societies and student groups, including York Palestine Encampment, History Society, York Action for Student-Staff Solidarity, Quaker society, Coeliac Disease Society, Islamic Society, Physics Society, Harry Styles Society, Pub Society, Circulation Magazine, Vegan Socirty and YorQueer Society.
YorkSU activities officer Kaitlyn Beattie-Zarb and Union Affairs Officer Lewis Parrey released a statement on behalf of York SU in response:
“We recognise the concerns that some members of our community have raised, following the ratification of a Reform Society to join our growing community of political societies on campus.”
“As Reform UK is a nationally registered political party, with membership in Parliament, we understand students’ interests in forming their own cohort here in York.
“Members of the [Student Union] Committee […] sought assurances from student leaders that the group fully understood the implications of ratifying, and the responsibilities of ratified student societies to uphold inclusivity and respect the rights, dignity and values of others.”
"We strive to prevent all forms of discrimination and inequality. All ratified groups are required to adhere to the York SU student Code of Conduct, which sets out expected standards of behaviour to protect all students and create an inclusive environment.”
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