Updated statement: 9am on Friday 4 October
Statement first published at 13.15 on Saturday 28 September
Key information
Durham Union Society has taken issue with the Students' Union over its decision not to include the Union Society at the Student Union’s Freshers' Fair.
Durham University, Durham Students’ Union and Durham Union Society are independent organisations, with entirely separate governance arrangements. The Freshers’ Fair is operated and managed by Durham Students’ Union. It is for Durham Students’ Union to explain any decision regarding participation or non-participation at their Freshers’ Fair.
Durham University has, on numerous occasions, urged Durham Students’ Union to reach an understanding with the Durham Union Society. It has done so in the interests of our new students being able to find out about the opportunities open to them.
As a University, while respecting the independence of Durham Students’ Union to manage the Freshers’ Fair, we are supporting the Durham Union Society in informing incoming students about their offer and to ensure it can promote the Society to new students.
For two days Durham University provided the Durham Union Society with a space and a stall in a very prominent location visible to all new students as they came out of matriculation ceremonies in Durham Cathedral. This offer was acknowledged and welcomed by the Society.
This is on the understanding that Durham Union Society is, as we believe it is, working to deliver the diverse and inclusive community we aspire to right across the University. This is of high importance.
The University urges Durham Students’ Union and the Durham Union Society to settle their differences, in the interests of our students being able to find out about the opportunities open to them.
Postponement of Durham Union Society debate, Friday 7 June
Regarding the debate of the motion ‘This House believes Palestinian leadership is the greatest barrier to peace’, this event, which was organised by Durham Union Society to take place on University premises, was previously postponed but was never cancelled. The University took advice from the Police and took a decision to postpone the event in the interests of public safety.
Durham University and Durham Union Society made this position clear to all concerned at the time.
The Durham Union Society said, in a public statement, that they appreciated the difficult situation and thanked University Security staff and Police for their hard work. It also said the Durham Union Society looked forward to working with the University on rescheduling the debate as part of a “shared commitment to free speech”. This is exactly what the University has done.
A new date for the debate has been scheduled. Durham University looks forward to working closely with Durham Union Society to ensure the event is delivered successfully and safely. Durham Union Society has also confirmed that it is satisfied with the course of events agreed last term to jointly protect freedom of speech and is committed to working closely with the University on a rescheduled event.
Durham University is committed to freedom of expression
Durham University is committed to freedom of expression within the law, and works relentlessly to encourage, nurture and promote free debate and exchange of ideas.
ENDS
/prod01/prodbucket01/media/durham-university/external-location-photography-/campus-shots-/71753.jpg)