The University of Lincoln Conservative Society has been forced to hand over control of their twitter account to the Students’ Union.
It follows a tweet sharing a report which said the University of Lincoln had a bad record on freedom of speech.
The university as a whole was given a ‘red’ status by online magazine Spiked, which means the institution has “banned and actively censored ideas on campus”.
On Monday afternoon the society tweeted confirmation their twitter account will be suspended until May, however they plan to appeal the decision by the SU.
Due to a disciplinary matter this Twitter account is temporarily suspended until 1st May.
— Conservative Society (@LincConSoc) March 6, 2017
Due to SU orders this Twitter account will no longer be active. We hope to return on 1st May. Sorry for any inconvenience.
— Conservative Society (@LincConSoc) March 6, 2017
A Conservative Society spokesman said in a statement:
“On the 6th March 2017, the University of Lincoln Conservative Society, in compliance with a decision by the Student Union (SU) disciplinary panel, handed over control of all social media accounts to the University of Lincoln Students Union, with the accounts to be suspended until the 1st of May 2017.
“This decision was reached by the SU following an anonymous complaint over two tweets by the society account. The first, in relation to freedom of speech, linking an article from ‘Spiked’ and the second was in relation to an SU questionnaire that had to be completed before voting in recent SU elections.
“The society was very disappointed with the decision of the SU Disciplinary Panel. However, the society has collectively chosen to comply with the ban imposed by the panel and follow the correct procedures. Despite this we will appeal the ban in the correct manner, via a letter to the Chief Executive of the SU (James Brooks).
“We feel the decision that was made is misguided and disproportionate, as the society was simply trying to raise the important issues of free speech and democracy, and the tweets in question have been taken out of context.
“The society is greatly appreciative of the support that we have been shown today by many on social media. However, the society shall continue to comply with the proper SU procedures and as such will only make further comment when it is appropriate.
“Despite this issue, the society remains active and will continue to be the Conservative voice of students in Lincoln.”
The Students’ Union said in a statement:
“Freedom of speech is a fundamental value of the Students’ Union. The SU is built on a foundation where students can express opinions and ideas freely within the law.
“The Students’ Union is run by students for students. There are agreed policies in place – based on national guidance for charities – which protect students and aims to provide a safe environment in which complex issues can be discussed and debated.
“At Lincoln, student engagement in political processes is high – the recent SU elections produced the highest turnout on record – and the Union provides many different ways for students to express their views and bring about change.
“For obvious reasons, we cannot comment on live disciplinary matters concerning members of one of our clubs and societies however; we can confirm that due to a suspected breach of the code of conduct a request has been made that the Conservative Society temporarily suspend their social media account.
“Though we are aware of some areas of concern regarding Freedom of Speech, we would like to reassure you that Lincoln SU shares the same values as the University of Lincoln in this respect.
“The University of Lincoln Students’ Union is proud to protect the rights of all individuals to express their opinions, ideas, and concerns, and would emphasize that student welfare is at the heart of everything we do.”
I am liberal in outlook and my student days are a long way back in the dim and distant past.
I am horrified by the crackdown on differing opinions that is sweeping campuses across the UK. Also, by the disingenuous attempts to characterise these differing opinions as bigoted or as examples of hate speech. And by the attempts from those who have brought about this censorship, and who are clearly embarrassed by their actions, to conceal what they have done from the wider world.
All credit to your paper for standing in the lion’s mouth and speaking truth to power.
Left liberals sure hate freedom of speech. It has spread all through American colleges where the left taken control. Don’t try speaking out if you are a conservative even if invited to speak at a formal gathering. Likely you will be physically assaulted and or shouted down… while the left liberal administration will do nothing about it.
Welcome to the bizzare-o world where students shut down the speech of other students who complain that they don’t allow free speech! Good Lord, what kind of insane bubble has the academy become? Hey kids of Lincoln, just a tip, but those lunatics delivering your lectures and running the college administration? They are there because they cannot function out in the real world. They are filling your heads with the Fantasy Rules of the Useless Echo Chamber, likely working about 15 hours a week for six months out of the year, to the tune of your parents savings or your student loan debt. All while feeling themselves superior to all. And the only job they are preparing you for is the one they currently occupy, which you will never get a sniff at because they’ve cloaked themselves in tenure. You’d get a better education scooping ice cream and trying to meet rent for a year.