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6/19/2025, 12:18:18 PM
>Students should be ready to be shocked and offended at university, according to the man in charge of ensuring free speech on campuses.
>Arif Ahmed, from the Office for Students (OfS), which regulates universities, told the BBC that exposure to views which students might find offensive was "part of the process of education".
>It comes as the OfS published guidance for universities in England on how a new law, designed to protect free speech, will work when it comes into force from August.
>Universities had requested clarity from the OfS on how to best uphold freedom of speech, after the University of Sussex was fined £585,000 for failing to do so in March.
>The university was issued with the fine earlier this year under existing powers, after the OfS said its policy on trans and non-binary equality had a "chilling effect" on freedom of speech.
>Kathleen Stock had previously resigned from her post as philosophy professor at the university, following protests by students against her gender-critical views.
>The university has begun a legal challenge against the fine, arguing that the investigation was flawed.
>Universities UK, which represents 141 institutions, said at the time of the fine that it would write to the OfS to clarify what would represent a breach of freedom of speech rules.
>They now say they are "pleased" the OfS has taken on feedback, and would "make sure universities are appropriately supported to comply" with the new rules.
>From this summer, the new law will place a stronger responsibility on universities in England to uphold freedom of speech and academic freedom.
>Arif Ahmed, from the Office for Students (OfS), which regulates universities, told the BBC that exposure to views which students might find offensive was "part of the process of education".
>It comes as the OfS published guidance for universities in England on how a new law, designed to protect free speech, will work when it comes into force from August.
>Universities had requested clarity from the OfS on how to best uphold freedom of speech, after the University of Sussex was fined £585,000 for failing to do so in March.
>The university was issued with the fine earlier this year under existing powers, after the OfS said its policy on trans and non-binary equality had a "chilling effect" on freedom of speech.
>Kathleen Stock had previously resigned from her post as philosophy professor at the university, following protests by students against her gender-critical views.
>The university has begun a legal challenge against the fine, arguing that the investigation was flawed.
>Universities UK, which represents 141 institutions, said at the time of the fine that it would write to the OfS to clarify what would represent a breach of freedom of speech rules.
>They now say they are "pleased" the OfS has taken on feedback, and would "make sure universities are appropriately supported to comply" with the new rules.
>From this summer, the new law will place a stronger responsibility on universities in England to uphold freedom of speech and academic freedom.
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