Law School - Statement on Recent Disciplinary Hearings

Warwick Law School condemns the behaviour of the students who have been found to have been involved in racist and misogynistic ‘group chats’ that were directly threatening to, and abusive of, fellow students. We welcome the recent statement issued by the Provost that also condemns this behaviour.

We view the protection and support of the students who were the subjects of this abuse to be paramount. Equally important is the maintenance of an environment of equality, diversity, dignity and respect for all other students and staff. We want everyone to feel, and to be, safe to learn and work together. We want everyone to be confident that threats and abuse of this kind will not be tolerated, and that incidents like this will be subject to swift and appropriate action.

We appreciate the confidential nature of disciplinary proceedings and acknowledge that it would be inappropriate for the University to comment in detail on the specifics of this case. However, the assertion by one of the female students who was the subject of such threats and abuse that she was not kept informed of proceedings in a timely, appropriate and duly sensitive manner raises significant concerns about University processes that we are confident the University will address.

The Law School is committed to the values of equality, diversity, dignity and respect. We take seriously our responsibility to foster those values amongst its students and staff. We always have been and will remain, a safe, inclusive and respectful working and learning environment. We will do all we can to support, protect and reassure anyone who is the subject of abuse. Anyone who needs support in relation to such incidents should contact their personal tutor, the Director of Student Support & Wellbeing or myself.

Andrew Sanders

Head of Warwick Law School, University of Warwick