With the continuation of the demonstration on campus by Warwick Stands With Palestine – a coalition of student and staff organisations – restrictions to access to University House remain in place, to maintain the safety of our community. University House remains closed to students, and staff will need to enter the building through the main reception at the front. The building is open to staff from 7am until 6pm.

Please rest assured that these measures are in place to help the University continue its normal activity and above all keep everyone safe and secure. The demonstration is being monitored and managed in line with our legal duty.

For colleagues involved in our upcoming Open Days, we will be sharing FAQs with Heads of Department next week.

Universities are bastions of critical thinking and open dialogue, where free speech is vigorously protected. However, racism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, and any form of abuse, incitement, or harassment which is targeted at an individual or group is not acceptable. We encourage any incidents to be reported promptly via our Report + Support service.Link opens in a new window

We want to let colleagues know that we are expecting a rally to take place outside Senate House from 12pm tomorrow, Wednesday 5 June.

The rally is being organised by Warwick Stands with Palestine – a coalition of student and staff organisations. We have seen before that a rally can evolve into a march and move across campus, and this may occur again.

We would like to reassure you that to help maintain the safety and security of our campus community, the Community Safety Team will be in place. They will also provide support if the march moves across campus.

Restrictions to access to University House remain in place to maintain the safety of our community. University House remains closed to students, and staff will need to enter the building through the main reception at the front. The building is open to staff from 7am until 6pm.

Please rest assured that these measures are in place to help the University continue its normal activity and above all keep everyone safe and secure.

Universities are bastions of critical thinking and open dialogue, where free speech is vigorously protected. However, racism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, and any form of abuse, incitement, or harassment which is targeted at an individual or group is not acceptable. We encourage any incidents to be reported promptly via ourReport + Support service.Link opens in a new window

Latest update: Tuesday 28 May

The University Council met today, 22 May. Council is the governing body of the University and has a majority of independent members, alongside staff and student members. They discussed the recent campus demonstrations, a petition on the Middle East conflict and the Students’ Union paper on ‘demilitarisation’.

This is a difficult time for members of our community with so many of us having seen and heard about the humanitarian impact of the current conflict in the Middle East.

Since last October, many differing opinions have been expressed. During this time, the University has urged our community to act with kindness and empathy, even when a view is different to their own – this was reinforced by Council in their discussions today.

Council expressed confidence in the policies and procedures that are in place to oversee work we undertake with third parties. This includes a number of committees and processes that involve student representatives and independent experts.

Whilst the University undertakes work with the defence sector, including research supporting the transition to a low carbon and more sustainable world, it does not hold contracts leading to the direct manufacturing or assembly of offensive weaponry or capabilities.

To reinforce Council’s role in ensuring our ethical framework is fit-for-purpose, the following actions were agreed:

1. A review of the Acceptance and Solicitation of Gifts Policy.
2. A review of our Socially Responsible Investment Policy (noting we already invest via Charity Responsible Multi-Asset Fund).
3. A review of our processes and controls for consideration of academic partnerships and research contracts as to reflect the same ethical consideration it takes in its investment and fundraising frameworks.
4. Members of our Audit and Risk Committee will oversee the review process.

Commenting on the Middle East Conflict
Universities are apolitical organisations, and we pride ourselves on remaining independent and objective. Council does not make political statements or support particular political positions. This stance will be reinforced by the proposed Economic Activities of Public Bodies Bill, which will ban public bodies from ‘imposing direct or indirect boycotts, divestments or sanctions campaigns against foreign countries’. In line with this, the Office for Students has advised universities against making political statements.

Supporting Higher Education in Palestine
The University is proud to be a University of Sanctuary, which supports refugees and asylum-seekers from conflict zones. In the last five years it has supported dozens of students from a range of countries including Syria, Afghanistan, Libya, Yemen, Palestine, and Ukraine.

We participate in the British Council HESPAL scheme that provides scholarships for Palestinian students.

We are also active participants in the Council For At Risk Academics (CARA) scheme for refugee academics. Warwick is working with other universities to discuss how this scheme can help academics in Gaza.

Furthermore, a meeting has taken place with academic advocates for Palestine to open the way for the University to take part in the international efforts for Higher Education in Gaza. This includes helping a University in the West Bank to provide education for displaced students.

Update on the current demonstrations
The University has been managing the demonstrations in line with its legal duty to protect freedom of speech. Any discrimination targeted at an individual or group will not be tolerated as such actions contravene our own regulations and are potentially unlawful. Over the last week some members of University staff have been targeted by masked protestors. Last night members of our Community Safety Team were allegedly assaulted, whilst Warwick Conferences staff and guests felt intimidated. The alleged assaults have been reported to the police. These actions are wholly unacceptable. Our utmost priority is to maintain the safety and security of our campus community and we reiterate that all demonstrations should be lawful.

We want to let colleagues know that we are expecting a rally to take place outside Senate House from 12pm today (Wednesday 22 May) which will coincide with a regular meeting of the University Council. The rally is being organised by Warwick Stands with Palestine – a coalition of student and staff organisations. We have seen before that a rally can evolve into a march and move across campus, and this may occur again today.

We would like to reassure you that to help maintain the safety and security of our campus community, the Community Safety Team will be in place. They will also provide support if the march moves across campus. The Community Safety Team will be supported by security provider SNSG, who will be in a different uniform. You may be asked to use alternative entry and exit points to buildings during this time.

We would like to remind staff members to ensure that their desks remain clear of confidential information and to be alert to possible tailgating into the building and offices. All staff are asked to ensure that their staff ID is visible and provide it to members of the Community Safety Team if requested. You are asked not to engage with any protestors if they do access the building, all you need to do is move out of the way and the Community Safety Team will take the lead. As always, your safety and wellbeing remains our top priority.

Universities are bastions of critical thinking and open dialogue, where free speech is vigorously protected. However, racism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, and any form of abuse, incitement, or harassment which is targeted at an individual or group is not acceptable. We encourage any incidents to be reported promptly via our Report + Support service.

We wanted to let colleagues know that we are expecting a rally to take place outside Senate House from 12pm on Wednesday 22 May, and there may be an additional protest earlier in the day. This will coincide with a regular meeting of the University Council. The rally is being organised by Warwick Stands with Palestine – a coalition of student and staff organisations.

To help maintain the safety and security of our campus community, the Community Safety Team will be in place. They will also provide support if the march moves across campus. The Community Safety Team will be supported by security provider SNSG, who will be in a different uniform. You may be asked to use alternative entry and exit points to buildings during this time.

Universities are bastions of critical thinking and open dialogue, where free speech is vigorously protected. However, racism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, and any form of abuse, incitement, or harassment which is targeted at an individual or group is not acceptable. We encourage all incidents to be reported promptly via our Report + Support service.Link opens in a new window

Warwick Stands With Palestine – a coalition of student and staff organisations – are continuing their demonstration on the lawn outside of Senate House.

Our Community Safety Team is working to maintain the safety and security of our campus community. The demonstration is being monitored and managed in line with our legal duty.

Universities are bastions of critical thinking and open dialogue, where free speech is vigorously protected. However, racism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, and any form of abuse, incitement, or harassment which is targeted at an individual or group is not acceptable. We encourage all incidents to be reported promptly via ourReport + Support serviceLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window.

Warwick Stands With Palestine – a coalition of student and staff organisations – are currently demonstrating on campus.

Demonstrators are planning to hold a rally outside Senate House tomorrow (Wednesday 15 May).

To help maintain the safety and security of our campus community, the Community Safety Team will be in place. You may be asked to use alternative entry and exit points to buildings during this time.

At this point we don't know whether the demonstrators will march across campus. If they do, the Community Safety Team will provide support to ensure as little disruption as possible.

As you know, universities are bastions of critical thinking and open dialogue, where free speech is vigorously protected.However, racism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, and any form of abuse, incitement, or harassment which is targeted at an individual or group is not acceptable. We encourage all incidents to be reported promptly via ourReport + Support service.

Warwick Stands With Palestine – a coalition of student and staff organisations – has been occupying the Piazza since Thursday 25 April. Overnight (Monday 13 May), the encampment has relocated to the lawns outside Senate House.

Senate House is home to the University’s Careers Service, Student Information Centre, Immigration and Wellbeing Services. These services continue to operate and those working in Senate House will be communicated to locally.

We are continuing to carefully monitor and manage this demonstration in line with our legal duty. Any unlawful activity will not be accepted.

Since Thursday 25 April, Warwick Stands With Palestine – a coalition of student and staff organisations – has been occupying the Piazza. There are similar protests taking place across campuses in the UK and worldwide.

We have made attempts to speak to the organisers of the encampment and are in regular contact with our Jewish Community and the Students’ Union. We are continuing to carefully monitor and manage this demonstration in line with our legal duty. Any unlawful activity will not be accepted.

Earlier this week, the demonstrators held a march across campus. Our Community Safety team worked to maintain the safety and security of the campus community. If a march takes place again, we’ll take a similar approach – and if we can inform colleagues in advance, we will.

Our Wellbeing and Safeguarding team is working with those who are in need of support at this time.

As you know, universities are bastions of critical thinking and open dialogue, where free speech is vigorously protected. However, racism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, and any form of abuse, incitement, or harassment which is targeted at an individual or group is not acceptable. We encourage all incidents to be reported promptly via our Report + Support service.

We recognise the distressing events in the Middle East and their repercussions on campuses worldwide. In light of this, our primary objective remains the safety of our entire campus community.

To maintain normal campus activities and allow peaceful demonstrations, we have increased support from our Community Safety Team. Additionally, our Wellbeing and Safeguarding Team is closely monitoring the situation and providing necessary support to our community members.

Universities are bastions of critical thinking and open dialogue, where free speech is vigorously protected. However, racism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, and any form of abuse, incitement, or harassment which is targeted at an individual or group is not acceptable. We encourage all incidents to be reported promptly viaReport + Support.

We urge everyone to respect differing viewpoints. By fostering a respectful and secure environment, we can ensure our campus remains a secure space for all.

Last Thursday, 25 April, a number of tents were erected on the Piazza by Warwick Stands With Palestine – a coalition of student and staff organisations. The demonstration remains in place.

Freedom of speech is a vital component of university life - we remind staff and students to respect views that are different from their own, with kindness, respect and empathy. The University is working to begin discussions with the demonstration’s organisers.

Last night (Thursday 25 April) a number of tents were erected on the Piazza by Warwick Stands With Palestine – a coalition of student and staff organisations. We are talking to members of the coalition and engaging positively. We are aware of an agenda for action that has been shared via social media channels.

The protest is planned for Friday 26 April and Saturday 27 April and activities have been planned until 5.30pm.

Although freedom of speech is a vital component of university life, we remind staff and students to respect the views that are different from their own, with kindness, respect and empathy. We will of course, keep you up to date with any developments.