Last June, the Office for Students (the English University sector regulator) published detailed guidance (RA24) on obligations to secure and promote freedom of speech.
The University is reviewing and revising a range of policies and procedures, and the Freedom of Speech Code of Practice (FOSCOP) was updated at the end of last term. The FOSCOP and associated External Speaker Procedure should be followed when arranging events for the University.
The changes to the FOSCOP include:
- broadened procedures to cover all meetings and activities
- clarification of potentially offensive speech within the law
- clearer risk assessment processes that prioritise enabling events to proceed
- stricter criteria for when security costs can be passed to event organisers, ensuring this happens only in exceptional circumstances.
We are working with various University departments and with the Students' Union to implement these changes across all relevant processes, which impact many of our activities. If you organise events on behalf of the University, please read the updated FOSCOP.
If you need any guidance or advice on ensuring the safety of a speaker and attendees at your event, please contact the Security Team on 01273 678234 or by email on security@sussex.ac.uk.
The FOSCOP contains a useful flow chart to help navigate the events approval process.