Critics of a new code of conduct on protests at Lancaster University say it is ¡°repressive¡± and should be reviewed.

The code has been operational since 1 February this year. It includes requirements to give a seven-day notice period ahead of any protest, to designate a ¡°principal organiser¡± and to provide information about the planned protest on a form.

A?PhD candidate in Lancaster¡¯s department of sociology said that the ¡°new repressive code¡± was passed ¡°very secretively and without any meaningful discussion with students and staff¡±.

¡°As students we definitely see this as a threat to our freedom of expression,¡± she said. ¡°Protest is known for its spontaneous action; this is like having to schedule a protest.¡±

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The PhD candidate said that students who opposed the new plan were also ¡°very concerned¡± about the idea of the principal organiser, seeing it as a way of ¡°identifying a scapegoat if something goes wrong¡±.

She also criticised mentions of the university¡¯s responsibility under the Prevent guidance ¡°to have due regard to the need to prevent people being drawn into terrorism¡±.

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¡°This creates the idea that it is normal to make a connection between peaceful protest on campus and terrorism, which it is not,¡± said the student. ¡°This feels very much like US universities post 9/11 and it is not right.¡±

Lancaster¡¯s University and College Union branch has also raised concerns about the new code, which it called ¡°unnecessary, regressive and impractical¡±.

¡°This proposed policy includes specific provisions that are onerous and are likely ¨C indeed, seem intended ¨C to create barriers for those who wish to peacefully voice their dissent,¡± the union said.

The branch questioned why Lancaster was in a ¡°small minority of UK universities¡± to have a code of conduct on protest and criticised the ¡°arbitrary and pre-emptive character of the conditions in which the university reserves itself the right to prohibit¡± a protest.

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These conditions include if a planned activity?is judged to be unsafe or if insufficient guarantees can be provided that the protest will remain within the law.

A university spokeswoman said that a number of protests had occurred on campus since the new code was introduced, ¡°without any issues about arrangements being raised¡±.

A draft of the code was sent to representatives of staff unions in December last year and discussed at a consultation meeting later the same month, she said.

¡°None of the issues now identified by UCU were raised at that meeting,¡± the spokeswoman continued. ¡°As is the case with any policy, we are open to feedback and will periodically review policies in light of our experience in putting them into operation.¡±

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The spokeswoman said that Simon Jennings, the university¡¯s director of strategic planning and governance, had already met with students and had offered to have further discussion with UCU members.

nick.mayo@timeshighereducation.com