Warwick SU demand emergency meeting with Vice-Chancellor

The University of Warwick Students’ Union have demanded an emergency meeting with the University’s Vice Chancellor, Stuart Croft, in the aftermath of the Warwick group chat scandal.

In a video statement by President Liam Jackson and Education Officer, Larissa Kennedy, the SU stated that it “can no longer work with the University on issues of sexism, racism or any other liberation issues in good faith. For that, we must hold management to account”.

The SU is planning to hold a meeting after the All Student Meeting (ASM) on Monday 4 February to “ensure students voices are heard” when they speak to the Vice Chancellor.

Larissa Kennedy also stated: “The University can no longer give us a seat at the table without listening to our voices.” This follows confirmation from the SU earlier this week that Student Officers had sat on the appeals panel that saw the punishments of the two group chat members reduced.

In a statement to The Boar regarding this, Liam Jackson asserted: “The whole panel is bound by the collective responsibility of any decision reached – no matter how strong the voices of any individuals within that panel may be.”

The SU also point out that last year the Vice Chancellor appeared in a #WeGetConsent video in which he stated: “That means actively fostering a culture of respect for all. As a community we must strive to make our campus and local area as safe and inclusive as possible.”

The statement from the SU comes after revelations this morning that the University’s Press Officer was investigating officer for the initial group chat inquiry, and open letters from more departments including Modern Languages, Classics and Ancient History and Politics and International Studies regarding the incident.

Several societies have also organised a protest march on campus for Wednesday 6 February under the title ‘Reclaim our University Demo #ShameOnYouWarwick’ with over 700 people already expressing interest in the event.

A petition to prevent the students involved in the group chat from returning to campus has now reached almost 16,000 signatures, and alumni have condemned the University’s handling of the case. 

The SU’s video statement, and the #WeGetConsent video featuring Stuart Croft can be seen here.