[lg policy] WALES: Cardiff Metropolitan University Accused Of Censorship Over ‘Gender Neutral’ Language Policy

[Harold Schiffman]

 Cardiff Metropolitan University Accused Of Censorship Over
Cardiff Metropolitan University brings in ‘gender neutral’ language policy.
03/03/2017 11:30
130
<http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/author/jasmin-gray>
Jasmin Gray <http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/author/jasmin-gray> Students
Reporter, The Huffington Post UK

A Welsh university has been accused of censorship
<http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/censorship/> after banning the use of
terms such as “right-hand man”, “waitress” and “forefathers” on campus in a
crackdown on gendered language.

Students and staff at Cardiff Metropolitan University could face
“disciplinary procedures” if they fail to adhere to the institution’s
language policy, which states that terms such as “mankind”, “housewife” and
“man-made” should be avoided.

“In general terms language should always be inclusive,” the document reads,
offering a check-list of 34 gender-neutral terms.
- ADVERTISEMENT -

Swapping “sportsmanship” for “sense of fair play” and “workmanlike” for
“efficient”, students are also advised to use the term “typical citizen”
instead of “man in the street”.

Despite the university’s aim to make everyone on campus “feel valued”,
Cardiff Met has been accused of attacking free speech and patronising
students and staff.

Dr Joanna Williams, academic freedom expert and University of Kent
lecturer, told the Telegraph
<http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/2017/03/02/university-bans-phrases-right-hand-man-gentlemans-agreement/>
the ban was “unnecessary”.

“The idea that in a university people need to be dictated to in this way is
really insulting to students and academics, we should be able to cope with
words.

“These words have evolved over a long period of time and they don’t have
sexist associations.”
Google Maps
*Cardiff Metropolitan University has been accused of censorship over its
inclusive language policy*

The policy also dictates that the phrases “homosexual” and “heterosexual”
should not be used as they are “laden with the values of a previous time”.

“Referring to ‘same-sex’ and ‘other-sex’ relationships is a good option,”
the document reads.

“Nobody likes being lumped together in a group, so try to avoid generalised
terms such as ‘the disabled’, ‘the blind’,” it continues.

“’Disabled people’ is preferable to ‘the disabled’ or ‘people with
disabilities’ as it emphasises that the people are disabled by a society
which doesn’t accommodate them.

“Don’t be too anxious about the use of language, though,” the policy adds.

“Blind people do use terms like ‘see you later’ and being too careful can
make conversation difficult for both parties.”

But the document has sparked a backlash from members of the public who say
it represents yet another restriction on free speech in higher education.

A study released last month revealed that 94% of universities now censor
their students.
<http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/94-uk-universities-censor-students-free-speech-campus_uk_58a1a80be4b0ab2d2b170036>

Last month, former English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson was banned
from speaking at Oxford Brookes over protest fears
<http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/tommy-robinson-free-speech-oxford-brookes-university-cancelled-protest-fears_uk_589b0b2fe4b076856217bd47>,
while the student union at Strathclyde University prevented a pro-life
group from founding an official society over fears it would violate
students’ “safe space” on campus.
<http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/university-of-strathclyde-student-union-bans-pro-life-group-for-violating-students-safe-space_uk_5845420ce4b061fb97e5eddd>

A man named Richard Dowling wrote on Twitter: “Yet another case of free
speech being stifled on our uni campuses. This is getting silly (and
dangerous)!”
Another social media user sarcastically commented that it was nice to see
universities “spending money wisely”, while someone else called the policy
“another idiotic student clampdown”.

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/cardiff-metropolitan-university-censorship-gender-neutral-language-policy_uk_58b92d42e4b0b998941680fd

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