Friday 03-02-2017 - 17:41

Fellow students,

Alarming stories have emerged this week of two separate racist incidents involving Lancaster students.

We want to be totally clear - if you're the sort of person who targets others for abuse or violence based on their race or any other aspect of their identity, your views are not welcome here.

The Students' Union is dedicated to fostering a community on campus, and in the city, that everyone can be a part of and to that end we’re ready to stand up to oppression and hate crime in all its forms.

We’re shocked and saddened to learn that two students have reported incidents this week – one pelted with rubbish while working in the library, another assaulted in a city-centre street. Both of these incidents are currently being fully investigated and thankfully incidents like this are relatively unusual - we are on the whole a wonderfully inclusive community.

That said, the things that have happened this week mean we all need to remember to look out for each other. Don’t be afraid to challenge abuse where you see it and we commend those who do. The cowardly bullies who commit such acts need to understand that there’s no place for hatred anywhere. We’d welcome all students who share our values to show you support by sharing this letter on your social media pages. We are also working with the University on ‘We Are Lancaster’, a project to celebrate and enhance the global outlook of community.

But, if you are the one of the minority who feel it’s OK to act on your prejudices, we’ve got a message for you: you’re dead wrong. As a student community we’re not putting up with it – in our Union, our colleges, campus and city communities.

If you have experienced or witnessed hate or abuse based on race or any other characteristic, there are several ways of reporting it. Incidents can be reported via the iLancaster Unisafe facility, or other useful contacts are listed on the university website. In an emergency always call 999.

Lancaster University Full-Time Officer Team
College Presidents

Part Time Officers