Both of Dundee’s universities have been awarded ‘amber’ rankings in a UK-wide survey on free speech.
An amber warning means the institutions were judged to “chill free speech and free expression by issuing guidance with regard to appropriate speech and conduct”.
Academic institutions in the UK were awarded a green, amber or red light depending on how they are deemed to deal with issues of free speech.
Dundee University as a whole was given an amber warning, while its students’ union was given a green light.
Abertay University was given a green light but its student union was given a red light (amber overall) and cited as banning, among other things, the Sun newspaper.
The ranking system, Free Speech University Rankings, was devised by an online magazine to deliver the “first, detailed insight into the state of free speech, debate and expression in the British academy”.
However, both universities have warned against the findings.
A spokesman for Dundee University said: “The university has a commitment to provide a safe place to work and study as well as a duty to, and fundamental belief in, academic freedom and freedoms of speech.
“The policy cited in this report is there to protect the rights of staff and ensure they are not subjected to bullying or harassment, which are unacceptable.”
A spokesman for Abertay University said: “This survey should be read with caution, since in Abertay’s case there are major inaccuracies.
“It is correct that the university has no policies restricting freedom of speech, but it is wrong to state that the students’ association has a ‘no platform’ policy.
“Such a policy was proposed at the student representative council two years ago but the proposal was defeated in a democratic vote and has never been part of the students’ association’s constitution.”
Abertay Students’ Association president Billy Yuksel said: “All Abertay SA policies, passed motions and constitutional information is regularly updated and can be found freely on its website.
“As such, Abertay SA is disappointed in the inaccuracy of the reporting on this matter and it must raise questions over the credibility of ratings of fellow student associations and unions.
“It should also be noted that Abertay SA does not run any commercial ventures and as such has no policy over stocking of the Sun newspaper or indeed any retail items.”
The full survey is available at www.spiked-online.com/free-speech-university-rankings.