ACADEMICS have issued a strongly-worded attack on disciplinary procedures operated by Glasgow University in the wake of a row over student sexism.
The university branch of the UCU lecturers' union has also passed a motion calling for the institution to eliminate misogyny from the campus.
Last week, two Glasgow University students were cleared of accusations they subjected women debaters to boorish abuse.
The men were told after a closed-doors hearing by the university Senate there was no case to answer.
Former student president Chris Sibbald and politics student Paddy Baxter had denied allegations of sexist heckling at the Glasgow University Union (GUU) annual Glasgow Ancients debating contest in March.
Subsequently, the two female debaters at the centre of the row, Cambridge politics student Rebecca Meredith, from Kilmacolm, Inverclyde, and Edinburgh law undergraduate Marlena Valles, lodged a new complaint about the hearing itself, arguing it was unfair.
The UCU motion, backed unanimously at a meeting yesterday, stated: "UCU deplores the events in GUU - and believes there is a sexist culture which has been allowed to persist for over 30 years.
"While we recognise due process, we are deeply concerned inequalities are persistent and have resulted in a highly unfortunate outcome which reflect negatively on the university, as well undermining equality principles."
The motion calls on the university management to "address the student disciplinary processes to ensure they are fit for purpose" as well as addressing "wider issues" to "eliminate misogyny from our campus".
Dave Anderson, the president of the Glasgow branch of the UCU, said there was widespread concern over the handling of the issue at the meeting. "There was clear disappointment at the meeting that the university could be doing more to tackle sexism," he said.
"We need a full review of student groups who are supported financially by the university to ensure they don't discriminate against anyone."
Meanwhile, Gavin Tulloch, the president of the GUU, said an independent investigation of the culture at the union was being set up – which will be chaired by three experts, including Glasgow SNP MSP Sandra White and Noreen Bur-rows, Emeritus Professor of European Law at Glasgow University.
"We are currently finalising the panel members and terms of reference for our independent review, details of which will be announced soon," he said.
A spokesman for Glasgow University said: "Procedures under the University Code of Student Conduct are confidential and as such we are unable to disclose the outcome of any hearing.
"The evidence was taken in accordance with our established rules and all witnesses were afforded the same opportunity to submit statements to the hearing in advance."
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