Ombudsman recommends the university apologise to students and pay them compensation after they were suspended for their role in a protest

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

The University of Sussex says it will offer a written apology to four student protesters and provide them with financial compensation, after it controversially suspended them for their participation in a protest.

The incident, looked into by the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (OIA), an independent body set up to deal with student complaints, was widely criticised when the four students were suspended in December 2013.

The suspensions led to widespread anger among students and the public, many of whom felt the university’s decision was disproportionate, with some saying it threatened the students’ right to protest.

The OIA has recommended that the university apologise to the students involved and that it pays each between £2,000-£2,500 in compensation. It also says that the university must offer greater clarity in regards to the process for student disciplinary matters.

Five students at Sussex Uni banned from campus for 'peaceful protest' Read more

Michael Segalov, one of the students who was suspended and currently an officer at Sussex student union, says: “After months of fighting and distress, I’m relieved and elated [...] that the OIA has recognised that we were treated unfairly.”

Simon Natas, of ITN Solicitors, who is representing the students, says: “This should be seen as a vindication for my clients and an indictment of the manner in which they were treated.”

A freedom of information request filed by students in Sussex reveals that the university has spent £55,000 on legal fees relating to the disciplinary hearing.

The students, known along with one other suspended student as the Sussex five, were suspended in December 2013 after taking part in a protest against the privatisation of university services. At the time, they accused university management of being “draconian” and of singling out students who played an active role in a wider protest movement at the university.

The decision sparked further protests, and criticism from MPs. Celebrity Cara Delevingne also tweeted in support of the students.



Cara Delevingne tweeted support for students who were suspended in Sussex.

An online petition gained over 10,000 signatories and over 200 members of academic staff wrote to Vice Chancellor Michael Farthing describing the action as disproportionate, an overreaction to student activism and a threat to the right to protest.

A spokesman for the University of Sussex says: “We note the OIA’s findings that there needs to be greater clarity and transparency of information in regards to the process for student disciplinary matters.

“We have established an independent working group to review and make recommendations on this matter. We anticipate putting these into effect through revised university regulations and will inform all relevant parties. Alongside this, the OIA’s case recommendations will be implemented.”

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