News from campuses around the country
LSE Rugby Team disbanded
London School of Economics has disbanded its men’s rugby club after a leaflet it distributed ‘brought shame’ on the University. The Freshers’ week leaflet referred to women who play sport as ‘beast-like’ and banned ‘homosexual debauchery’. The team has been withdrawn from all competitions this academic year, as their Students’ Union feels their actions didn’t suit their philisophy of tolerance.
Jake Hookem
Huddersfield Uni Guilty of Tax Avoidance
The University of Huddersfield has been found guilty of ‘abusive tax avoidance’. A tax tribunal ruled that they unlawfully claimed back £612,000 in VAT, masked by a complex leasing scheme. The claim dates back to the construction of the University’s School of Computing and Engineering in 1996. The University does have the option of appealing against the ruling, and is currently considering its options.
Greg Whitaker
Loughborough Security Staff use Carry Breathalysers
Security staff may soon carry breathalysers as standard in Loughborough. 5 nightclubs in the city are part of a pilot scheme under which security staff can breathalyse potential customers and refuse entry those they believe have consumed too much alcohol. Loughborough University’s Students’ Union is included in this scheme, which may result in a clamp down on pre-drinking before nights out.
Danny Anderson
Leeds Beckett and York St. John’s Vice Chancellor’s Set to Retire
The Vice-Chancellors of two Yorkshire based universities have both set a retirement date of next September. Susan Price, who was appointed at the newly named Leeds Beckett in 2010, said it has been ‘an honour and a privilege to lead the university through such an exciting chapter.’ Meanwhile, York St John’s David Fleming admitted his decision was made due to recent ill health.
Greg Whitaker
‘Bellogate’ prank spams UCL emails
An apparent email gaffe by UCL provost and former University of Leeds Vice Chancellor Michael Arthur resulted in a mysterious email containing only the word ‘bello’ was sent out to all 26,000 UCL students. (Read more here)
Sean Hayes