17 Jun 08

The University of Oxford, noting Motion 25 of 28 May 2008 by the University and College Union (UCU) regarding Israel, strongly reaffirms its existing policy of maintaining open communications and professional links with universities everywhere in order best to support the upholding of the principle of academic freedom.

The University, as a member of the Russell Group, also notes and supports the statement issued by the Chairman of the Group, Professor Malcolm Grant, on 28 May 2008:

“We reject this resolution. Knowing that an explicit call for an academic boycott would be unlawful, the UCU Conference has adopted a device which seeks the same end, but implicitly. The change in wording this year dispels none of our fundamental objections to any academic boycott. The internationally-acknowledged strength of British universities is founded squarely on our tradition of open and free inquiry and freedom of speech. It is particularly disturbing and frustrating to find an academic union persisting in seeking to undermine this quality rather than upholding it. The Russell Group universities will continue to uphold academic freedom and to stand firm against any union action that threatens it.”