Warwick University reveals results of investigation after ‘Nazi song’ played at society event

Three students were investigated by the University of Warwick after a video emerged of students singing a Nazi marching song.

Footage of the event held by Warwick Conservative Association (UWCA) was shared online in June and was described as “extremely troubling” by the university.

Following the investigation, one student was banned from University of Warwick campus, whilst another is yet to receive a disciplinary hearing, The Boar reports. 

Details of an investigation by the University of Warwick have been released three months after footage of the incident was shared on June 30th. In the video leaked by The Sunday Times, members of the society were seen to be dancing and singing to Erika, a marching song affiliated with Nazi Germany.

Following the three month investigation launched by the university, sanctions were implemented for one student and a disciplinary hearing has been scheduled for another. There was also a ban placed on the society whilst the investigation took place.

The society since issued a statement of apology, where it said it “wholeheartedly condemns the behaviour exhibited during this video and apologises for any offence that has been caused”.

It added that most students in the video “were completely unaware of the origins and connotations of the song”, but that the individual who asked for the song to be played would no longer be welcome at its events.

The student known to have requested the song received an immediate ban from campus. As they were a third year, they were not allowed to return for their graduation.

A second student who was investigated by the university faced no sanctions. According to the University of Warwick, the student was said to have taken action at the time to have the song stopped.

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The final student being investigated will reportedly have a disciplinary hearing in autumn.

In the statement of apology at the time, Warwick Conservative Association explained that the person heard “actively singing lyrics” was not a member of the Conservative Association but “has been barred from future events along with others”.

Rejecting allegations of being a “toxic society” that “normalises racism”, the statement from the Conservative Association said its members have “consistently campaigned against antisemitism on campus, including campaigning to disaffiliate Warwick Student’s Union from the National Union of Students over its failure to deal with antisemitism”.

It added: “Our members have also worked hard to ensure the Students Union commemorates Holocaust Memorial Day in a fitting way.

“We are proud of these efforts and will continue to stand against discrimination.”

The University of Warwick issued the following statement with regards to the investigation and following sanctions: ”In line with university policy, we conducted an investigation into the incident and have now concluded it. Our investigations focused on three students.

“The student who requested the song in the first instance was immediately banned from campus. That student has now graduated from the university but was not permitted back on campus for their graduation ceremony.

“The second student will have no further action taken against them, as it was found they had taken the appropriate action at the time in trying to have the song stopped.

“With regards to the final student, they will attend a disciplinary hearing in the autumn, following our investigation, we will also be making strong training recommendations to all societies through the Students’ Union.”

A spokesperson for Warwick Students’ Union said: “Following the findings of the investigation, the Union convened a Complaints Panel, took on board the impact on the wider student membership and other societies.

“It went further than the recommended actions, imposing sanctions that we believe will educate, and eradicate a culture where such an incident went unchallenged on the night.

“The SU does not condone any form of discrimination and stands for inclusion and community. The findings in the report do not reflect these values and we strongly condemn any racist and antisemitic actions and behaviour.”

Warwick Conservative Association was contacted for comment. 

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