Glasgow University COO warns student of suspension following pro-Palestine demonstration

A University of Glasgow student has been warned of potential suspension of studies after participating in a Palestine solidarity demonstration on campus.

On 19 December 2024, Chief Operating Officer (COO) David Duncan sent an email to the student following a demonstration organised by Glasgow University Against Arms & Fossil Fuels (GAAFF) and Glasgow University Justice for Palestine Society (GUJPS) on 27th November. The protest, which took place outside the Rankine Building, involved blocking entrances in opposition to the University’s financial links with the arms industries.

In his email, Mr Duncan stated that while the University “upholds the right of colleagues and students to take part in peaceful demonstrations,” disruptive action was in breach of the institution’s Expected Behaviour Policy, section 37.6. He cited the policy’s statement that “members of the University community do not have the right to disrupt the activities of others or to prevent them going about their business.” Mr Duncan warned that any repeat of such action would result in “formal action under the Student Code of Conduct,” which could include suspension of studies.

However, questions have been raised over whether the university’s policies explicitly support such disciplinary action. Annex C of the Non-Academic Misconduct section 37.7.2 of the Student Contract does not list suspension of studies as a consequence for “disruption of University activities.” Additionally, the Expected Behaviour Policy states that suspensions from campus are typically reserved for cases of violent behaviour.

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The protest targeted the university’s investments in arms companies, with student activists pointing to financial ties with Leonardo, Thales, BAE Systems, and QinetiQ. Publicly available financial reports indicate that, in 2023, the University invested £51,635.40 in Leonardo SPA, £45,769.17 in Thales, £1,498,985.84 in BAE Systems, and £884,062.71 in the QinetiQ Group, totalling approximately £2.48 million. These companies have been linked to arms supplies to Israel.

This is not the first time Mr Duncan has warned a student about possible sanctions for protest participation. In October, another student received a similar email after taking part in a demonstration at the STEM Careers Fair, where students protested the presence of BAE Systems, the Royal Air Force (RAF), and CGI Group. Once again, the specific policy breaches leading to these warnings remain unclear.

In response to inquiries from The Glasgow Guardian, Mr Duncan issued a statement reaffirming: “The University supports the right to freedom of expression and peaceful demonstration, but it will not tolerate activities which deliberately prevent other members of our community from going about their business in peace.

“Participation in disruptive activities such as blocking access to buildings could result in action under the student code of conduct and could lead to sanction, up to and including suspension of studies.”

Following further requests for clarification, Mr Duncan published an article in Wonkhe titled “UK universities and the war in Gaza”, in which he reflected on campus protests and the role of university management. He acknowledged the “considerable pressure” placed on administrators by recent demonstrations and noted that concerns from students and staff were “justified.” However, he argued that institutions must ensure “Jewish and Muslim students and staff always felt welcome and safe on campus.”

Mr Duncan also reiterated the University’s stance on divestment, stating that “a majority agreed with senior managers that it was morally right for the UK to have a defence sector and that this should be distinguished both from the conflict in the Middle East and from the question of which countries the UK sold arms to.”

The student who received the disciplinary warning, who has chosen to remain anonymous, described the email as “stressful” and accused the University of responding to “student frustrations with further oppression.” They argued that divestment remains “the only acceptable response” and criticised senior management for failing to take “concrete steps to dismantle their financial and ideological complicity in the Israeli apartheid state.”

The student also dismissed characterisations of the protests as simply “tired, angry, and reactionary,” stating, “When we say we will not stop, we will not rest, we mean it.”

A spokesperson for the University of Glasgow said: “We have advised students both collectively and, in some instances, individually, on this issue.  The University supports the right to peaceful demonstration but we will not tolerate activities which deliberately prevent other members of our community from going about their business in peace.

“Participation in disruptive activities such as blocking access to buildings could result in action under the student code of conduct and could lead to sanction, up to and including suspension of studies.”

Featured image via Pixabay