Rector says Glasgow student who was banned from campus after protest should be allowed back

A University of Glasgow student has been banned from campus after an anti-arms investment protest, sparking debate over its impact on student activism and education.

Hannah Taylor, 24, was among two activists who sprayed red paint on the James McCune Smith Learning Hub last month using a fire extinguisher, before gluing themselves to the building.

However, now she claims she has been banned from attending lectures and tutorials for her Master’s degree in mathematics and has criticised university officials for “ignoring student voices”.

Protest and disciplinary action

After Hannah and her counterpart’s protest, both were arrested, although no convictions have been made as court proceedings are ongoing. The protest was organised by Youth Demand, a group advocating for universities to divest from arms companies.

Hannah was among two activists who sprayed red paint on the James McCune Smith Learning Hub last month using a fire extinguisher, before gluing themselves to the building. Both were arrested, although no convictions have been made as court proceedings are ongoing. The protest was organised by Youth Demand, a group advocating for universities to divest from arms companies.

The protest followed the university’s refusal to prohibit its endowment fund managers from investing in companies that earn more than 10 per cent of its income from arms manufacturing. Youth Demand claims that the university holds an alleged £6.8 million in shares with arms companies such as BAE Systems and QinetiQ and has received approximately £600,000 in research funding from BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce since 2017.

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QinetiQ, a supplier of military robotics, has faced been accused by critics of involvement in  the British Army’s Watchkeeper Programme, which they claim has tested drones on Palestinian civilians in Gaza.

While the legal proceedings are ongoing, the university has maintained the ban as a precautionary measure. Hannah has been informed that while she will likely be allowed on campus for exams, she is otherwise prohibited from attending in-person teaching. She has expressed concerns about how this will affect her studies, as the ban may remain in place for months while legal proceedings continue.

Student and institutional responses

Speaking to The National, Hannah said: “I’m disappointed and angry but I’m not surprised. The university has consistently taken quite a draconian stance against student protests, even when they are peaceful and legitimate. They’ve been completely ignoring student voices.”

She pointed to a recent university survey in which 80 per cent of student and staff respondents supported divestment from companies profiting from arms manufacturing.

Hannah criticised the university’s response: “They sent an email out afterwards saying despite this overwhelming majority disagreeing with it, they are going to continue investing in arms. Basically saying they don’t care what we think.”

She added: “I felt compelled [to act] because they weren’t listening to us when we went through their channels. I didn’t want to block anyone from entering buildings or attending lectures—I just wanted to make it clear to management that ignoring us isn’t acceptable.”

Rector calls for ban to be reversed

The University of Glasgow’s rector, Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah, has now called for Hannah’s ban to be lifted, criticising what he described as an “authoritarian” response to student activism.

He told The Herald: “On 6th February, Hannah Taylor and another student sprayed Glasgow University with water-soluble paint to protest the University’s refusal to divest from the arms trade – where the institution holds £6.8m worth of shares.

“Since then, Hannah has been banned from campus, denying her access to her lectures, tutorials and possibly her exams.

“This disproportionate and authoritarian response is in keeping with a concerted effort to crack down on student activism for Palestine on campuses around the globe. From Glasgow to New York, university leaders have bowed to government pressure, seeking to make examples of those students who dare to expose their complicity in genocide.”

The university has not responded to these accusations.

Dr Abu-Sittah also accused the university of failing to uphold its own values, adding: “Glasgow University’s motto is ‘Via, Veritas, Vita’ (the way, the truth, the life). Now this liberal facade has fallen. Today, Glasgow’s students are punished, threatened, and intimidated for exposing the truth of their institution’s role in facilitating imperialism’s crimes.

“But the students will not be deterred. Not in Glasgow. Not anywhere. Glasgow University must immediately lift the ban on Hannah Taylor.”

Mixed student reactions

The ban has drawn mixed reactions from students. One student, who asked to remain anonymous, said to The Glasgow Tab: “While I don’t necessarily agree with the protest methods, I do think banning someone from campus before a conviction sets a dangerous precedent.”

Another student, James McAllister, a fourth year politics student, added: “The university has every right to take disciplinary action when property is damaged, but this should be balanced with a commitment to student engagement.”

Some students have voiced concerns that the ban could have long-term implications for student activism on campus, with fears that it may deter others from protesting controversial university policies.

University response

In an email seen by The National, Hannah was informed that failure to adhere to the ban would constitute a breach of the student code of conduct and be “treated accordingly.”

The restriction is described as a “precautionary measure” and will be reviewed on a monthly basis. Hannah was not granted an in-person hearing nor allowed to appeal the decision.

When asked for comment on the matter, the University of Glasgow did not make any direct mention of Taylor, her ban, or the rector’s statement. Instead, a spokesperson said: “The University of Glasgow upholds the right to freedom of expression, including the right of staff and students to engage in peaceful demonstrations.

However, we do not tolerate unlawful activities which interfere with the rights of others to go about their business in peace.

“As an institution, we stand against hate or harassment of any kind. We regularly communicate with all our staff and students about the need for tolerance towards each other, and we reiterate this call for all members of our community to be respectful to each other at all times.”

The university’s investments in arms companies, including BAE Systems and QinetiQ, remain a point of contention among students, and further protests against these links are expected.

Featured image via Youth Demand