A philosophy student heard through his bedroom wall saying “veganism is wrong” and “gender fluidity is stupid” and was threatened with expulsion by his university, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.
Robert Ivinson said he was disciplined after a student in the hall of residence next door at the University of Exeter heard the comments and later complained that it had been offensive and “transphobic”.
Mr. Ivinson, who expressed his views in a phone call to a friend, was taken before university officials and placed on a “conduct contract” for the remainder of his studies.
They warned him that he could be expelled if the university thought he had done something wrong and told him in a letter that he had been found guilty of harassment.
Last night, critics condemned Ivinson’s punishment as an example of the “insidious erosion” of free speech in UK academic institutions.
Robert Ivinson, who expressed his views in a phone call to a friend, was brought before university officials and placed on a “behavioral contract” for the remainder of his studies.
Last night, critics condemned the University of Exeter’s punishment of Ivinson (pictured) as an example of the “insidious erosion” of free speech in UK academic institutions.
Ivinson said he was disciplined after a student in the hall of residence next door at the University of Exeter (pictured) heard the comments and later complained that it had been offensive and “transphobic”.
Edward Skidelsky, director of the Committee for Academic Freedom, academics who fight to maintain free expression on campuses, said: “It is extraordinary that in 21st century Britain you can reward spies and punish a student for comments made to a friend in the privacy of their room.
“Robert’s case highlights once again the insidious erosion of the freedom to express opinions and ideas that is occurring in our universities.”
At the time of the complaint, Mr. Ivinson, who had just begun his first year studying philosophy, was alone with the door closed.
Ivinson, who is 6 feet 5 inches tall and has a deep intonation, said his voice often came out without him realizing it.
When a college patrol officer knocked on his door to tell him that his neighbor had complained, the older student shuddered.
“It was like the Stasi had knocked on my door,” he said. “He stuck his foot in my door and said you had been saying very offensive things.”
Ivinson was summoned to a disciplinary hearing and questioned by university officials.
At the time of the complaint, Mr Ivinson, who had just started his first year studying philosophy, was alone with the door closed (file image from the University of Exeter campus).
Ivinson said he made comments about gender fluidity and veganism, but maintains that other statements he allegedly made were misheard, such as that President Assad of Syria (pictured) was “a good guy.”
He told The Mail on Sunday: ‘The first thing they read was that I had said veganism is wrong. I could not believe it; I thought I was hearing them wrong. I asked them to repeat it three or four times because I didn’t think I was sitting there saying veganism is wrong.’
He says he made comments about gender fluidity and veganism, but maintains that other statements he allegedly made were misheard, such as that President Assad of Syria was “a good guy.” He says he claimed the dictator “wasn’t a good guy.”
He also denies saying that “people shouldn’t flaunt their sexuality in a gay bar.”
He insists he said that while he was uncomfortable with public displays of affection (gay or straight), he had no problem if gay people wanted to demonstrate their sexuality in bars or clubs.
He says he apologized to officials for the disturbance, but maintained his right to speak freely in his own room. “I was in complete privacy, other than someone hearing me through a brick wall.”
Ivinson attempted to challenge the decision by Exeter, a member of the prestigious Russell Group of top universities, but says she was rejected.
He later suffered from depression; The incident occurred at the same time as a family bereavement and she delayed her studies.
Ivinson, now studying a master’s degree in philosophy at Exeter, said she felt unable to speak about her ordeal, which occurred in 2018, for fear of repercussions.
But after gaining support from the newly created Committee for Academic Freedom and Mr. Skidelsky, who is also a philosophy professor at the University of Exeter, he found the courage to do it.
Mr Ivinson said: “It pains me that in this country freedom of speech can mean so little now.” “It is shocking that a Russell Group university can act in this way.”
The University of Exeter was contacted for comment but did not respond.
For more on this story, listen to the Committee on Academic Freedom podcast with Mr. Skidelsky on his website.