Warwick students expelled and fined after racist messages

Three students have been expelled and others fined over messages in a Facebook group chat that encouraged sexual assault.

The University of Warwick opened an investigation into the activities of 11 men in April after they received complaints about a group chat.

Members of the group had posted messages including “What do we do with girls? RAAAAAAAAAPE” and “love Hitler, hate n**** and jews and Corbyn”.

In total, 11 men were suspended throughout the investigation, and of those, the university said three have been required to leave with immediate effect.

One has been banned from campus for life, and the other two, for 10 years each.

Another two students have been told to withdraw for a year, and have been fined.

Three others were given fines and “a range of other disciplinary penalties” while two had the case against them dropped at an early stage, the university confirmed.

There was “no case against” the final student.

A statement issued by the University said: “The allegations were extremely serious and concerned matters that have been found to be a significant breach of the University’s Dignity at Warwick Policy which states: ‘We are committed to ensuring a working and learning environment in which all University members (staff and students) are treated fairly and with dignity and respect, and where bullying and harassment are not tolerated’.

“The complaints were received on 25 April. An investigating officer was appointed within 24 hours of receipt those complaints and a formal investigation commenced immediately thereafter.

“The investigation has now concluded, as have the University’s disciplinary processes. This included the convening of a Major Disciplinary Committee made up of both staff and students.”

The accused students can still appeal the decision.

:: Warwick University suspends students over rape jokes sent on group chats

In a statement, the university’s students’ union said: “We are satisfied that the disciplinary process relating to the recent group chat has concluded and are encouraged that the university has deployed a range of outcomes, including expulsion, reflecting the severity of this case.

“Sexism, racism and oppression of any kind have no place within our community. The SU has a zero-tolerance approach to this, and we were shocked by the content of this group chat.

“Ensuring that our community is as safe and inclusive as possible is a priority of the SU. However, while this must mean disciplinary action where appropriate and necessary, it must also mean fostering a proactive culture where every single one of us challenges harmful behaviour wherever it manifests.

“The SU will continue to work with students and the university through initiatives such as our #WeGetConsent campaign in order to achieve this.”

(c) Sky News 2018: Warwick students expelled and fined after racist messages