The University of Sussex has been penalized with a fine of £585,000 by the higher education regulatory body, the Office for Students (OfS), due to its failure to maintain freedom of speech.

This concerns Professor Kathleen Stock, who departed from the university in 2021 following accusations of transphobia due to her stance on matters related to sexuality and gender.

The Office for Students criticized the university's stance on Trans and Non-Binary equity, stating that the obligation to "actively portray transgender individuals" along with the claim that "transphobic propaganda will not be allowed" might cause faculty and students to engage in self-censorship.

The University of Sussex characterized the judgment as an "excessively absolute interpretation of free speech."

It warned that the ruling left institutions facing "opposing and irreconcilable duties" which rendered them "powerless to prevent abusive, bullying and harassing speech".

The OfS, it noted, had initiated a "harsh and unfounded campaign" against it.

The Office for Students was granted the authority in January to impose penalties when freedom of speech was not protected at an institution of higher learning.

Arif Ahmed, who serves as the OfS director for freedom of speech and academic freedom, stated that the choice to penalize the university was made after an extensive inquiry.

He stated that the investigation revealed employees were apprehensive about facing disciplinary measures. Consequently, Professor Stock modified the approach she used in teaching her course.

Mr Ahmed further stated that the OfS was "alarmed that a chilling effect might have led numerous additional students and faculty members at the institution to refrain from expressing their opinions."

The regulatory body examined the Trans and Non-Binary Equality Policy Statement released by the University of Sussex with consideration for both the institution’s obligations regarding free expression and their compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights.

In their report, the OfS identified four aspects of the policy as "cause for concern."

This encompassed a necessity for educational resources to "actively depict transgender individuals and their experiences," along with a declaration that "[any form of] transphobic propaganda... would not be accepted."

A different aspect of the regulation emphasized that engaging in "transphobic abuse" would constitute a significant disciplinary violation for both employees and students.

It likewise examined the university’s management and governance concerning freedom of speech.

Professor Stock encountered demonstrations at the university campus following the release of her book, which challenged the notion that gender identity holds greater social importance compared to biological sex.

Banners were displayed around the campus urging for her dismissal, and students arrived with signs during an open day event.

Professor Stock dismissed claims of being transphobic and told Sport.Bangjo.co.id that the whole situation felt like "a surreal anxiety dream."

In 2021, she stepped down from her position at the university and received an OBE for her contributions to education.

This penalty represents the highest ever imposed on a university and is expected to be viewed as a commitment to uphold the expression of lawful opinions.

The University of Sussex issued a robust statement asserting that the regulatory body was intent on setting a precedent with their case and "promoting an extreme libertarian stance on free speech."

There was reportedly no "significant interaction" beyond written communications, and the organization alleged that the regulatory body was conducting a "malicious and unfounded crusade."

According to the university, the policy under scrutiny was based on a template and has since undergone modifications.

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