Management

UCL adopts harm reduction drug policy in ‘real win for student wellbeing’

News /

The new harm reduction policy marks a departure from the zero-tolerance approach, which activists say “only only promotes stigmatisation and punishment” Malvika Murkumbi Investigations Editor Stoner circle (Credit: Mat Wright via UCL Imagestore) UCL has adopted a harm reduction approach to student drug use, Student Support and Wellbeing Services announced last week. The change took […]

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Quad Closure: UCL to evict Art Museum following hasty consultation

Investigations /

The UCL Art Museum is being ‘evicted’ by the University in a ‘hugely sensitive and problematic’ move that has angered students, academics, and museum staff alike Nick Miao Editor-in-Chief Farewell: The Art Museum will soon be converted into a generic multipurpose room under current plans.(Credit: UCL Media Services via Imagestore) The UCL Art Museum has

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Cut ties and divest from genocide, careers fair protesters tell UCL

News /

Pro-Palestine activists have in recent weeks carried out disruptions at UCL careers fairs to highlight the University’s ties to companies complicit in genocide. Rhi Skelhorn Student protesters from Action for Palestine took over the BNY Mellon stall at last Wednesday’s careers fair in the Wilkins Building, displaying banners that read ‘Bankrolling genocide’ and ‘Fossil free

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What is it with the Provost and ‘Disagreeing Well’?

Voices /

If you are new to UCL, you will probably notice very soon that the Provost has a particular obsession with ‘free speech’ and a little something called ‘Disagreeing Well’. Andrea Bidnic Investigations Editor After three years in office, the President and Provost Michael Spence’s record on free speech is convoluted on paper and contradictory in

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No free speech for UCL’s outsourced workforce

Investigations /

Despite his repeated claims that the ‘right to protest, debate, and challenging ideas is fundamental to our role as a university’, the President and Provost Michael Spence appears to have no interest in extending the freedom of speech to UCL’s over 200 outsourced security workers. Malvika Murkumbi Investigations Editor While the Provost has begrudgingly agreed

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On the Provost’s Update

Voices /

Dayan Mustafa In his attempt to say nothing at all (nothing political, that is) Dr Michael Spence, the UCL Provost, has revealed more than he might have wished about his inclinations––and by extension, those of the neoliberal business who embody the University’s higher management.  Many of you will have already read Dr Spence’s latest update:

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Race To The Bottom: UCL’s Commercialisation Comes At A Cost

Investigations /

British universities are in the midst of a transformation. Higher education institutions are competing, like enterprises in consumer markets, to maintain and increase their positions in world rankings. At UCL, misguided policy encouraging endless expansion prioritises reputation over quality of education. This commercialised mindset perpetuates a cycle of expansion that, if not controlled, can jeopardize

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disabled students' network

Open Letter From the Disabled Students’ Network

Investigations /

Dear Provost, Six weeks ago the UCL Disabled Students’ Network released a report based on the testimonies of 33 disabled students. This report described patterns of disability discrimination at UCL and the institutional failings that caused them. When we released the report it received praise from students, staff and experts, as well as significant media attention. Upon

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The search for the next Provost begins

Humour /

Michael Arthur will be stepping down as Provost at the end of September 2020, and the search is on for his successor. The Cheese Grater reviews the candidates. Michael Arrr-thur Strengths: plundering experience (valuable fundraising skills) Weaknesses: has scurvy Lil Provost Strengths: 250,000 followers on Soundcloud Weaknesses: literally everything else Arthur Michael (1853–1942) Strengths: American

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Seven Things We Learned from UCL Spin Doctor’s Crazy Rant That Got Him Fired

Investigations /

In a bitter twist to the short reign of Charles Hymas (he was hired last April), UCL’s now former Head of Media Relations leaves the university in a blaze of terrible PR. On Valentines Day, Hymas sent an email to all staff in the Communications Department detailing the infamous town hall set-up by academics that

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Logo of UCL Fossil Free

Jurassic Arth: Dinosaur Provost backpedals on fossil fuel divestment

Investigations /

With the Fossil Free UCL divestment campaign seemingly gaining momentum, Provost Michael Arthur and co. are deliberately dragging their feet. Despite promises to Fossil Free UCL that UCL council would “give its Investment Committee an explicit remit to monitor its approach to responsible investment”, comments made by Arthur at the Academic Board meeting on 25th

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NSS: No Student Say

Investigations /

In the face of a national campaign encouraging students to boycott the National Student Survey (NSS), which measures the student satisfaction of a university, UCL has pulled back on promoting its completion. In previous years, senior management has heavily incentivised the NSS through prize draws, extensive advertising and financial bonuses for high-performing departments. However, this

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Spotlight on… Rex Knight

Investigations /

Who exactly is the man that students love to hate? Among left-wing and activist circles at UCL, no name inspires quite as much derision – and venom – as Rex Knight, College’s Vice Provost for Operations. A hangover from the trigger-happy ancien régime of ex-Provost Malcolm Grant, and said by critics to have an unsettling

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The Provost’s Dream Diary

Humour /

January 5th: dreamt that a swiss old cruel man with tiny cloth eyes sold me a whistle I played the whistle and hannah sketchley became unhappy 6/10 January 7th: dreamt that I was back in leeds northern hands grasping at me northern fingers pulling at my shirtsleeves northern fingernails digging into my delicate skin 2/10 January 11th: dreamt

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New Provost Michael Arthur

Hey, Big Spender!: new provost’s expensive tastes

Investigations /

The incoming UCL Provost has expensive tastes. In the last six years, Professor Michael Arthur, who will replace Professor Malcolm Grant in September, has charged the University of Leeds, where he is currently Vice Chancellor, over £70,000 in accommodation, entertainment and other expenses. Professor Arthur has been staying in some of the world’s most expensive

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