Summarised by Centrist
A recent survey at Massey University has raised alarms about a perceived lack of free speech among staff. The university’s internal staff engagement survey revealed only 5% of academics feel there is open, two-way communication at the institution, and 66% disagree entirely.
Jonathan Ayling from the Free Speech Union says free speech in universities is being stifled. He warned that such restrictions could undermine the role that universities play in society in fostering debate and in attracting international students.
Ayling said that staff fear expressing opinions that challenge the status quo, with concerns about reprisal. He argues that universities are increasingly becoming “centres of indoctrination, not education,” and cites Massey’s controversial decision in 2018 to block Don Brash from speaking.
In contrast, Ayling argued that Otago University under Vice Chancellor Grant Robertson has written the “gold standard” of university free speech policy in the country.
Robertson’s appointment to the role had been controversial. However, according to Ayling: “No other university has come close, and as far as I’ve been told, Grant Robertson had a hand in that.”
In this instance, Ayling remarked that Robertson proved to be a “pragmatic politician who saw a need for universities to be offering services that benefit their community and not sitting in an ivory tower pontificating.”
