Students under suspicion
University students could be the next group of individuals targeted in the government's attempts to tackle terrorism. The recent bombings in London have prompted the Foreign Office to set up a vetting scheme whereby universities can submit details of students who they feel may pose a threat to national security.
The move comes after vice-chancellors were urged to play their part in helping to root out the 'evil ideology' Tony Blair believes was behind the 7th July attacks on the capital.
Data released under the Freedom of Information Act has shown that, since 2001, over 2,000 university applicants had their details passed on to security officials, leading to over 200 of those being refused entry on to university courses. Programmes under scrutiny include biotechnology and nuclear physics, subjects that could potentially lead to students gaining places on nuclear weapons programmes.
A further attempt at rooting out extremism on campuses focuses on freedom of speech as a potential catalyst. The higher education minister, Bill Rammell, has told vice-chancellors that whilst it is important to encourage healthy debate amongst students, "we also have a responsibility to tackle extremism on campus". He added that although people were entitled to express their views and opinions, some views, particularly those justifying terrorism, "needed to be questioned".
Pav Akhtar, an official for NUS, echoed Mr Rammell's statement, highlighting their efforts in combating extremism in any instance, including issues concerning animal rights, homophobia and racism.
Terrorism is not the only area students are being investigated under on campuses across the UK, as universities also announced that they are seeking powers to issue unruly and disruptive students with Antisocial Behaviour Orders (Asbos). The law firm Eversheds confirmed that they were seeing an increasing number of requests from universities wanting advice on dealing with general antisocial behaviour amongst some of their students, although this appears to be limited to housing and accommodation issues.
Under current rules, only the police and local councils have the right to issue Asbos, although universities can apply for an injunction against a student it feels is a particular threat to the well being of others, but this is a lengthy and sometimes costly process.
In the light of the potential threat from extremists and in the overall climate of fear, it would appear that students across the UK are under a form of extreme suspicion by university officials.
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