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27 March 2006
Ellis faces disciplinary charges The University of Leeds has today begun disciplinary proceedings against Dr Frank Ellis, a lecturer in Russian and Slavonic Studies.
The details of the disciplinary process must remain a private matter between the University, as employer, and Dr Ellis, as employee. But I can confirm that we are looking into three issues.
The first is that, in publicising his personal views on race and other matters, Dr Ellis has acted in breach of our equality and diversity policy, and in a way that is wholly at odds with our values. The University's values are rooted in the values of a civilised, 21st-century society; and they include the values of diversity, inclusiveness, equal opportunity, community and mutual respect. It is explicitly stated in our Charter that the University is proud to be a multi-cultural community.
The second issue is that, in publicising his personal views on race, Dr Ellis has recklessly jeopardised the fulfilment of the University's obligations under the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000. As a public body, the University is required under that Act to promote good relations between people of different racial groups. That is a requirement we are happy to accept.
Thirdly, Dr Ellis has failed to comply with reasonable requests given to him by his employer. For example, we asked him to apologise for the distress which his remarks on race and other matters have caused to many people inside and outside the University. He has not agreed to do that. Nor has he given us an undertaking to make it clear in public that scientific questions about the differences if any between different racial groups are questions which lie a long way from his own area of academic expertise as a lecturer in Russian and Slavonic Studies. And he has failed to give us an undertaking that he will make no further public comments suggesting that one racial group is inherently inferior (or superior) to another unless there is no possibility whatsoever that anyone hearing or reading his comments might reasonably associate him with the University of Leeds. The University is clearly and publicly distancing itself from Dr Ellis's comments on race.
Given the seriousness of the issues I have been outlining, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Michael Arthur, has decided to suspend Dr Ellis from his duties while the disciplinary process is underway. Professor Arthur saw Dr Ellis this afternoon to tell him of that decision. I must emphasise that suspension is not in itself a disciplinary penalty.
The disciplinary process might take some time to complete -certainly weeks rather than days, and perhaps months rather than weeks. The University intends to make no further public comment on the case until the conclusion of that disciplinary process.
Roger Gair
University Secretary
23 March 2006
Posted on March 15
The University has a legal duty as a public body to promote equality of opportunity and good relations between people of different racial groups. Dr Ellis' opinions on racial issues, as reported extensively by the media, are not only abhorrent to the overwhelming majority of our staff and students, and run counter to our values, but jeopardise our legal responsibilities in this area.
Accordingly, we wrote to Dr Ellis on March 8 asking him to desist from further public comment for the time being, until we are satisfied that he is not undermining our commitment and legal responsibility to promote and protect diversity and equality of opportunity and provide a safe and supportive environment for our staff, students and visitors. The University intends to discharge its full responsibilities under the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.
Posted on March 8
The views accredited to Dr Frank Ellis in recent issues of Leeds Student are abhorrent to the overwhelming majority of our staff and students. The University of Leeds is a diverse and multicultural community whose staff and students are proud to support our values, which include mutual respect, diversity and equal opportunity, and collegiality
We agree with Leeds University Union education officer Ruqayyah Collector, who said: "All our students have a right to study in an environment free from racism and discrimination and to be judged on their academic performance and not the prejudices of their tutor." Dr Ellis has a right to his personal opinions, but he does not have the right to treat students or colleagues in a prejudicial or discriminatory manner. The University has no evidence yet that this has happened, but we will look carefully at any such evidence presented to us.
Academic freedom is another of our values; this means our staff have the freedom within the law to question and test received wisdom and put forward new ideas and controversial or unpopular opinions without placing themselves in jeopardy of losing their jobs. We would expect such academic freedom to respect the University's values, and to be exercised within their context. We are deeply distressed that this expectation has not been met in opinions attributed to Dr Ellis. We have written to Dr Ellis asking him to clarify his position with respect to the University's policy on equality and diversity, and we are seeking clarification on the legal implications of his attributed comments.
With respect to student assessment, the University has in place a system of checks and balances to ensure that all students are fairly treated. Not all work is anonymously marked, as feedback is an important part of students' learning and their academic progress may be held back if they do not receive it. However, all work counting towards a degree is double-marked by a combination of internal and external examiners. University policy requires external examiners to check marks for each student across all modules and also the marks achieved by everyone taking each module. Several members of staff are involved with assessing a student during their degree, and exams are, of course, anonymously marked.
Roger Gair
University Secretary
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