Briefing for External Speakers at Students’ Union University of
Greenwich Events
Welcome, and thank you for agreeing to speak to our students at a Students’ Union
University of Greenwich event. Students’ Union University of Greenwich exists to ‘provide
for the intellectual, cultural, social and physical recreation of our members’ as well as to
‘foster and encourage the freedom of speech, expression, assembly and association
amongst members’.
A number of our student groups choose to fulfil these objectives by inviting in speakers to
broaden the scope of discussion and debate at events, and we are grateful to those who
volunteer their time to contribute to the extra-curricular development of our students.
In allowing speakers to attend Students’ Union University of Greenwich events we approve them based on
the understanding that they act within the law and the regulations set by the University and the statutes that
those regulations are drawn from. The use of University of Greenwich premises for events that involve
external speakers is regulated by the ‘University of Greenwich Code Of Practice on Freedom of Speech’
and these rules are therefore adopted by Students’ Union University of Greenwich in line with our use of their
premises for our events.
The University of Greenwich ‘Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech’ lays down the practice that is to be
followed in taking such steps as are reasonably practicable to ensure freedom of speech within the law is
secured for members, students and employees of the establishment, and visiting speakers. This includes the
duty to ensure, so far as is reasonably practical, the use of the premises of the establishment (including
those occupied by the Students’ Union) is not denied to any individual or body of persons on any ground
connected with:

the beliefs or views of that individual or of any member of that body; or

the policy or objectives of that body.
It is essential to the purposes of University of Greenwich that opportunities for free and open discussion within
the law should be safeguarded. Members of University of Greenwich and all other persons attending
meetings held on the premises must behave in a lawful manner and avoid taking any action or using any
language which is offensive or provocative.
While it is the duty to uphold the aforementioned regulations, it is also our duty to act within the law and
protect the safety of our students and staff. Our objective to promote Freedom of Speech is limited by
statute laws that protect individuals and groups of individuals from hate speech. These statutes forbid
communication which is hateful, threatening, abusive or insulting and is intended to harass, alarm or distress.
Communication which targets a person based on their skin colour, race, nationality, ethnicity, religion or
sexuality is forbidden (see references at the end of the briefing). It is also a criminal offence to incite or
encourage others to break the law. All speakers, as well as event attendees, must be respectful of the
beliefs and opinions of others.
We believe that all external speakers invited to give presentations or hold discussions at events are equally
as eager to ensure that there is a safe atmosphere at the event, where students and other attendees feel
free to foster new learning, express their views, and meet other students.
In line with the Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech, we do not normally consider the expression of
controversial views which are not unlawful per se to be reasonable grounds to withholding facilities for an
event, but where there is any possibility of our students not having a safe atmosphere at the event then we
will put in place conditions to manage and mitigate any risk that may be reasonably associated with the
event. Risks that will be considered include but are not limited to; reputational damage, security of
premises, safety of persons attending or in the vicinity, interruption of the work of students and staff not
directly involved, welfare of students and staff, the ability to ensure good conduct of speakers and
participants, the ability to present a ‘right of reply’ when appropriate.
With regards to the need to manage and mitigate risks to protect the Union, University, students and staff
then there may be occasions when conditions are attached to the approval of external speakers. These
conditions may include:
 Requesting submission of the speeches, presentations, discussion topics or questions in advance of the
meeting;
 Limitation on attendees, either by number or by student status;
 Limitations on promotion and advertising of the event, by approval of any advertising material,
restriction of where material can be placed, or limitation of what types of material can be used;
 Declaration of attendees in advance of the meeting;
 Stewards to be provided by the organisers or a neutral chair to be nominated by the Students’ Union;
 Presence of officers and/or staff of Students’ Union University of Greenwich to ensure good order;
 Limitation on what attendees may bring to the event, which may include banning food or drink or
anything that could be used as a missile;
 Not allowing banners, flags, placards or similar items in to the building or on to relevant parts of
campus;
 Alteration of the conduct of the event or its facilitation, including closing down of the event if there is
reasonable need, even if the event is already underway;
 Requesting that a copy of these guidelines are agreed to and a copy of the agreement kept on file;
 Limiting the presence of press/media or media production equipment.
Organisers will be informed of the conditions when approval of the speaker is communicated, or as soon as
reasonably possible following any relevant new information becoming available. Conditions are
communicated via email to organisers, to enable them to pass information on the conditions along to
external speakers as necessary or requested.
An event may also be cancelled if there are concerns that the event may risk student safety, violation of
health and safety requirements or if the event risked violating the aforementioned laws regarding hatred,
discrimination or incitement. Students’ Union University of Greenwich reserves the right to cancel or
postpone any event should they have any concerns. We also reserve the right to perform spot checks on
events being hosted by Students’ Union University of Greenwich student groups. If there are breaches of the
Students’ Union University of Greenwich or University of Greenwich policies at our event the matter will be
referred for disciplinary or legal action as relevant.
The University of Greenwich, as the occupiers of the premises, also hold the same rights to postpone or
cancel any event booked through the Students’ Union, if they feel that the event may risk student safety,
violation of health and safety requirements, any of their codes of practice, policies or procedures, or any
relevant laws. Any cancellation or postponement by the University will be communicated through the
appropriate channels via the Students’ Union to the event organisers.
This briefing document has been provided to ensure all of our speakers are aware of the framework we
operate within when facilitating external speakers and the measures that may, rarely, be required to
support Freedom of Speech at our events. We do not anticipate having to often do more than attach
reasonable conditions to bookings, and as much as possible we wish to continue to encourage debate,
questions and new experiences by and for our students.
Please confirm receipt of this guidance and your agreement to comply with any conditions attached to
your invitation to speak by either email confirmation directly to the Student Activities Manager, or by
returning a signed copy of this document to the Students’ Union, for attention of the Student Activities
Manager.
Again, we thank you for agreeing to speak at one of our events and if you have any questions regarding
any of the information in this document please contact us.
Student Activities Manager
Cath Taylor – c.taylor@gre.ac.uk
Membership Services Manager
Gary Naylor – g.naylor@gre.ac.uk
I, …………………………….., confirm that I have read this guideline document and agree with the statements
within, including my compliance with any conditions set on the event I am attending.
Signed: ………………………………..
Date: …………………………………..
If you are attending on behalf of an organisation, please confirm the name of the organisation:
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
References
i Public Order Act 1986 - www.statutelaw.gov.uk/content.aspx?activeTextDocId=2236942
ii Racial and Religious Hatred Act 2006 - www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/1/contents
iii Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 - www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1994/Ukpga_19940033_en_1.htm
iv Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 - www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2008/4/pdfs/ukpga_20080004_en.pdf
v Terrorism Act 2000 www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/11/pdfs/ukpga_20000011_en.pdf