This document sets out the procedure for complaints against Oxford University for breaches of the University’s duties under freedom of speech legislation.
The University has a Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech which sets out the University’s values and expectations relating to freedom of speech and academic freedom and how these values and expectations are applied to University activities.
The University will consider complaints from individuals who believe that their rights to freedom of speech within the law have been infringed as a result of the University breaching its freedom of speech duties.
Before making a formal complaint, individuals should consider taking steps to resolve the matter informally, by engaging directly with the relevant individuals or parts of the University.
If they are dissatisfied with any attempt at informal resolution, or if they wish to complain formally, then the following procedures should be used:
- Staff complaints should normally be considered under the relevant staff procedure, for example the grievance procedure, harassment, disciplinary or other procedure most appropriate to consider the complaint;
- Complaints by students or former students should be considered under the University’s Student Complaints Procedure;
- Other complaints should be addressed to the Registrar (registrar@admin.ox.ac.uk), within 3 months of the matter(s) complained about (which can be extended where there are strong reasons to do so). The Registrar will appoint an individual to review the complaint, investigate if appropriate, and provide an outcome as soon as possible.
Students who are unsatisfied with the outcome of their complaint can escalate their complaints to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator. Staff, University members, job applicants and visiting speakers[1] will be able to escalate their complaint to the Office for Students, although this complaint scheme is not yet operational.
