250-Word Summary of Against (No) campaign
- We share the desire for a peaceful world and we, in no way, want to support a plausible genocide.
- The proposal to "demilitarize" our university is misguided and counterproductive. A ban of all suspected business is likely to result in damaged relationships and mistrust. This can be avoided with other paths such as an ethics committee on partnerships.
- The ban misunderstands our institution's core identity and threatens the practical interests of our students.
- This University was founded as a 'living memorial' to those lost in WW1. Its purpose was to build a safer future from the lessons of the past.
- Severing all ties ignores this history and dismisses life-saving research made and legitimate career paths these sectors provide for our engineers, scientists, and other experts. This policy also creates a political stance from the University, which can cause the Union to undermine its careers service and harm students' prospects.
- We must believe in productive engagement.
- The University has pledged to support the Armed Forces Community through the Armed Forces Covenant1.
- Rather than demanding unworkable bans that cede all influence, we should focus our efforts on an advocate for ethical oversight committee where student would actively scrutinize and guide research partnerships.
- This ensures that there can be accountability. Let us choose constructive dialogue that is able to protect student interests, fosters real-world ethical scrutiny, and upholds our legacy as pragmatic and highly regarded "Citizens of Change."
Vote NO for responsibility in engagement, and a union that fights for your future.
REFS
- Armed forces covenant https://www.gov.uk/armed-forces-covenant-businesses/university-of-leicester
- Vote of no confidence https://www.uculeicester.org.uk/leicester-university-vice-chancellor-loses-vote-of-no-confidence/
- UniMemorial https://le.ac.uk/about/history/campus-history/great-war
To read the detailed three-page campaign summary submitted by the against (no) campaign click here