New students at the University of Northampton have been ordered to undergo “race equity” training before they move into their accommodation.
Students as young as 18 have been asked to complete the controversial course as part of their induction for Freshers’ Week at the university.
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Northampton has confirmed that students who fail to finish all of the required modules will be sent constant reminders to do so.
The course – titled “Introduction to Race Equity” – is provided by university membership organisation Advance HE.
As part of the “Whiteness, Privilege and Belonging” module, the students are instructed to answer whether they were “aware of how White privilege operates and the impact it has on staff and students from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds”.
The freshers are also asked to make notes of actions they believe they should take in order to boost their “anti-racist practice” and help “tackle race inequality.
Northampton has insisted that the course is optional and students who do not partake will still be allowed to move into accommodations and begin their studies.
The Free Speech Union has launched a blistering attack on the training exercise.
A spokesman for the campaign group said: “Even though this course isn’t mandatory and the answers aren’t accessible to the university, it still sends a message that Northampton has taken a position on a number of politically contested issues and woe betide the student who disagrees with that position.”
Advance HE defines white privilege as “unquestioned and unearned set of advantages, entitlements, benefits and choices bestowed on people solely because they are white”.
A glossary published by the organisation also claims that “structural white privilege” is “a system of white domination that creates and maintains belief systems that make current racial advantages and disadvantages seem normal”.
Northampton has insisted that Advance HE offers the training to all higher education institutions.
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But the university did not shy away from pushing the modules onto its incoming students.
A spokesman said: “Inclusivity is one of our core values, and we make no apologies for that.
“However, we also share a commitment to freedom of speech and respectful dialogue.
“The training offered is an industry standard course that encourages new students to reflect on both their own background and that of their new peers, non-completion would not prevent anyone starting their studies or moving into their university accommodation.”
Northampton insisted that the responses written by students are not monitored by university staff.
Meanwhile, a spokesman for Advance HE said it “offers the Introduction to Race Equity e-learning programme to higher education providers, supporting the sector in its efforts to tackle race inequalities and bring about more inclusive campuses”.
They added: “The course invites reflections on issues that can give rise to race discrimination or bias. Providers may adapt the programme for use in their own context.
“Advance HE does not prescribe how providers deliver training in this or any other field.”
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