Here’s the full statement
The Principal of South College insulted, humiliated, and abused the College’s student members. Tim Luckhurst was the ex-editor of a national newspaper and knew what he did when he stole a Christmas party from his friends. He then allowed them to spew vile propaganda that he believed would lead to division.
His shameful effort to justify this act of pantomime while pretending that it was for students’ education is disgraceful. His duty as principal to South College students and leader of our University community has been breached.
It is against the law to invite a friend to provoke or shock students at their home.
The Principal compromised the Christmas festivities of ‘South students by putting his own political agenda before their interests.
“Attempts to portray this act as an education strike are insulting to all students and academics at Durham. This is just hazing. Luckhurst knew that it would be a direct abuse of power. He wanted those who didn’t want to succumb to his bullying style to speak up and take his insults seriously.
“We stand with our students who used their freedom to speak out and left this pathetic excuse for an education. We also thank the many Durham academics, as well as others, for exposing this deliberate attempt to ruin their professional reputation.
It is dishonest for those who are fighting academic freedom threats around the globe to see the Principal attempt to justify his calculated behavior within freedom speech discourse.
“We are going to challenge the Acting Vice-Chancellor as to how it is possible for a Principal, who took it upon himself, to destroy a Christmas party, because their ‘right’ was to educate students, more than their right of enjoying their meal with their friends in their own home. South College students deserve an apology. Not just Orwell-style self-promotion.
“We have to acknowledge that the wife of the principal was at the very least inappropriate, and sometimes even antagonistic. Respect is expected of all guests in the community. Respect is essential to learning. Colleges should not be seen as battlegrounds for children’s denigration.
“We’ve read much about the principal’s rights over the weekend. His responsibilities have not been acknowledged. Our community should not focus on his distractions, but on what standards we can expect from a Principal of College. We have witnessed this behavior in our own college. See the video of Friday night.
‘Read testimony from students present, as well statements by representatives of Colleges and SU Associations. It isn’t the behavior we want to see in a leader, teacher or support person for our students.
Durham’s dysfunctional culture is widespread. This is not an isolated instance, but the result of a failure to address unacceptable behaviours over a long period. While we are grateful for the efforts of the university leadership in addressing the past problems, this incident highlights that cultural change is also needed.
“This is an assessment for us all. This style of running a College will be accepted as the normal.
Tim Luckhurst is in a difficult position at Durham, despite the many positive aspects of South College.
No Principal should be able to call their students pathetic and abuse them, or attack their desire to feel safe at their house. Our collegiate community now sees the Principal of South College as a threat and not an asset.
It is important to be clear about our beliefs and express our dismay at the response. We encourage students, staff and all supporters to reach out to the Pro-ViceChancellor (College & Student Experience), to voice their opinions.
“The unacceptable events that occurred Friday must now be acknowledged. It is time to have an open conversation about expectations of leaders. This conversation must go beyond the misdeeds one stubborn man.
It can be extremely easy to assist someone who is wrongly convinced of their “rights” in such situations. It is not possible for our community to allow someone who offends so many of our values to go through a flawed or fast process and claim to be a victim.
“We must trust that the University leadership is going to do the right thing even though it won’t all be public, and there won’t always be an immediate outcome. Although we are right to be mad at people who have violated the community’s core values, we also understand the reasons why the institution makes cautious statements about these matters. Their response will determine how we judge them and whether they show that Tim Luckhurst can be trusted.