This is Exeter -- The University of Exeter considered legal action against its own students as it sought to minimise the damage caused by "dubious student antics", it has emerged. A 90-page dossier of internal staff communication, released under the Freedom of Information Act, reveals the extent of efforts made by the university to uphold its reputation earlier this year following a plethora of "offensive" comments made on public internet pages. More than 3,500 people joined a Facebook page entitled 'Spotted: Exeter Uni Library' in January allowing members to send anonymous messages about other people they had seen in the library. But senior management criticised the page, saying comments amounted to "bullying" and "harassment" and those responsible were damaging their job prospects. An email from a communications director to Vice Chancellor Professor Sir Steve Smith dated January 15 said: "A lot of time this year spent dampening down dubious student antics. We have spent the last few days persuading students to take down various Spotted pages on Facebook, which invite library users and others to make offensive comments about each other and share them with 3,000 other people." One comment said: "To the brunette with five apples, three sandwiches, four packs of crisps and a cup of coffee, all you're missing is your sleeping bag." Another comment said: "To the guy who just woke up from a four-hour 'nap', your shocked face expression was just priceless." The Vice Chancellor Professor Sir Steve Smith instructed the removal of all Spotted pages linked to the university with "immediate effect", as bosses considered legal and disciplinary action if they failed to obey the demand. An email from a marketing manager to a page administrator said: "The management of the university is understandably very sensitive about the reputation of the university... and are worried that any of these pages could cause upset if students feel they are being singled out by the posts." Concerns were expressed that students would be put off using the library if they thought their "appearance, dress sense or sexual availability" would be discussed "in front of thousands of other people". The lengthy discussion over three separate weeks, obtained by the university student newspaper Exeposé, reveals that the university received at least two complaints about the page - from a student and a parent. Another email from the marketing manager to the page administrator said: "As the Vice Chancellor has received complaints about the spotted pages I'm afraid there is no room for debate in this matter and we would strongly suggest that you remove the page." The controversy arose as the university found itself at the centre of a sex scandal after CCTV footage was leaked showing students engaged in sexual activity during an event intended to promote safe sex. Another email from a university communications to the Students' Guild said: "We could do without any more student antics for a period, I think." The page was eventually taken down following a discussion with the page administrator who initially denied the page was either "harmful or malicious". The student, who complained about the page, was told in a letter: "I am pleased to advise the site has now been taken down in response to our request... We are seeking legal advise on the further steps that may be available to us to dissuade those who are establishing and then re-establishing such sites." The Spotted page was part of a social media trend earlier this year in which students across the country would comment anonymously on the activity and actions of others. A related site in was shut down after a user claimed they committed "a serious sexual assault" while studying at Birmingham University. Another Facebook page entitled 'Spotted in the Forum' is still in existence, attracting some 5,000 likes from users mainly in Exeter. A recent post included a picture of a student on a staircase and said: "To the girl wearing a pyjama set. Not a good look!" A university spokesman said: "Our concern is when Spotted pages are used by some students to harass people. Last year we had several which seriously overstepped the mark and we asked for them to be taken down. We have not had any complaints about the Forum Spotted pages."
Reported by This is 13 hours ago.
This is Exeter -- The University of Exeter considered legal action against its own students as it sought to minimise the damage caused by "dubious student antics", it has emerged. A 90-page dossier of internal staff communication, released under the Freedom of Information Act, reveals the extent of efforts made by the university to uphold its reputation earlier this year following a plethora of "offensive" comments made on public internet pages. More than 3,500 people joined a Facebook page entitled 'Spotted: Exeter Uni Library' in January allowing members to send anonymous messages about other people they had seen in the library. But senior management criticised the page, saying comments amounted to "bullying" and "harassment" and those responsible were damaging their job prospects. An email from a communications director to Vice Chancellor Professor Sir Steve Smith dated January 15 said: "A lot of time this year spent dampening down dubious student antics. We have spent the last few days persuading students to take down various Spotted pages on Facebook, which invite library users and others to make offensive comments about each other and share them with 3,000 other people." One comment said: "To the brunette with five apples, three sandwiches, four packs of crisps and a cup of coffee, all you're missing is your sleeping bag." Another comment said: "To the guy who just woke up from a four-hour 'nap', your shocked face expression was just priceless." The Vice Chancellor Professor Sir Steve Smith instructed the removal of all Spotted pages linked to the university with "immediate effect", as bosses considered legal and disciplinary action if they failed to obey the demand. An email from a marketing manager to a page administrator said: "The management of the university is understandably very sensitive about the reputation of the university... and are worried that any of these pages could cause upset if students feel they are being singled out by the posts." Concerns were expressed that students would be put off using the library if they thought their "appearance, dress sense or sexual availability" would be discussed "in front of thousands of other people". The lengthy discussion over three separate weeks, obtained by the university student newspaper Exeposé, reveals that the university received at least two complaints about the page - from a student and a parent. Another email from the marketing manager to the page administrator said: "As the Vice Chancellor has received complaints about the spotted pages I'm afraid there is no room for debate in this matter and we would strongly suggest that you remove the page." The controversy arose as the university found itself at the centre of a sex scandal after CCTV footage was leaked showing students engaged in sexual activity during an event intended to promote safe sex. Another email from a university communications to the Students' Guild said: "We could do without any more student antics for a period, I think." The page was eventually taken down following a discussion with the page administrator who initially denied the page was either "harmful or malicious". The student, who complained about the page, was told in a letter: "I am pleased to advise the site has now been taken down in response to our request... We are seeking legal advise on the further steps that may be available to us to dissuade those who are establishing and then re-establishing such sites." The Spotted page was part of a social media trend earlier this year in which students across the country would comment anonymously on the activity and actions of others. A related site in was shut down after a user claimed they committed "a serious sexual assault" while studying at Birmingham University. Another Facebook page entitled 'Spotted in the Forum' is still in existence, attracting some 5,000 likes from users mainly in Exeter. A recent post included a picture of a student on a staircase and said: "To the girl wearing a pyjama set. Not a good look!" A university spokesman said: "Our concern is when Spotted pages are used by some students to harass people. Last year we had several which seriously overstepped the mark and we asked for them to be taken down. We have not had any complaints about the Forum Spotted pages."
Reported by This is 13 hours ago.