Last
updated: 07/02/08
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A
student union president was prevented from representing black students
from his university at an NUS event because he is white.
University of Lincoln Student’s Union acting president Mike Beddoes
was barred from attending the NUS Black Students Winter Conference held
on November 17-18 last year at the Institute of Education in London.
Beddoes had originally arranged to travel to the capital with students
from Lincoln’s Afro-Caribbean and Muslim societies to take part
in the event. But after submitting his application he was emailed by
NUS Black Students Officer, Ruqayyah Collector and informed that he
would not be allowed to attend the conference.
Talking to Lincoln student newspaper The Linc Beddoes said, “When
we applied, NUS at no point flagged up to say there was a problem. Although,
technically, I didn’t write ‘I am white’ on the application.”
He also stated that he had hoped that the trip could be used as a learning
experience and help him with plans to put in place new student support
groups to help black students in Lincoln integrate better in the university
life.
“It would have given me the chance to network with other unions,”
he said.
“Other unions might already have something in place that works
really well. It saves us leg work, and we can put something in place
quickly.”
Collector, confirmed that Beddoes was not allowed to attend the event
in a statement to The Linc, “It’s really an issue of autonomy.
Over the summer we have events that Mike can visit. It’s about
having the right to self organise. That’s how we work within the
Black Students Campaign.”
Despite repeated requests from The National Student, Collector has so
far failed to answer any further questions on the matter.
Beddoes agrees that black students should be able to talk about issues
that affect them, with their peers in confidence, but argues that the
main conference should be open to all.
“That seems like the logical thing to do,” he said.
“Luckily we have some very enthusiastic members of societies representing
Lincoln, but as the person who’s supposed to put the logistics
in place for ethnic minorities in Lincoln, I feel by not being allowed
to go, it’s hindering liberation in Lincoln.”
