University of Sussex’s record fine sparks confusion over freedom of speech rules

Vice-chancellors urge Office for Students to provide more clarity to protect students and academics from abuseA ruling by the higher education regulator for England on freedom of speech breaches at the University of Sussex has sparked anxiety in the sector, as vice-chancellors scramble to review their policies to avoid potential violations.Two weeks after the Office for Students (OfS) handed out a record £585,000 fine, many university leaders are still not clear what it means in practice.