Edinburgh University has reissued guidance to students to not be “snobs” and on how they can create a more inclusive environment regarding class. The initial guidance was issued in March 2023.
The reissued guidance comes against the backdrop of students being mocked for their regional accents and working-class background. There have also been a series of “socio-economic microaggressions” where some students have either on purpose or inadvertently offended others.
This comes as new statistics indicate that despite the University being in Scotland, over 70 per cent of students come from England. Furthermore, 40 per cent of the student body is publicly educated despite people attending private schools accounting for only 7 per cent of the UK’s population.
Reissued recommendations include asking “fellow students about their interests instead of quizzing them on their background”.
A common phenomenon amongst some students is being asked “where they went to school”, which has been seen as a sign of distinguishing students who attend public schools from those who attended private schools.
The University has also asked students to help “undo the helpful mythology about the connection between wealth and hard work”. That recommendation is likely the result of reports indicating that some students bragged about their family’s financial assets, which they said showed their parents were hard workers.
It is hoped this guidance, which tells students not to be “snobs”, will have a positive effect.
When approached for comment, the Edinburgh University office released the following statement:
“We are incredibly proud of our diverse community and work hard to create an environment that eliminates discrimination and allows all of our students to have the best experience possible during their studies.
“Our Dignity and Respect policy sets out clear expectations of behaviour, including recognising when comments or behaviour may be harmful or upsetting to others and acting accordingly.”
Still, concerns abound. The Edinburgh Tab, a source of information for most students, was recently marred by controversy.
Student-led groups like the 93% Club seek to help address issues of elitism at the University.
The newly-formed University of Edinburgh Scottish Social Mobility Society (SMSS) expressed doubt on the effect the University’s guidance would have. A society member said the guidance “fails to mention any support of those who essentially feel unwelcome and out of place at the uni”.
The source went on to add that “the guidance comes off as rather patronising and fails to address the embedded issues that lay within the institution.”
“Old College of Edinburgh University” by Kim Traynor is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.