Universities Defend “Gendered Language” Guidelines

Universities defend “gendered language” guidelines

WA universities state that their Inclusive Language Procedure guidelines have existed for decades in Australian institutions. Curtin University came under fire for warning its students against using gender-specific language. Deputy vice-chancellor Professor Jill Downie said: “Our preference would be to work with students to educate them on the use of inclusive language and this would be typically handled in the feedback provided to learners”. However, the student charter and staff code of conduct state that those found harassing and discriminating would face consequences. The Murdoch University and University of Western Australia have similar guidelines and similar stance on preference of educating instead of punishing students and university staff.

Norway bans burqa and niqab at educational institutions

A bill banning niqab and burqa in educational institutions was backed by majority of Norway’s parliament, reports the Local. Some universities expressed their disapproval of Norway’s ban on the veil in schools. Red, Green and Socialist Left party voted against the bill, whereas the anti-immigration Progress Party expressed its delight at the passing of the bill because they proposed a total ban on the niqab in public back in 2003. Total ban was passed in Denmark and it was criticized by civil rights groups such as Amnesty International.

Concern over international student recruitment in the USA

More commercialized landscape for student recruitment was created with the rise of third-party providers and the private capital behind them, writes Elizabeth Redden for Inside Higher Ed. The payment of commission to recruiting agents can reach as high as $9,000 per student enrolment and this began raising questions about firms’ recruitment practices. The biggest issue in this entire situation is the fact that there is no prohibition of such practices by the law when it comes to international students like there is federal law that prohibits paying commissions for the recruitment of domestic American students.

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