Oxford porters ‘need training’ over race bias

OXFORD porters should be given “unconscious bias” training, the students’ union has said, amid claims that they assume black students are trespassing when they enter college grounds.

The university’s students’ union has published its Liberation Vision document, which recommends that porters should also be trained in how to respond to reports of sexual violence and mental health issues among students.

It follows complaints about porters unfairly targeting black students and singling them out for questioning about why they have entered college grounds. Last year, an Oxford college sent an email to students telling them to be “vigilant” as a black man was seen walking through college grounds.

Harris Manchester College was accused of “despicable” double standards for urging undergraduates to “alert a member of staff” if the man is seen again – while white students and graduates frequently “wander around college” without triggering safety alerts.

Femi Nylander, who had graduated from Oxford the previous summer after reading philosophy, politics and economics, said the email was an example of the university’s “institutional racism” and he called on the college to apologise. He said he had also been stopped and asked for identity documents by porters at Brasenose College and Magdalene College on his way to tutorials, and at St Hilda’s College where he had a play rehearsal.

Harris Manchester College said it sent the email after being informed of an “unidentified person” on the grounds.

Donald Brown, a Rhodes scholar, said that during his time at Oxford he and two friends were stopped by Christ Church porters and asked if they were “construction workers” when on college grounds.

Oxford University said that it already offers train ng for staff in unconscious bias.