College to investigate ‘toxic culture’ claims

THE New College of the Humanities is investigating racism and discrimination allegations, claims which its founder, AC Grayling, said he “cannot believe”.

The privately funded liberal arts university, set up in 2012, is accused by a group of alumni of presiding over a “toxic culture” as well as “serious safeguarding failures and abuses of power”.

A letter signed by 68 alumni alleges that students and staff have experienced “toxic behaviours” which were “dealt with poorly, ignored or dealt with in such a way that the complainant was put at further risk”.

Examples cited include racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia and classism as well as sexual harassment, bullying, intimidation, emotional abuse and “gaslighting” concerns.

Prof Grayling said: “I must confess that I cannot believe the degree of toxicity you claim to have existed and to continue to exist at our college.”

He later said the college will invite an independent body to audit its “social, recruitment and educational environment”.

The New College of the Humanities promised an Ivy League-style liberal arts degree with dozens of modules combining science, humanities and arts, and Oxbridgestyle one-to-one tutorials.

In 2018, it merged with Northeastern University, based in Boston, Massachusetts. A spokesman for the university said: “Given the nature of the allegations in the letter, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”