The University of Manchester (UoM) has apologised after allegations the n-word was used by staff in lectures and seminars earlier this year.
After a group of students, named UoM Black Students Matter, published an open later claiming the city’s largest university allows members of its staff to “say the n-word” during lecturers and seminars, the University of Manchester has confirmed that those exposed to racist language have now been “personally apologised to”.
Shortly after the claims were made back in February, the University said it had “been made aware” of the open letter and was investigating the matter “as a priority”.
Published on 13 February, UoM Black Students Matter’s letter detailed a number of alleged instances in which the n-word was used during education contact hours – which the group said caused “distress to black students”.
Allegations referred to in the open later, and the walk-outs staged as a result, largely referred to the French Department at UoM and lecturer Dr Barbara Lebrun in particular.
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University of Manchester apologises to students for ‘racist language’ used by staff / Credit: University of Manchester
With the investigation into the matter now believed to be complete, UoM has confirmed that personal apologies have been issued after having “positively engaged with students”, according to the MEN.
Addressing the claims, a University of Manchester spokesperson said: “The University has been positively engaged with students through direct meetings and discussions in relation to concerns regarding the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures.
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“These actions are helping us to establish how we might review and address these issues, a process that has already commenced.
“Senior staff have personally apologised to students on the course units in question who were exposed to racist language, and for the lack of sensitivity displayed in discussions of topics such as racism, racial representations and colonialism.”
The institution says it’s committed to creating a “safe space” for all / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
UoM says it is “committed to creating a safe, inclusive and respectful environment for all our students”, and apologises that “this has not been the case in this instance”.
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“We will be working with our SU representatives, the University’s Equality Diversity and Inclusion team and external providers,” the statement continues.
“We would also like to continue to collaborate with students in our ongoing review process.”
Featured Image – University of Manchester
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Cult US sustainable clothing brand Reformation to open in Manchester city centre
Emily Sergeant
Cult US sustainable clothing brand Reformation is set to open its doors in Manchester very soon.
Since it was first founded in Los Angeles all the way back in 2009, Reformation has gone on to become one of the largest sustainable womenswear brands on the planet, and is now known and loved for making beautiful, timeless apparel and accessories that aim to ‘inspire confidence’ across life stages and occasions.
Operating on a business model that pairs a smart approach to merchandising with a responsive supply chain, Reformation now operates more than 70 retail stores across the US, UK, Canada, and France.
At the heart of the Reformation story is a genuine commitment to ‘doing things differently’.
Since day one, sustainability has been woven into everything the brand makes – from the eco-certified fabrics and responsible factories, to its famously transparent sustainability reports.
Currently, Reformation has five UK stores to its name – but, it may come as no surprise to fans of the brand that they’re all in London.
That’s why the news of this new Manchester opening is such a big deal.
Set to be the label’s first UK store outside of the capital, Reformation has secured a prime spot on King Street in the heart of the city centre, and although there’s no confirmed opening date as of yet, if the shop windows saying ‘Summer 2026’ are anything to go by, we can only imagine it’ll be very soon.
“For Manchester, it’s a landmark moment, and for King Street, it’s the latest signal that this is one of the UK’s most exciting retail destinations,” a spokesperson for King Street said in a statement.
Stay tuned for details on opening dates to be announced in due course.
Featured Image – The Manc Group
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Andy Burnham to begin rolling out new ‘everyday fixes’ for Brits amid cost of living crisis
Emily Sergeant
A series of ‘everyday fixes’ to help combat the rising cost of living crisis are soon to be rolled out nationwide.
Kicking off with two measures today, new Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced that he plans to ban retailers from making ‘misleading’ claims to customers about discounts.
The Government says shoppers have ‘increasingly complained’ about outlets artificially inflating prices to give a false sense of value, such as increasing prices only to then immediately advertise ‘discounts’ to make savings look larger than they really are, which goes on to create an uneven playing field for honest competitors.
The Prime Minister also wants to see an end to so-called ‘subscription traps’, where people find it hard to cancel their subscriptions, and contracts are automatically renewed at a higher cost.
Set to come into force in January 2027 and saving people an average of £14 a month for every unwanted subscription, the changes will mean businesses will need to provide clearer up-front information, regular reminders. and a ‘much easier’ exit to contracts.
Andy Burnham to begin rolling out new ‘everyday fixes’ for Brits amid cost of living crisis / Credit: gov.uk | Piotr Cichosz (via Unsplash)
A new 14-day cooling-off period will also be introduced to let consumers cancel after a trial or long-term contract renews.
Certain charitable memberships, like the ones for cultural and heritage organisations for example, will be excluded from the new subscription rules due to the fact they have a unique role in preserving the nation’s history, landscapes, and cultural collections.
The Prime Minister says he is ‘determined’ to use every chance he gets to restore fairness and take pressure off people.
“I know people are sick and tired of rip-off discounts and subscription traps,” Andy Burnham said. “Westminster has got used to telling people that everyday hassles like this are just part of life, but I don’t think that’s right, especially when the cost of living continues to weigh heavily on so many people’s lives.”
Emily Sergeant -
2nd May 2023 
