Key facts
- The Office for Students (OfS) has apologised for errors in its decision to fine the University of Sussex £585,000.
- The fine, imposed last year, was related to free speech regulations and the case of former professor Kathleen Stock.
- The high court overturned the fine in April after a judicial review found the OfS acted with bias.
- An internal review by KPMG commissioned by the OfS criticized the regulator for being adversarial and having gaps in its records.
- The OfS has committed to improving its relationships with higher education providers and using alternative interventions before resorting to fines.
England's higher education regulator, the Office for Students (OfS), has issued an apology for a series of mistakes made in its decision to impose a record £585,000 fine on the University of Sussex. The fine, levied last year over alleged breaches of free speech regulations involving former professor Kathleen Stock, was later overturned by the high court in April following a judicial review initiated by the university.
The OfS acknowledged its errors, stating its commitment to learning from the case with humility. As part of its reforms, the regulator plans to foster more respectful relationships with higher education providers and prioritize alternative interventions before resorting to enforcement actions like fines.
Professor Sasha Roseneil, vice-chancellor of the University of Sussex, welcomed the apology but expressed concern that the proposed reforms did not fully address the high court's findings or the perceived deep cultural problems within the OfS regarding freedom of expression and internal challenge. She noted the lack of engagement with the University of Sussex during the review, a point criticized by the high court.
An internal review by KPMG, commissioned by the OfS and published in summary, corroborated criticisms of the regulator. KPMG found the OfS to be adversarial, lacking clear accountability, and having gaps in its written records. The review also highlighted that decision-making was concentrated within a small group of senior staff, limiting opportunities for independent challenge and fresh perspectives.
OfS chair Edward Peck and chief executives Ruth Hannant and Polly Payne thanked the University of Sussex's leadership for their input. Hannant and Payne took over their roles in June and were not involved in the original decision to fine the university. The OfS investigation commenced after Kathleen Stock's resignation in 2021, following campus protests concerning her views on transgender rights and gender identity.