'Wrong ideas' are wrong

We were disappointed to see the piece by Jennie Bristow from the University of Sussex portrayed as a student view point on the sensitive issue of extremism on campus. Ms Bristow is not a representative of student views, either from an elected or ideological viewpoint.

She mentions her first visit to NUS conference three years ago but omits to mention that she did so as a Revolutionary Communist Student candidate for vice presidency of the union.

The real situation on campus has been well documented by The THES and by other national media: violence, intimidation and harassment towards other Muslim students, Jewish students, Hindu students, lesbian, gay and bisexual students and women students.

The one-day closure of London Guildhall University in October last year, proves this issue is not only being taken seriously by NUS, but by college management and the police.

We will be working with the Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals this year to develop a code of conduct to deal with the many problems of combatting extremism on campus. We will also be working with the Muslim community, both on and off campus, to avoid creating a negative atmosphere for the vast majority of Muslim students who play no part in the politics of hatred, discrimination and poison advocated by Hizb ut-Tahrir and their like.

We are seriously concerned for the safety and well-being of all students affected in whatever ways by the evil of extremism on campus. The issue will be dealt with by NUS with sensitivity and we will look to the vice-chancellors and the media to do the same.

Douglas Trainer National president, NUS