The beleaguered director of the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) at the University of London, Professor Adam Habib, was dealt another blow this week when an academic union overwhelmingly backed a vote of no confidence against him.
Habib, the former vice chancellor of the University of the Witwatersrand, found himself engulfed in controversy when he used the n-word in a meeting with students. Habib was speaking about what action SOAS would take “If someone used the word [n-word] against another staff member, then it would violate our policy and action would be taken.” Habib said he was not directing it at any individual. However, he has been heavily criticised, both in this country and in Britain, and he has stepped aside from his position as director of SOAS, which he has only held since the beginning of this year.
Members of the Unison union at SOAS, which represents professional and support staff, held a ballot on support for a vote of no confidence in Habib. At an emergency general meeting of the union 98% of members backed a motion of no confidence in Habib, with 2% abstaining, and none opposing it.
The union said in a statement after the vote: ‘Members also called on the school to ensure that no student faces repercussions for challenging the director’s use of the N-word in the all-student meeting of March 11 2021, and to provide transparency regarding its handling of complaints after that meeting. The branch also called on the school to take urgent steps, in consultation with the Equalities and Black Members reps of the campus trade unions, Students’ Union, and Art and The African Mind Society, to address the serious concerns that have been raised regarding anti-black racism within the school.’
[Photo: The Citizen]