Two British universities have decided to stay part of the embattled National Union of Students – despite serious concerns about its new president.
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Oxford and Essex both decided to stick with the NUS, in a setback to a national wave of disaffiliations.
At Oxford, 57% of students voted stay, while at Essex the figure was 56%.
Newcastle, Hull and Lincoln earlier decided to ditch the NUS amid concerns about president-elect Malia Bouattia, who famously refused to condemn ISIS and has been widely accused of anti-Semitism.
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Even though Oxford decided to stick with the NUS, student leaders at Oxford have criticised her attempts to placate concerned Jewish students. Oxford’s student president snubbed Bouattia in her leadership contest.
York and Nottingham universities are currently voting on whether to leave the NUS, while Durham will hold a poll of its own next week.
Many other institutions are also campaigning to have a say.