As a team, we would like to express our deepest condolences to Professor Arday's family, friends and loved ones. Professor Jason Arday’s passing and the circumstances surrounding his death have caused grief and reflection for students and staff from the Black and disabled communities.

The level of negative attention Arday received following accusations of plagiarism highlights the ongoing battle that black and neurodivergent communities face. Arday was a visible representation of the incredible possibilities within these communities, and we are shocked by the outcome.

As elected student representatives, we wish to reaffirm our commitment to inclusion and racial equity. We stand against racism and oppression in any form and will continue to take proactive action to combat and call out such unacceptable behaviour.

As an Officer team, we are calling on the Higher Education sector to assess how black and neurodivergent communities are treated. We want to ensure the experiences of these minority communities are fair and that we foster inclusion for everyone. 

We will continue to work actively with the University to create a safe and welcoming environment on campus for all.

With warm regards,

Your Officer Team

We recognise that situations of this nature can have a personal impact far beyond the headlines. For some students, this may bring worry for loved ones, emotional strain, or difficulty focusing on academic work.

If you are feeling affected in any way, support is available:

• University wellbeing services can provide confidential support for your mental health.
• Student Support Advisers can discuss any concerns you may have about your studies.
• SU Advice can guide you through academic processes if your circumstances are affecting your course.
• If you experience or witness a hate crime or incident, we encourage you to make a report through Hallam's dedicated Report and Support service.

At HSU, we are committed to a stance of anti-racism; this means we are dedicated to continued and passionate action to stop racism in all its forms. Diversity is one of our greatest strengths, and we fully embrace all cultures at Hallam. The ongoing targeted violence against minority groups is unacceptable and not welcome in our community.