Newcastle University has sparked controversy by instructing staff to stop using the term “Christmas break” in favour of “winter break” as part of new inclusivity measures.
The change comes as part of a 20-page guide aimed at making the academic calendar “more inclusive and sensitive to a diverse range of beliefs”.
The move has drawn criticism from free speech advocates.
Toby Young, of the Free Speech Union, condemned the decision, saying: “Newcastle University needs to be reminded that Britain is still a Christian country and we still celebrate Christian festivals.”
Newcastle University has defended the decision
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He added: “Does inclusion not apply to Christians?”
The university’s new guidance suggests that non-religious terms should be adopted to better reflect their diverse community of students and staff.
The policy change represents the latest instance of British universities implementing controversial language guidelines in the name of inclusivity.
This is not the first time Newcastle University has faced criticism over language policies.
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In August, the institution sparked outrage when it asked employees to avoid using certain “patronising and gendered terms”.
Staff were instructed to refrain from using words such as “girls”, “pet” or “ladies” as part of their inclusive language guidance.
A university spokeswoman defended the latest changes, stating: “We have renamed the breaks to reflect the seasons and be more inclusive of our diverse community of students and staff.”
The guide emphasised that “language is always evolving, and it is important to be mindful of any trends.”
Meanwhile the University of Greenwich in south-east London, staff and students are encouraged to “use terms that include all relationships.”
The document says aims to “provide some helpful guidance for those who are creating policy documents or other publications.”
The University, which has 22,000 students have been told that “awfully good” is off-limits because it could confuse foreign students.
Minority group is off-limits as it could make non-white or foreign students feel an “inferior social position” and advises against “Christian name.”
The University also calls on students to recognise and respect the difference between sexual orientation and gender identity.
It says: “Don’t use ‘straight’ as the opposite of ‘LGBTQ+’ (transgender people can be any sexual orientation, including straight).”
