Oxford University staff are to wear BODYCAMS after students ‘coughed at them while being rebuked for breaking social distancing rules’
- A dean at St Catherine’s College sent an email to students after the incident
- In the early hours of Monday, staff told off large groups gathered together
- Some deliberately coughed in the face of the staff and failed to give their names
- Porters and deans will now wear body cameras and report incidents to police
Students at Oxford University coughed in the face of staff who were telling them off for ignoring social distancing guidelines.
A dean at St Catherine’s College rebuked the students for their ‘total disregard’ of the rules in an email seen by The Times.
Staff will now wear body cameras after the shocking incident, which the dean reported with ‘great sadness and disappointment’.
Students at Oxford University coughed in the face of staff at St Catherine’s College (pictured)
When challenged for flouting the social distancing guidelines, the students refused to give their names.
Some then coughed in the direction of the junior deans and porters.
In the email, a dean said the incident took place in the early hours of Monday, when three junior deans and one porter tried to disperse large groups.
The students had gathered in the junior common room, a marquee and in a number of staircases.
The email read: ‘Some of the students refused to give their names and agreed to disperse only when presented with the prospect of police involvement.
Staff will now wear body cameras after the shocking incident, which the dean reported with ‘great sadness and disappointment’ (file image of masked students at Oxford)
‘Some particularly reprehensible individuals chose to express their displeasure by coughing in the junior deans’ direction.’
From now on, the junior deans and porters will be equipped with body cameras and will be supported by university security staff.
They will also call police if they ever feel threatened or see potentially criminal activity.
Students who breach the college rules could face suspension or a permanent mark on their academic record.