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Me in a rare cheerful mood

So the OU supports illegal sanctions?

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The USA's sanctions against Cuba have been declared illegal by the UN many times over the 50+ years the blockade has been in place. Israel is the only country that supports the USA in this illegal economic stranglehold placed on the Cuban people by its huge nearby neighbour.

It includes food, credit, travel and medicine.

I did not realise it included education.

Nor did I realise the Open University also supports this illegal blockade.

If I had known this, I would never had started studying here.

Now I have a personal ethical dilemma.  Do I continue to fund the OU's support for this illegal blockade by doing my final module with them, or go backwards and complete my degree with an ethical university?

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Me in a rare cheerful mood

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Apparently this ban has been in place since 2014.

Also, apparently it is likely to be illegal under the Equalities Act 2010.

Also, apparently the Equalities and Human Rights Commission are investigating (The Telegraph).

Coverage in The Guardian.

What you can do about it on the Cuba Solidary Campaign web site, such as a sample letter to your MP and a sample letter to the OU.


Odd that trying to Google more about it, most of the results are historical ones about the strengthening of ties between the UK and Cuba by the OU.


So this is what living on Airstrip One will be like, post-Brexit.

Me in a rare cheerful mood

I've done my bit about the OU's Cuba ban - possibly a Pyrrhic act

I've emailed my MP.

I've emailed the OU management.

When I get home I'll raise it on FaceBook.

And I've sent a difficult message to the Student Support Team:


Thank you, your query has been sent.

Name (PI):Simon Reed (M1234567)
Your email:me@mydomain
Subject:Changing my study plans
Query:I have just seen the message about blocking Cubans from studying with the OU as the OU supports the USA's illegal sanctions against Cuba.

Please do not do this. I have only one module left to go to finish my degree and if this ban has not been dropped before my module starts, I will have to complete my degree with an ethical university instead.

I am a UK citizen, by the way.

To be clear, I will be obliged to cease my studies with the OU if this ban is not dropped by September. I really, really, really do not want to do this.


My wife might kill me when I tell her.  Or respect me for sticking to my principles.

SXR103 chemistry is fun (2008) :-)

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I was shocked when I read the message on StudentHome. 

I find it utterly appalling that the USA can determine whom the OU accepts as a student. evil

I have been to Cuba, with an ethical conpany that puts as much of the holiday price and holiday cash as possible into the Cuban economy. Cuba lays such great store by their education programmes (particulalrly in medicine) that accept students from other parts of the world. OU reallly should be supporting them with reciprocal access to education.

Jan

Me in a rare cheerful mood

OU also in contravention of The Protection of Trading Interests Order?

From MintPress News (whoever they are) Under US Pressure, Britain University Bans Students From Cuba:

"...in acting on U.S. blockade legislation over U.K. law, the OU are in breach of a 1996 law passed by the British government.  The Protection of Trading Interests Order prevents U.K. companies from complying with foreign countries’ legislation above U.K. law and punishes those who do so with penalties."

but also:

"the OU is accredited in the U.S. by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, an institutional accrediting agency, recognized by the United States Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. It is one of only three British universities with this accreditation."

which looks like the explanation for the policy.

I am appalled the OU allows commercial interests to over-ride the law and international opinion.

Least Famous 'Influencer' Ever

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What's this?

'The US has comprehensive sanctions in place against a number of countries, including Cuba, meaning that it is not lawful for organisations subject to US jurisdiction to supply educational services to those countries without a licence.'

Since when did the Open University become an 'organisation(s) subject to US jurisdiction'? It's based in the United Kingdom, not the USA. Is Milton Keynes now a secret province of 'Merica?

Same thing happened with the Internet, Google and the Millennium Act - which kept popping up to inform me that 'searches have been removed' due to US law. Strange, because I thought I lived in Britain, not the US. It constantly confused me why on Earth I should care about American law - or why Google thought I should care, and, worse, enforce that law on me as a foreigner.

It's is very disappointing news that the Open University believes it must conform to foreign laws. People bang on about the E.U. but at least we actually joined that club. This US crap just feels like imperialism.

Perhaps the O.U. should ask North Korea, Cuba, etc. what their laws are on this matter and make sure we enforce them too. What about Burundi? What do they have to say about it? Lets just let everyone make our laws for us! We are so F-ed! This makes no sense at all. black eye

Least Famous 'Influencer' Ever

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Oh, I've just seen your explanation for some of my questions, Simon.

I think the university should give up its US accreditation and maintain its integrity.

SXR103 chemistry is fun (2008) :-)

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I see you've raised the matter with OUSA approve

It took me sometime to track down the appropriate place. I was looking for the old OUSA Matters forum to find out what the OUSA position is.  They've made that read-only and replaced it by something with a very different name.

A very luke-warm "old news" response so far from the old guard. sad

It's not old news. It was on StudentHome today.

2021

Good blog post

I note that other UK educational establishments do not have trouble accepting students who are Cuban nationals.

Me in a rare cheerful mood

The NUT has objected to the OU's discrimination

The General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers has written to the Open University objecting to the discrimination against Cubans.  The open letter is on their web site and can be read here.

If you would like the OU Students Association to review their policies regarding discrimination against students and so be able to make a comment either in support or opposition of the OU's ban on some foreign nationals, and you are an OU student, please add your name to the list here.

Me in a rare cheerful mood

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Someone else mentioned the Guardian article about this on Facebook.  Someone went on about it being dodgy Cubans going overseas to study!

Anyway, my posting the link to my blog asking for supporters resulted in:

Calling a halt here: gentle reminders to (1) not link dump and (2) not attack each other. Ta! (Admin)
An admin turned off commenting for this post.

No criticising of the OU in that group, then!

Me in a rare cheerful mood

My deadline for the OU to adhere to UK anti-discrimination law: 20th October

The Student Support Team have been in touch to tell me what the OU's position is with regard to Cuban students, which is the same as the message that has been posted already.

I got the impression the SST staff member was unaware the OU is acting illegally but stuck firmly to the party line.

Apparently one has until 13 days after a module begins to withdraw without there being any fee implications.  My final module, DD301, starts on 7th October.  So the OU has until 20th October to sort out this business of getting a licence from the USA government to permit them to deal with Cubans, Syrians, Sudanese, North Korean and Iranian students and adhere to UK law.  If they fail to do so, I'll have put myself into a very difficult position.

Me in a rare cheerful mood

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PS She was under the impression it was UK law preventing the OU dealing with Cubans.  Also, she also did not understand why I cared since it is nothing to do with me.  I had to explain about my desire to do a human rights related Master's Degree and it would be embarrassing to explain I did my undergrad degree at an unethical, law-breaking, discriminating university.  She said I wouldn't need to if I did it with the OU.  I had to point out the OU does not do any human rights related Masters Degrees.  Oh, the irony.

Me in a rare cheerful mood

My MP is responding to the OU's stance on Cubans

I emailed my MP, Cat Smith, regarding the OU's position on Cuban students.  I was not expecting a reply.  I was not expecting this reply:


Dear Simon

Thank you for your email sent on 26th July 2017 regarding the Open University.
 
As Chair of the APPG (All-Party Parliamentary Group) on Cuba I was alarmed to hear of the Open University’s policy of barring applications of Cuban students. I agree that this stance is discriminatory and contradicts the mission of the university which is  “to be open to people, places, methods and ideas”. Paradoxically this ban is being implemented at a time when the UK Government is looking at how it can strengthen higher education links with Cuba.
 
I understand that the Equality and Human Rights Commission are currently investigating this matter but I agree that the Government should intervene to bring this regressive stance taken by the Open University to an end. I would be very happy to write to the Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation putting your points to him and request that he respond to them. I will write to you again once I have received a reply.
 
In the meantime if you feel I can be of any further assistance on this or any other matter please do not hesitate to get in touch.
 
Yours sincerely,

Cat Smith
Member of Parliament for Lancaster and Fleetwood

HOUSE OF COMMONS



The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Cuba.

Nik Domican

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wow Simon.

Well done, you've made more progress than I ever thought possible.  You have an actual answer from a politician, not merely spin / "it's that other lot's fault".  I didn't realise a few blog posts were so effective.  I am totally in awe of you approve

Me in a rare cheerful mood

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Nik,

Thank you.  As of this evening I'm totally in awe of me!

I decided in 2012 to throw away a career in IT to go into war prevention and it has been a voyage of discovery just how hard it is to be an 'activist' and get results.  The status quo has immense linear momentum, public opinion has incredible static friction and whoever is in charge can U-turn on a whim.  To be an individual wanting change is a tiny voice whispering directions in the wilderness.

I have been surprised today that sometimes you whisper the right words and the wind takes them to someone listening who cares and with more influence.

It reminds me of the famous professional golfer years ago who said "It's funny, but the more I practice, the luckier I get".  Sometimes you get lucky.

My Lesson Learned today is: don't give up.  Keep banging on about issues you care about and either the volume will get too loud to be ignored or someone with more rhythm will take up the beat.  (Reading that back, it sounds pants!)

Nik Domican

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Reading mine back it sounds a bit patronising, I realise you have done far more than a few blog posts.  Someone with more rhythm & contacts at a record label perhaps.

Me in a rare cheerful mood

Sorry for the comment spam, btw

It was not patronising at all, Nik.  You added to the surprised warm glow I was feeling.

Although I know I haven't actually changed anything (yet?), I am surprised it is possible to have any influence on anything.

What it has done is have me looking at Master's Degree entry requirements a little more closely.  I think I may be able to enrol at one of the universities that say "2:1 honours degree or better.  Relevant professional qualifications and experience will also be considered."  I have done enough to qualify for a degree without honours (at 2:1 equivalent level) and been doing relevant voluntary work for a few years.

So my Good Lady Wife is bullying encouraging me to put in MA course applications this weekend at such universities.  Maybe, perhaps, I'll get away with not having to do the final module at all, which will shave a year of my plan.  And I could always come back to the OU to get the Honours bit at a later date when they've sorted out their ethical priorities.


Apologies for the comments to my blog consuming all the comments list.  I could not think of any other way of capturing validated names of validated OU students.

And yes, we have had a gigolo advertise his services on here before.  I wish I had 10% of his self-confidence.

Me in a rare cheerful mood

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Gosh. This was already a concern in high places.

On 20th July Baroness Hooper, the Deputy Speaker in the House of Lords, raised a written question to the Department of Education asking whether the government has approached the OU about this. There has not yet been an answer.


Open University: Overseas Students:Written question - HL1147

Asked by Baroness Hooper
Asked on: 20 July 2017
Department for Education
Open University: Overseas Students

HL1147
Her Majesty's Government whether ministers or officials have had any discussions with the Open University on its use of a restricted countries list in its application process, in particular in relation to Cuba.


Me in a rare cheerful mood

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But I did get involved and take action before Caroline Lucas, leader of the Green Party, publicly called it "a ridiculous ban".  smile  https://twitter.com/CarolineLucas/status/893048251712196608

And before publisher, writer and Open University Honorary Doctorate, Dame Carmen Callil DBE, who also feels it is "damaging to the reputation of the OU and all those connected with the institution".  http://www.cuba-solidarity.org.uk/news/article/3447/dame-carmen-callil-writes-to-ou-against-cuban-students-ban
Me in a rare cheerful mood

UK-Cuba Memorandum of Understanding in enhancing co-operation in higher education

There is a 'Memorandum of Understanding' between the UK and Cuban governments for 'enhancing co-operation in higher education'.  It was signed in April last year.  The full text of this short document is below, but with my highlighting:



Memorandum of Understanding between the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Ministry of Higher Education of the Republic of Cuba on enhancing cooperation in higher education

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Ministry of Higher Education of the Republic of Cuba, hereinafter referred to as the participants;

Recognising the maturing bilateral relations and the importance of enhancing mechanisms for consultations on issues of mutual interest;

Welcoming the commitment of both countries to higher education and the quality of higher education provided in the countries’ universities and other institutes for further education;

Welcoming the intention of the Cuban government to ensure all university students graduate with proficiency in and a command of the English language;

Have reached an understanding to develop relations between the Participants in the field of higher education by:

  • Encouraging and facilitating direct co-operation, contacts and exchanges between people, universities, institutions and organisations concerned with higher education in the two countries;
  • Enhancing links between universities in the two countries;
  • Encouraging and supporting the teaching and testing of the English language in Cuban universities.

Recognising in addition the positive state of bilateral relations, and the importance of strengthening consultative mechanisms in areas of mutual interest.

In the context of the process of updating Cuba’s economic and social model, the participants will strengthen bilateral dialogue and cooperation in the area of public administration, through:

  • The exchange of experiences in order to strengthen public administration systems, taking into account best international practice;
  • Capacity building, including training and development programmes.

This Memorandum will come into effect on the date of signature and remain in operation thereafter unless terminated by either of the participants with ninety days’ written notice.

Signed in Havana on 28 April 2016, in English and Spanish, in two original copies, both texts being equally valid.

The Rt Hon Philip Hammond, MP,
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
HE Rodolfo Abel Alarcón Ortíz
Minister of Higher Education of the
Republic of Cuba


Me in a rare cheerful mood

Another written Q&A in Hansard regarding OU & Cuba

There has been another mention in Hansard (the official record of parliamentary proceedings) regarding the OU's ban on Cuban students.  This was a written answer last week directed at the Department of Education about what involvement they have had.  What I can see here is a succession of drip-fed questions from interested politicians slowly drilling down into the issue.  It is a glacial and painful process but it does work eventually.

The response has changed since the evasive one given by the Home Secretary.  It is now detailing more about how we have a good relationship with Cuba, there's no reason to support sanctions, and then:

"we understand that private organisations such as the Open University have to take decisions about their exposure to sanctions on the basis of commercial considerations, their own legal advice and appropriate risk assessments."

Ouch.  I've learned a little with my involvement with a political lobbying organisation this past few years to realise the significance of the subtle change.  The government seems to be saying "Don't look at us, we're the good guys - this is all the OU's doing and they're on their own with this one".

Hopefully that should give the OU pause for thought: they are out on a limb and the government won't make excuses for their illegal acts of discrimination.