This year, the University of Brighton has urged its staff not to say “Christmas” since it may upset certain students; instead, they are to refer to the christmas break as the “winter closure period.”
It follows claims by Brighton officials that the term Christmas is too “Christian-centric,” despite the fact that it commemorates the birth of Christ.
In addition, a nine-page document sent to professors at the institution contains ‘millennial snowflakes’ and other ‘offensive’ terms.
The Freedom Association’s Andrew Allison said, “Universities are supposed to be places where ideas are freely debated.”
“This is Orwellian and ridiculous. Staff and students “ought to ignore it and have a good Christmas.’
The nine-page document given to Brighton employees stated: “The purpose of this guidance document is to empower staff to use inclusive language confidently and effectively, in order to ensure that both students and staff alike feel safe, valued and respected.
“Prevailing attitudes, misconceptions and stereotypes are embedded within modes of communication, and these factors are sometimes reflected – whether consciously or not – in the language that we use when communicating.
“This means communication…may be offensive when this is not our intention.”
Then, in a table directing staff on what not to say to students, the phrase “Christmas closure period” is advised to be replaced with “winter closure period.” This is intended to prevent the use of Christian-centric rhetoric.
Additionally, workers are instructed not to inquire about students’ Christian names. instead, the question should be “What is your first name?” as well as “What is your given name?”
In a statement issued to MailOnline, a University of Brighton spokeswoman said, “This guidance was produced with our staff and students and is part of our shared commitment to making Brighton a place where everyone feels respected and valued. The guidance is exactly that – guidance.”
They continued, “Words are not ‘banned’ at Brighton, and neither is Christmas – as is clear from the decorations and Christmas trees in our buildings and across our campuses”