It's a vital aspect of British life, but buying a round in the pub has been branded potentially triggering for students at a top university.
A warning was slapped on a sociology lecture about 'money and finance' which addressed topics including picking up bar tabs at the University of Manchester.
Undergraduates were given links to a university-run emergency suicide helpline and counselling service in case the financial focus of the lecture was too distressing.
And the lecturer gave a verbal warning before opening discussions to enable students to leave if they found the themes too upsetting, an attendee revealed.
One of the lecture's key focuses was the stress caused by buying a round at the pub – deemed to be an uncomfortable financial issue for cash-strapped students.
Buying a round of drinks at a pub is a vital aspect of British life, but buying a round in the pub has been branded potentially triggering for students
A warning was slapped on a sociology lecture about 'money and finance' which addressed topics including picking up bar tabs at the University of Manchester
One student said: 'A few heads turned when they mentioned a trigger warning for a topic like that.
I think my initial thought was, 'If you're going to put a trigger warning on a topic such as finance then everything's going to need a trigger warning, especially in a subject like sociology.' '
Professor Dennis Hayes, director of Academics for Academic Freedom, lambasted the university for insulting students.
He said: 'There is an endless list of things now said to be triggering or are labelled microaggressions. They may just seem silly but they point to something very serious.'
He said that this approach 'insults students by treating them as if they can't cope', while self-censoring academics, adding: 'What lies behind this silliness is a campus culture in which 'make sure no one takes offence' is the unwritten rule. It is a censorious culture that undermines the academic duty of criticism.'
The lecture in November also dealt with inheritance issues, rising prices and how to split bills. Despite the warning, no one opted to walk out.
Money and finance are not included by the University of Manchester on a list of topics they outline may merit trigger warnings, such as genocide, violence, murder and sexual assault.
The lecture in November also dealt with inheritance issues, rising prices and how to split bills
A university spokesman said: 'Students are being affected by the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and financial problems can be especially difficult for young people to deal with.
'We take the welfare of our students very seriously, and we have a duty of care towards them.
'This lecture simply pointed attendees towards the free mental health support the university provides for students who may be having financial difficulties, which includes a counselling service, a 24/7 helpline and a wellbeing app.
'We also provide a cost-of-living support fund to ensure that none of our students are left struggling.'
Article / Archive
A warning was slapped on a sociology lecture about 'money and finance' which addressed topics including picking up bar tabs at the University of Manchester.
Undergraduates were given links to a university-run emergency suicide helpline and counselling service in case the financial focus of the lecture was too distressing.
And the lecturer gave a verbal warning before opening discussions to enable students to leave if they found the themes too upsetting, an attendee revealed.
One of the lecture's key focuses was the stress caused by buying a round at the pub – deemed to be an uncomfortable financial issue for cash-strapped students.
Buying a round of drinks at a pub is a vital aspect of British life, but buying a round in the pub has been branded potentially triggering for students
A warning was slapped on a sociology lecture about 'money and finance' which addressed topics including picking up bar tabs at the University of Manchester
One student said: 'A few heads turned when they mentioned a trigger warning for a topic like that.
I think my initial thought was, 'If you're going to put a trigger warning on a topic such as finance then everything's going to need a trigger warning, especially in a subject like sociology.' '
Professor Dennis Hayes, director of Academics for Academic Freedom, lambasted the university for insulting students.
He said: 'There is an endless list of things now said to be triggering or are labelled microaggressions. They may just seem silly but they point to something very serious.'
He said that this approach 'insults students by treating them as if they can't cope', while self-censoring academics, adding: 'What lies behind this silliness is a campus culture in which 'make sure no one takes offence' is the unwritten rule. It is a censorious culture that undermines the academic duty of criticism.'
The lecture in November also dealt with inheritance issues, rising prices and how to split bills. Despite the warning, no one opted to walk out.
Money and finance are not included by the University of Manchester on a list of topics they outline may merit trigger warnings, such as genocide, violence, murder and sexual assault.
The lecture in November also dealt with inheritance issues, rising prices and how to split bills
A university spokesman said: 'Students are being affected by the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and financial problems can be especially difficult for young people to deal with.
'We take the welfare of our students very seriously, and we have a duty of care towards them.
'This lecture simply pointed attendees towards the free mental health support the university provides for students who may be having financial difficulties, which includes a counselling service, a 24/7 helpline and a wellbeing app.
'We also provide a cost-of-living support fund to ensure that none of our students are left struggling.'
Article / Archive
