EU Referendum: should we stay or should we go?

Wednesday, 06 April 2016

EU Referendum: should we stay or should we go?

It is the biggest decision for the UK in more than a generation - the first vote on our membership of the European Union since 1975.

And as voters must be aged 18 and over (see links below), students could have a huge impact on the final outcome. 

So on Thursday 21 April, join the University of Reading and Reading University Students’ Union (RUSU) to discuss and debate the arguments to Leave or Remain.

This is your chance to pose your questions to our external speakers and academic experts on both sides of the debate ahead of the ballot on 23 June.

See our events listing for more, and click here to register your attendance.

For more information on the EU Referendum, see the following: 

• Britain Stronger in Europe: http://www.strongerin.co.uk
• Vote Leave campaign: http://www.voteleavetakecontrol.org/campaign
• The Electoral Commission: http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/find-information-by-subject/elections-and-referendums/upcoming-elections-and-referendums/eu-referendum
• NUS on EU Referendum: http://www.nusconnect.org.uk/winning-for-students/campaigns/eu-referendum
• Generation Vote: https://twitter.com/hashtag/generationvote?src=hash
• Gov.uk voter eligibility guidelines: https://www.gov.uk/elections-in-the-uk/referendums
• Gov.uk voter registration: https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

The University of Reading as an institution is taking a strictly neutral and impartial stance in the EU referendum campaign. 

Our academic, non-academic staff and students are free to campaign on either side of the debate in a personal capacity. 

Universities are places of debate, discussion and analysis. Academic freedom and freedom of speech is enshrined in our Royal Charter and constitution. 

The thousands of members of the University hold a variety of views which we respect – we will be making sure that any official events on EU membership hosted on campus are balanced and present both sides of the debate.

The University will be supporting the Generation Vote campaign so as many students as possible make sure their voice is heard.

Universities UK is campaigning for continued membership of the EU through the Universities for Europe campaign. UUK is a representative body for 132 university Vice-Chancellors and CEOs. Our Vice-Chancellor, Sir David Bell, is a member of the UUK Board. 

The Vice-Chancellor and members of the University Executive Board, in a personal capacity, support the UUK position.

The University receives EU-funded research grants and collaboration with partner universities, industry and organisations. All academic activity is carried out without fear nor favour, based purely on the quality of research, teaching and learning.