Cardiff University’s IMG League has contacted teams after repeated concerns over alleged inappropriate social media presence.
The university’s Sports Development Officer, Ryan McHugh, sent multiple emails to IMG team representatives warning them that they had found evidence of inappropriate social media content. This included "content that may promote or depict excessive alcohol consumption, initiation-style activities, harmful or dangerous behaviour, harassment, humiliation or any other content that could be considered inappropriate, offensive or damaging to the reputation of your club or the wider IMG or Cardiff University brand".
The second email, sent two weeks later, urged all committees to "take immediate action to review their social media channels and remove or amend any content that could reasonably be considered inappropriate or inconsistent with the expectations outlined in [the] previous email", stating that "the fact that further concerning content has appeared since then makes it particularly important that this guidance is taken seriously".
A Cardiff University spokesperson declined to comment on which specific clubs or teams were the main perpetrators, stating that "we have asked all teams who have a social media presence to be committed to promoting responsible behaviour, respect between teams and individuals, and a positive sporting environment for everyone involved". They further reported that any future concerns "will be addressed in line with the relevant University procedure".
When asked how they will support students who may have been negatively affected by the activities depicted in the social media content, they stated that they "recognise the importance of supporting all students", and that "students who have any concerns are encouraged to report them through the appropriate university channels so that they can be considered and suitable support offered". However the university support system has been known to incur lengthy waiting times for students trying to access support.
Margherita Puccinelli, Cardiff University’s VP Sports and Athletics Union President, called the allegations “concerning”. In a statement for Gair Rhydd she stated that “all student group leaders [...] should understand their responsibilities and the standards of behaviour expected of them”, and that “all students should be able to participate in sporting and social activities in a safe, inclusive and respectful environment”.
When asked about the suitability of Cardiff University's centralised ‘Report and Support’ system for this issue, she stated she is “aware of frustrations students have expressed about the time it can take for reports submitted [through that system] to be addressed”. Margherita told us that she has already “reached out to Cardiff University Sport to better understand the current reporting mechanisms for IMG, including how concerns about student behaviour are raised”. She also expressed “hope to work with the University to identify where improvements can be made, particularly around the accessibility of reporting processes, communication w i t h students and the timeliness of responses." Margherita further emphasised that “students need to have confidence that when they raise concerns, these will be taken seriously and dealt with quickly”.
The university has made consistent attempts over the last academic year to crack down on initiation-style activities within sports societies to ensure student safety. Last academic year, Cardiff University’s Cricket team were suspended for the year after being found to have initiated Freshers in a manner which did not align with Cardiff University’s expectations. In this age of social media, it is becoming easier to spot when activities like these occur as most of what happens at student social events is captured and posted online.
There is no doubt that Cardiff University Sport is keeping a watchful eye on the content its teams put out. But the manner in which these incidents have been handled raises the question: if the university is unwilling to call out, or directly contact the individual clubs and teams responsible (instead, putting onus on all teams), will this actually do anything to dispel those responsible from repeating their actions?
"all students should be able to participate in sporting and social activities in a safe, inclusive and respectful environment"