Keble College are to appeal against the decision of an employment tribunal which labelled the college "institutionally racist" and found it guilty of unfair dismissal and racial discrimination.
Diamond Versi, formerly head accountant at Keble, sued the college in January 2005, claiming he had been discriminated against because of his Asian origins. At the employment tribunal he singled out Keble's bursar, Mr Roger Boden, and alleged that Boden's decision to sack Versi was unjustified and racially motivated. The tribunal agreed, paving the way for Mr Versi to potentially claim around a quarter of a million pounds from Keble and giving him leave to claim personal damages from Mr Boden. However, the college has announced that it will appeal against the ruling of the tribunal.
In a statement, Keble warden, Professor Averil Cameron said: "The College and our Bursar, Mr Roger Boden, will be appealing jointly against the Employment Tribunal's decision in the case of unfair dismissal and race discrimination that was brought by Mr Diamond Versi, a former member of our College staff." For legal reasons she could not comment further on the case.
The Oxford Student understands Keble have changed their solicitors for the appeal. Keble JCR President Mohsin Zaidi, who has publicly defended the college, said he supported the decision: "I'm glad to hear that the college is appealing and hope that it is successful."
The college has insisted the appeal does not contradict its commitment to equality of opportunity at Keble and has acknowledged that it is calling on the expertise of outsiders to ensure that it does not leave itself open to future accusations of racism. In an e-mail sent to all members of the student body, staff and fellows, Professor Cameron said: "I want to emphasise that this step will not divert or distract either myself, Mr Boden or the College from the commitment [to equality of opportunity]."
She told The Oxford Student: "Despite lodging notice of appeal we are indeed looking hard at Human Resources provision in the College and at all issues of equality, and are working both with the University and with external advisers. We are also very conscious of the need to reassure the Keble community on all these points."
The college will now enlist the help of external Human Resource advisors who will undertake a strategic review on all aspects of Keble's HR management. Meetings will take place with both the University's Diversity and Equal Opportunities Unit and representatives of the HEFCE Equality Challenge Unit.