Sheffield Hallam University investigates library staff allegedly calling black student a 'monkey'

‘I was in complete shock at the way he casually said it’

A Sheffield Hallam University student has claimed that a security guard used the racial slur when he left his card in the library

A university has launched an investigation after a black student was allegedly called a “monkey” by a member of staff at its library.

A Sheffield Hallam student, who wishes to remain anonymous, claims that a security guard referred to him as “a monkey” when he accidentally left his student card in the library.

“I was in complete shock and upset at the way he casually said it,” the student told The Tab.

He said he asked the member of staff to let him in to the library after he forgot his student card – and then as he walked in, the security guard allegedly made the remark to a colleague.

“He proceeded to let me in then turned to his colleague as I walked away and said ‘You know I get right annoyed with that monkey’, referring to me as the ‘monkey’,” the final year student said.

He reported the incident to the university on Monday to raise awareness of racism on campus.

The incident comes after a banana was reportedly thrown at a black Sheffield Hallam graduate during an ice hockey match between his alma mater and city rivals, the University of Sheffield.

Students are planning to protest in Sheffield on Friday over the handling of racism on campus.

A Sheffield Hallam University spokesperson said: “Racism and hate speech are absolutely not welcome in our university community, and won’t be tolerated.

“We have been in contact with the student to offer our support and we have launched an investigation into the incident.

“No one should be made to feel vulnerable, unwelcome or at risk.

“We continue to champion the importance of student wellbeing, the codes of behaviour and the fundamental right to respect and equality without prejudice.”

The incidents in Sheffield come after two 18-year-old males were arrested after a Nottingham Trent University student posted video footage of racist chants in her student halls.

A student captured two males chanting “We hate the blacks” outside her bedroom door.

And members of a student law society at the University of Exeter were suspended after private WhatsApp conversations containing racist comments were shared on social media.