If you wish to bring an external speaker to campus, please complete the following:

1. Review our updated External Speaker Approval Procedure and Freedom of Speech Policy

2. Complete the External Speaker Request Form and send your speaker our External Speaker Briefing Form to review and email their agreement (the speaker cannot be booked if they do not agree to this form)

3. Please save the External Speaker Request Form with the following file name format: <external speaker name> – <academic year>

Upload your External Speaker Request Form

4. Email the Activities Manager your signed External Speaker Briefing Form.

Next Steps

  • The Union Activities Zone staff team will review and assess your request form. Requests will be rated low, medium of high risk, by considering the information provided on the form, balanced against our commitment to Freedom of Speech on campus and our legal obligations.
    • If rated a low-risk event, the request will be approved with no conditions.
    • If rated a medium-risk event, then a member of the Activities Zone staff team will contact you to provide support to ensure the event can go ahead safely. There may be some conditions attached to the event
    • If rated a high-risk event, the Union will need to consult with senior Union and University staff who will work to see if/how the event can proceed. There will be conditions placed upon the event.
  • You will receive email confirmation from the Student Activities staff team saying your event can proceed with or without conditions. Once you have agreed to any conditions you can proceed to plan, promote and advertise your event. Please note, you must include our Freedom of Speech Notice on your event descriptions where possible, including online descriptions of the event on What’s On listings and Social Media descriptions.

“Surrey Students’ Union is committed to providing a forum that facilitates Freedom of Speech while providing a safe space for our members and the public. We support events that contribute to the non-academic development or students while requesting that all speakers and attendees are respectful of the beliefs and opinions of others, as well as the law that protect individuals and groups from intimidation, discrimination and harassment. By attending a Union event you are agreeing to uphold our policies regarding Freedom of Speech. Any breach of the Union Policies and procedures may result in your event and speech being curtailed and referred as appropriate for further action to be taken.”

For further information, please continue to refer to the External Speaker Approval Procedure.