King's College London has been criticised over a "deeply problematic" policy to hire £12-an-hour "safe space marshals" to patrol events checking there is no offensive content.
Job ads on KCL Student Union's website offers £11.89 per hour - £13.32 if holiday pay is included - to monitor student groups' talks "which have been risk assessed as having potential for a Safe Space breech [sic]".
Students mocked the policy after marshals monitored a talk by Tory MP Jacob Rees Mogg last Wednesday.
Student Jack Emsley, who attended the talk, wrote on Facebook: "Massive thanks to KCLSU for providing a fantastic safe space yesterday! I know that without the five Safe Space Marshals working tirelessly, I definitely couldn't have listened to Jacob Rees-Mogg without having my feelings seriously hurt!
"Definitely not a waste of paper, manpower or our money!"
The monitors are expected to put up "Safe Space posters" and take "immediate appropriate action" if the safe space policy is breached.
Guidance lays out the university's expectation that events should be "inclusive and supportive", adding: "KCLSU recognises discrimination can occur wherever it is not consciously challenged."
A "balance of opinions" is mandated at every event, and "freedom of speech is important, yet intention to incite hatred is never acceptable".
The marshals have the power to eject attendees - including speakers - from events if they do not comply.
Kings' Libertarian Society complained of the strict "safety" policy this week, writing on Facebook: "The wording of the policy is principle holds that ‘KCLSU believes all students should be free from intimidation or harassment, resulting from prejudice or discrimination on the grounds of… ideology or culture, or any other form of distinction’ and is deeply problematic as it protects the status of student ideologies and cultures, which should not be above scrutiny."
It noted that KCLSU has "never actually no platformed a speaker" but adds that the Safe Space marshal system "creates an environment in which students are treated as if they need chaperones and supervisors to hold their events, which is deeply patronising and takes away student autonomy".
The safe space marshals scheme began in 2015, but many students are still surprised by and opposed to the policy.
A King's College London spokesman told the MailOnline: "Universities have a unique challenge to create environments in which open and uncensored debate from all sides on issues of political, scientific, moral, ethical and religious significance can take place without fear of intimidation and within the framework of the law.
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"We are proud of our diverse community and are absolutely committed to academic freedom and free, peaceful and respectful dialogue where people have conflicting views."
