Here is Coventry University’s response to our Freedom of Information request:

Q: Does your HE establishment have a policy on the use of fur?

A: No we don’t have an official policy and there are no official documents

Q: Does real fur feature in any of your fashion or design courses, and if so, in what way?

A: The use of real fur is not written in to any of our modules

Q: What financial support, including sponsored competitions do you receive from the fur industry?

A: We receive no financial support from the fur industry. Last year we did verbally offer the students the opportunity to enter a real fur competition that was sent in to us, we didn’t publish the competition on the website and the competition was offered in addition to the course rather than a requirement for a module. Students were told to come and collect a copy of the brief if they were interested but no one enquired about the brief. The students received a lecture on ethical issues in relation to environmental, human and animal rights issues in relation to the fashion industry before the competition was offered

Q: Does your HE establishment allow or facilitate the fur industry to promote design competitions, summer schools, sponsorships, internships, or scholarships?

A: No, other than as outlined above.

This university has no clear stance on the use of fur.

Real fur is cruel and unnecessary. Please urge the University to adopt a fur free policy.  Email: Angela Armstrong, Course Director and Assistant Professor in Fashion, angela.armstrong@coventry.ac.uk  Ann Muirhead, Course Director in International Fashion Business and Assistant Professor in Fashion, ann.muirhead@coventry.ac.uk