The University of Melbourne reports it “experienced conflict” throughout 2024, in its first racism report, with protests over the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Incidents included:
- An encampment on the Parkville campus
- Occupation of the Arts West Building
- “Reported classroom incursions”
- An “incursion” into a staff member’s office. While not named, the reference appears to be to physicist Professor Steven Prawer who is Jewish.
The occupation and “incursion” led to 17 students being reprimanded. Four staff members were “subject to performance and misconduct actions.”
The university also states there were 112 reports “related to the Middle East conflict” last year; 24 alleging anti-Semitism. “Students who made reports were provided advice and offered support or referral where appropriate.”
The information is in the university’s first Annual Report of Racism on Campus, in which it acknowledges, its systems under-report incidents, especially incidents of “everyday racism.”
The report also refers to,
- 33 allegations that staff committed acts of discrimination, harassment or vilification. Of the two that led to misconduct proceedings, one is pending and an employee was dismissed over the other.
- Nine complaints against students, seven of which were “out of scope” or lacked sufficient information. One of the others was referred to the student discipline community.
- Seven complaints relating to student experiences in teaching and learning. These variously led to a review of subject guidelines, “restorative meetings” between students and teaching staff and staff counselled on specific complaints
- Two (unspecified) complaints about university systems and services. One was upheld and a change made.
The racism report emphasises the small scale of last year’s disruptions, stating that across 15,145 teaching activities in first semester 2024, there were three reports of protests in classrooms, “relating to the politics of the Middle East conflict” and that “no formal complaints were received.”
However, present Vice-Chancellor Emma Johnston, who commenced in February has acted to prevent a repeat of the 2024 disruptions. A Vice-Chancellors Rule now forbids indoor protests and states they must not obstruct or “unreasonably disrupt” activities or operations. Students in breach can be banned from sitting exams. It can be a serious misconduct matter for staff.