University of Sydney Addresses Campus Safety, Free Speech After Tumultuous Events

University Addresses Campus Safety and Free Speech After Tumultuous Events

Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today.

Learning From Difficult Times

Since the horrific attacks of October 7 and in the midst of the ongoing and heart-wrenching war in Gaza, universities worldwide grapple with the impact of these disruptive events on their students and staff. We, too, have felt the distress triggered across our university community by deeply held, sometimes oppositional views.

As I have said in previous hearings before parliament, we acknowledge at the University of Sydney that we did not get everything right. There are differing perspectives on some of our responses, particularly concerning the encampment earlier this year.

What we are unequivocally committed to doing is learning from these deeply challenging and complex events. We also seek to learn from the experiences of universities facing similar circumstances around the world and to listen to those who are willing to work with us to ensure our campuses are safe and welcoming havens for everyone.

A Focus on Safety and Inclusion

To that end, we have already implemented a significant number of changes to our policies, procedures, and practices. These changes are particularly focused on addressing antisemitism and creating a better experience for our Jewish students and staff. We believe these changes ultimately benefit the entire university community by fostering an environment where everyone feels respected and valued.

Independent Review: Endorsement and Recommendations

This week, we released the results of an independent review of our policies and processes, conducted by Bruce Hodgkinson AM SC.

The report endorses several of the key actions we have already undertaken, including:

• Our new Campus Access Policy, which establishes strict guidelines around planned protests and prohibits camping and protests within any University building;
• The comprehensive overhaul of our complaints systems;
• The review of relevant university policies to ensure they are clear, concise, and easy to understand.

In addition to these changes, we have enhanced campus security measures and improved our responsiveness to concerns such as offensive posters and graffiti.

Mr. Hodgkinson also provided valuable practical suggestions to enhance transparency, particularly to improve public confidence in our complaints and disciplinary procedures, and to promote a more civil discourse on campus. This includes a new rule that would place the responsibility on any speaker using university facilities to clearly explain the meaning of potentially contested words and phrases to their audience.

A Roadmap for the Future

I would welcome the opportunity to go into the Hodgkinson findings and recommendations in more detail today. As you will have heard this week, our Senate has accepted all 15 recommendations in principle and has delegated to me and the University Executive the task of designing a blueprint for consulting with the community and delivering on these recommendations. Together with the considerable work already underway, the Hodgkinson report provides us with a clear roadmap for ensuring a safe and welcoming campus for all students and staff while simultaneously safeguarding our commitment to free speech and academic freedom.

We are determined to do whatever is necessary to achieve that balance. As in the wider community, on university campuses, the fight against antisemitism — and all forms of discrimination — must never stop.

What specific policies or practices is the university considering implementing to address concerns ‌about free speech ‍while ensuring safety?

## Interview: Balancing Safety and Free Speech on Campus

**Host:** ⁤ Thank you for joining​ us today. The University of Sydney has been in the news recently for addressing concerns about campus safety ⁢and free speech in light of recent events. Can ⁢you shed some light on the university’s response?

**Guest:** Absolutely. We’ve been through a challenging period,⁣ reflecting on‌ the impact of global events and how they’ve manifested on campus. It’s been a time of⁢ deep reflection and a commitment‌ to learning from past experiences. The horrific attacks of October ⁣7th and the ongoing conflict in ​Gaza have understandably caused distress within our community, leading to robust discussions and sometimes opposing viewpoints.

**Host:** The university has acknowledged that ⁣not‌ everything was handled perfectly. Can ⁣you⁣ elaborate ‍on ⁣those areas needing improvement?

**Guest:** Yes, we recognize that there are differing​ perspectives on some of our responses. A key example is our handling of the encampment earlier this year, which sparked debate about balancing free speech with campus safety. We are committed to learning from these complex situations and ‌incorporating feedback from⁣ all stakeholders.

**Host:** You ​mentioned ⁣an independent review. What were its​ key findings and recommendations?

**Guest:** The‌ review, conducted by​ Bruce Hodgkinson AM SC, affirmed several actions‍ we’ve already taken, ‌including implementing a stricter Campus Access Policy and⁤ focusing on addressing ⁢antisemitism to create a more inclusive environment for Jewish students ‌and staff. The review also ⁤provided​ valuable recommendations for⁤ further improvement, ​ which we are actively considering.

**Host:** How does⁤ the university plan to address concerns about‌ free speech while ensuring the safety and well-being of all students‌ and staff?

**Guest:** It’s a delicate balance. Our goal is to create a campus where everyone feels comfortable expressing their views, while ensuring a safe and respectful environment for all.⁢ We are⁢ committed to open ‌dialog and working with students, staff, and ‍external experts to develop policies and ‍practices that uphold ‌both ⁢values.

​ **Host:** Thank you for sharing these insights. This is clearly⁢ an ongoing process for⁤ the University ‌of Sydney. We’ll‍ be watching closely as you continue to navigate these complex ⁤issues.

**Guest:** Thank you. We appreciate your interest and support as we work towards building a ​more inclusive and secure campus community. [[1](https://www.aft.org/highered/campus-free-speech-resources)]