The University of Sydney has proposed changes to its controversial Campus Access Policy, which some fear may come at a further risk to political expression on campus. The most recent proposals include requiring individuals visibly displaying banners to receive prior permission and restricting large staff emails expressing political topics.
This follows changes to the Campus Access Policy in July last year, which required students to provide notice when holding demonstrations on campus and restricted the placing of posters to designated poster spaces.
This spate of proposed changes was introduced in response to the Hodgkinson External Review released in November. Commissioned by the University’s Senate, the review examined the University’s policies and procedures following the end of the Pro-Palestinian encampment in July.
The review consisted of 15 recommendations, which collectively endeavour to balance the University’s “unwavering commitment to freedom of speech with the need to create a campus that is safe and welcoming to all”, according to Chancellor David Thodey AO.
Chief among these recommendations include the prohibition of encampments as a form of protest, along with barring student announcements at the start of lectures. Hodgkinson’s proposed Civility Rule is also notable, requiring “any speaker using University facilities to make the meaning of contested words and phrases clear to the audience.”
In a recent email to staff, the University announced a new proposal in line with the Hodgkinson Review to ban staff from sending mass emails on political topics to those without an “expressed interest.” Along with this, students now risk breaching University policy if they display banners “in a location where they can be seen” without receiving prior approval.
The ANU is set to implement its own new ‘Poster policy’ this year, after its initial proposal was met with heavy student concern. It is unclear at this stage how and whether the final policy will differ from the initial version released to students in October.
Similarly, the ANU’s University Physical Security policy, effective from August last year, restricted the use of campus “for a safe and secure working and learning environment”. Responding to the establishment of the ANU Gaza Solidarity Encampment, this designated sleeping on campus (outside of a residence) as a direct policy breach.
The USyd policy changes are currently subject to community consultation, with staff and students able to provide feedback until February 13.
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