University of Sydney ‘did a good job’ in handling pro-Palestine encampment despite criticism, inquiry told

The University of Sydney vice-chancellor has told a parliamentary inquiry that staff “did a good job in peacefully resolving” the longest-running pro-Palestine encampment in the country despite leaders having “apologised” over its handling of the camp to Jewish students. Sydney’s largest and most exclusive universities appeared before a parliamentary committee into anti-Semitism in NSW on Monday to explain what challenges they have faced since October 7, 2023, and what measures they have implemented to combat allegations of anti-Semitism. Among them was The University of Sydney, which has come under fire for its handling of a pro-Palestine encampment, including emails last month that revealed that staff mulled over providing a separate entrance that could be used by Jewish students during mid-year exams last year. In her opening address, USYD vice-chancellor Annamarie Jagose acknowledged the university “did not get everything right” in responding to the aftermath of Hamas’s October 7 attacks on Israel and subsequent protests and had implemented changes to its speech and security policies. “We have, however, committed to learn from these hugely challenging and complex events and from the experiences of other universities around the world and to listen to those who would work with us to ensure our campuses are safe and welcoming for all,” Professor Jagose said. Asked later about why the university didn’t “shut down” the months-long encampment, Professor Jagose told the committee that staff “did a good job in peacefully resolving the longest running encampment in Australia”, with an “absolutely clear policy to de-escalate, to keep calm”. Professor Jagose and external engagement vice-president Kirsten Andrews refuted many allegations levelled at the university during Monday’s hearing, including emails containing minutes that outlined plans to provide a separate entrance for exams amid the encampment. The email, dated May 14, detailed discussions about mitigations to be implemented during the exam, namely ensuring “Jewish students have ways to avoid the encampment when gaining entry to exams”, though USYD had refuted that the entrance was intended for Jewish students. “These included offering different access options for all students or staff wishing to avoid the encampment, and we installed electronic signage where exams were taking place to remind members of the encampment that disruptions would not be tolerated,” USYD said in a statement, Universities grappling with fallout from October 7 Professor Jagose told the committee that USYD received 400 complaints based on “behaviour, commentary, etc” across the first half of 2024 – during which the two-month pro-Palestine encampment was operating – about a quarter of which were substantiated. Further to its handling of the protest, USYD has also faced criticism of its subsequent policy changes, including a “new civility rule” requiring speakers at the university to “make the meaning of contested words and phrases clear”, increased security, and changes to campus access. Labor MLC Stephen Lawrence grilled Professor Jagose over whether the changes impeded freedom of speech. “This is a very contested political space and one would like to see more detail in terms of material to justify what I would suggest are pretty substantial incursions on free speech and changes to campus law,” Mr Lawrence said, noting USYD’s independent Hodgkinson review. In response, Professor Jagose said “the balance here is to enable staff and students to experience the USYD as a safe workplace and a safe place to study, regardless of their political orientations. So, the policies as a suite preserves those that you can access your classroom without disruption. “That if you’re inside a building, you are not going to encounter protest action and so forth. “But, while nevertheless enabling and supporting, protests continue on our campuses.” The hearing is the second into anti-Semitism in NSW and was established following a wave of anti-Semitic attacks in the state over the summer, many of which have since been linked to a criminal conspiracy debate that is being canvassed by a separate parliamentary inquiry. Universities around the world grappled with an outpouring of protests and counter-protests following the October 7 attacks as pro-Palestine encampments became widespread, including allegations that the actions of protesters made Jewish students and staff feel unsafe on campus. The Australian universities appearing on Monday morning, including USYD, UTS, and UNSW, each detailed wide-ranging changes to their social media and public speech, campus access, and security policies, including in the case of UYSD following an independent review. University of NSW vice-president Verity Firth AM said staff were “gravely concerned by the sharp escalation in anti-Semitic events that have occurred in the wake of the appalling events of October 7” and “deeply distressed by the ongoing conflict and tragic loss of life” in the Middle East. “As a university, our foremost responsibility is to ensure that all members of our community students, academic and professional staff can engage in, study, research and work in an environment that is secure, respectful and inclusive,” Professor Firth told the parliamentary inquiry. Since the protests, Professor Firth said the school had updated its anti-racism policy to include anti-religious vilification, employed additional guards, increased “connectivity” with law enforcement, and revised student orientation with a focus on the university’s code of conduct. University of Technology Sydney deputy vice-chancellor Kylie Readman told the committee that among other measures the school had also provided additional training to teaching staff, strengthening the complaints mechanism, and expanded student support services. Nonetheless, committee chair and NSW Shooters MLC Robert Brosak grilled all three campuses over the policies at the time of October 7 that they claimed were well established and, rather than being deficient, needed a “deep look” and to be “updated”, Professor Firth said. More to come