This page provides information and statements in response to current matters, and will be updated as required to provide clarity on various topics.
Statement from UQ Chancellor, Peter Varghese
Friday 17 May 2024
The University of Queensland Senate met on 16 May to discuss the student protests and encampments on campus.
Senate was briefed by the Vice-Chancellor and expressed its full confidence in the Vice-Chancellor’s handling of the protests including referring issues to the police, as appropriate, and taking disciplinary action under UQ’s staff and student codes of conduct for behaviour going beyond legitimate protest including assault, destruction of property and hate speech.
Senate reaffirmed its commitment to freedom of expression as a foundational principle. It noted that this freedom did not extend to actions on University land which disrupted the orderly business of the University or posed a risk to the safety of staff or students. Nor did freedom of expression extend to speech intended or likely to humiliate, intimidate, harass or bully other persons.
Antisemitism and other hate speech has no place on our campus.
Senate noted that the freedom to protest is not absolute. The University has a duty to foster the wellbeing of staff and students.
Senate expressed its concern that the continuation of encampments might pose a risk of disruption to the operations of the University and to the safety and wellbeing of students and staff. The University must be able to take appropriate action to ensure that classes are not disrupted, the operations of the University can continue and staff and students are not exposed to a risk of harassment or intimidation.
The University’s leadership has regularly checked-in with the leaders of the encampments and consulted with them in an effort to agree on a peaceful end to the occupation of the Great Court which lies at the centre of the campus. We remain committed to these consultations but we cannot allow the encampments to continue indefinitely.
With examinations due to commence in the near future the University has an obligation to ensure that they are not at risk of disruption. Senate agreed that the Vice-Chancellor should take all appropriate steps to achieve this.
Statement from UQ Vice-Chancellor, Professor Deborah Terry
Friday 17 May 2024
The University is continuing to engage with nominated protest representatives, to agree a peaceful resolution to the current camp arrangements.
Today, we have advised protest organisers, as well as staff and students, that the University intends to remain in regular contact to ensure we minimise disruption to core university activities, particularly with the upcoming exam period. We have also advised that the University’s objective is to discontinue the camps as soon as possible.
UQ's Senate has endorsed this approach and the statement from the UQ Chancellor, Mr Peter Varghese reaffirms our commitment to freedom of speech, while recognising that there are limitations relating to safety and disruption to campus activities and operations.
The University will continue to ensure that we take appropriate action where there are incidents that do not align with our codes of conduct as we make every effort to progress a peaceful resolution.
