Six male students expelled and 21 suspended over ‘serious bullying’ at college

Six male students have been expelled and 21 have been suspended from a prestigious college over a “serious bullying” incident.

Six male students have been expelled and 21 have been suspended after a serious bullying incident at the prestigious St Paul’s College at The University of Sydney.

The 27 students received disciplinary action after an investigation by the college found the students had engaged in “serious bullying” of another student in their friendship group.

St Paul’s warden Ed Loane said the college was “shocked and deeply disappointed” by the male students’ actions.

“This behaviour is contrary to our values and standards,” he said.

“Our response, upon learning of this and conducting a thorough investigation, has been to expel the perpetrators and suspend the bystanders who failed to intervene.”

Six men have been expelled and 21 have been suspended from St Paul’s College at The University of Sydney.

The victim has been receiving support and care from the college, which has vowed to review and strengthen the anti-bullying and anti-harassment training provided to students.

“We will continue to ensure we are doing everything we can to provide a safe and respectful community,” Dr Loane said.

The beautiful sandstone buildings of St Paul’s house about 420 students, including 300 undergraduate students.

It was established as the first university college in Australia and, after 166 years as an all-male institution, it became coeducational last year.

Dr Loane said the college had been accepting equal numbers of male and female undergraduate students over the past two years in an attempt to achieve gender parity. Currently, 40 per cent of St Paul’s residents are women.

A spokesperson said The University of Sydney was “deeply disappointed” with the behaviour of the expelled and suspended students at St Paul’s College.

A college investigation found the students had been involved in a ‘serious bullying’ incident.

“We support the disciplinary action the college has taken and their commitment to review the training they provide to students,” the spokesperson said.

“We’re also following up directly to understand additional steps the college is taking to manage this issue and ensure the safety and wellbeing of students.”

While the residential colleges on campus are independent, The University of Sydney spokesperson said the university strove to collaborate when issues arose.

“The welfare of students (is) our top priority,” they said.

“We treat conduct that occurs at or in connection with a residential college as ‘university related’ and urge anyone who has experienced or witnessed inappropriate behaviour to let us know so we can provide support, investigate and take appropriate action.”

Dr Loane said there had been no other bullying incidents reported by St Paul’s College to the university this year.

The college has faced previous controversies related to bullying and sexism that led to a review of culture by former sex discrimination commissioner Elizabeth Broderick.

St Paul’s College went co-ed last year after 166 years as an all-male institution.

The damning report found demeaning and sexist practices throughout the college system, including a “bone room” lined with mattresses at St Paul’s where male students would take female students.

The then warden of St Paul’s, Don Markwell, vowed to implement all of the recommendations made in Ms Broderick’s 2018 report.

One of the most notable instances of alleged bullying involved the younger brother of Thomas Kelly, who was killed by an unprovoked punch while walking through Kings Cross with his girlfriend.

Stuart Kelly attended St Paul’s College in 2016 but took his own life when he was just 18 years old.

His parents claimed he had been bullied mercilessly at the college over lockout laws implemented in Sydney after his brother’s death.

Originally published as Six male students expelled and 21 suspended over ‘serious bullying’ at college