UQ makes policy changes to keep students from camping on lawn

A Queensland University has made changes to its policy after Pro-Palestine activists and pro-Jewish groups camped out for over a month.

University of Queensland has made changes to its policy to stop students from pitching a tent on campus after months of upheaval from pro-Palestinian encampments, that have since been disbanded.

Pro-Palestine and pro-Jewish encampments were directed to pack up and leave the St Lucia Great Court after months of tense stand-offs between the two sites.

Students 4 Palestine members vowed they would return once university holidays were over.

Group organiser Oula Shihan told The Sunday Mail in June activists were only packing up because it was the end of semester.

“At this moment we just don’t think it’s useful when there are no students or staff around to speak to,” she said.

But no camps have since returned to campus following policy changes made by the University of Queensland.

Ella Gutteridge and Oula Shihan from Students For Palestine at St Lucia in May. Photo: David Clark

Vice-Chancellor Deborah Terry advised staff in an email of the updates to come into effect at the start of semester two and said the encampments were “difficult and divisive” for the community.

“I have said previously, the presence of encampments on campus last semester was difficult and divisive for many in our community,” Ms Terry said in the email.

“However, the university’s policy relating to the use of UQ land does not permit encampments. It also indicates that permission must be sought to hold events such as public forums, lectures and film screenings.”

Outlining that “minor” updates have since been made to the policy to now include permissions will need to be granted under section 2, prohibitions a person must not, under the Use and Management of UQ Land, Buildings and Facilities policy erect or install any structure (including a tent, marquee, gazebo or similar structure), without prior written approval from the chief property officer, the academic registrar or a UQ controlled entity (for facilities or buildings under the control of the UQ controlled entity).

The previous policy did not mention tent or any of the now included structures.

“While approval is not required for our staff and students to hold a protest or demonstration, we will be engaging with our community over the coming weeks about ways to ensure that protests remain safe and respectful for all involved,” Ms Terry said.

University of Queensland has since made policy changes in regards to tents erected on campus.Picture: Richard Walker

A University of Queensland spokeswoman said the University has not changed its policy.

“The existing land use policy does not permit camping and additional clarity on this has been provided. Individuals trying to set up an encampment would be directed to cease,” a spokeswoman said.

The university also confirmed it would continue “looking into a number of allegations of anti-Semitism and is taking appropriate action”.

Associate Professor Yoni Nazarathy said that the policy changes were “better late than never”.

“I am happy that UQ now vows to enforce a zero tolerance of encampments policy,” he said. “Nevertheless, to date UQ has been very slack when it comes to investigating racial hate and vandalism offences.

“I hope that moving forward, UQ’s revised policies will restore a feeling of security. Still, the policies need to be backed by firm action as required.”

Mr Nazarathy also raised concerns over a graduation marketing video that has been shared since 2022 at ceremonies and was used again at the July 12 ceremony, where he claims a snippet from the video was a “marketing feature” for activism.

Screenshot from the University of Queensland graduation marketing video displayed before the graduation ceremonies since 2022. Photo: Supplied

“I am all for free speech, but instead of cracking down on these movements, UQ has now tried to convert the so-called ‘activism’ to be a marketing feature. This can be seen in part of a recent marketing video presented in graduation,” he said.