Indigenous students and staff offered special consideration amid Voice to Parliament

Indigenous staff and students at multiple Victorian universities can apply for special consideration due to a rise in emotional trauma from the Voice referendum.

The University of Melbourne has implemented policies that allow Indigenous staff and students to get extra support following a rise in emotional trauma from the Voice to parliament. Picture: David Geraghty

Universities are offering Indigenous staff and students to apply for special consideration for their assignments and time off due to a rise in emotional trauma from the Voice to parliament referendum.

In a letter sent to staff on Monday, University of Melbourne Deputy Vice Chancellor (Indigenous) Barry Judd said Indigenous students are allowed to apply for special consideration for specific exams or assessments.

The university has also implemented special leave provisions for Indigenous staff for the remainder of 2023, with managers and supervisors asked to recognise the “burden” requests for commentary on the referendum has imposed on staff.

Such support will be available for students and graduate researchers struggling with trauma associated with the referendum until the end of the examination period on November 17.

Professor Judd said the increasingly “polarised” and “vitriolic” campaign had caused enormous dismay and distress to our university Indigenous community.

“This will only intensify as October 14 draws closer and possibly also after the announcement of the Voice referendum result,” he said.

“The University of Melbourne has implemented special leave provisions until the end of 2023 for our Indigenous students and staff to acknowledge the burden they are under at this difficult and stressful time,” a University of Melbourne spokesman told the Herald Sun.

A La Trobe University spokesperson said the university would also offer special leave for Indigenous staff who wish to take off Monday, October 16.

“Special consideration for Indigenous students which has been in place under our current policies since the date the referendum was announced, will remain in place until the end of the year,” the spokesperson said.

Victoria University added reflecting the views of First Nations staff and students “fearlessly and respectfully” had always been a commitment.

Because of this, the university is offering special considerations to its First Nation students and staff.

“We acknowledge the depth and complexity of viewpoints of the Voice Referendum within Victoria University (VU),” a spokesperson for the University said.

The university also has a dedicated Voice referendum site available for its staff’s convenience which was set up in May

“VU is offering additional special cultural leave for our First Nations colleagues until the end of 2023,” the spokesman added.

Monash University referred the Herald Sun to its existing leave, wellbeing and special consideration policies.

Students and staff at RMIT also have resources to assist with the Voice to parliament at a centre which provides Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander students with specialised guidance for study, living, cultural needs and employment opportunities.

“RMIT encourages our community to be well informed on the Voice to parliament to fully participate in the democratic process,” Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Education, Research and Engagement Gary Thomas said.

Meanwhile, students at Australian Catholic University are eligible for support through the institution’s Indigenous Higher Education Units, student counselling, and phone support services like 13Yarn, Lifeline, Headspace and Beyond Blue.

The Herald Sun contacted Deakin and Swinburne for comment, however they didn’t respond before deadline.

Originally published as Indigenous students and staff offered special consideration amid Voice to Parliament