Melbourne uni students given warnings over pro-Palestine protests

University of Melbourne students who occupied a building at the Parkville campus during pro-Palestine protests in May have received warnings following hearings into their conduct.

Twenty-one students at the university were facing suspension or expulsion following the occupation of the Arts West building during a multi-day sit-in.

University of Melbourne students during their sit-in at the Arts West building on the Parkville campus in May.Credit: Jason South

In a statement posted to Instagram, protest group Unimelb For Palestine said that students involved in the protest had been given warnings following a number of hearings, with the “baseless” allegations against them upheld.

Students at the sit-in were accused of causing a health and safety concern that led to the cancellation of classes.

The student group said the hearings had been “politically motivated” and unethical.

“We won’t stop until [University of Melbourne] ends its complicity in the genocide and cut all its ties to weapons manufacturers and the Israeli genocidal entity!” Unimelb for Palestine’s social media post said.

Melbourne University protesters exited the building and packed up a long-running pro-Palestine encampment on the south lawn on May 23 after the university agreed to disclose its ties to weapons companies.

The university’s provost, Professor Nicola Phillips, said students’ right to freedom of speech was “fundamental” to the university’s values, and the hearings related to the occupation of one of the buildings on campus.

She said the university had followed its policies in relation to the hearings, upholding confidentiality and procedural fairness.

University of Melbourne Provost Nicola Phillips.

“We have consistently stated that we recognise the right of students and staff to participate in peaceful protest, and at no time have we sought to restrict this,” Phillips said.

“These matters relate to the circumstances surrounding the occupation of one of our buildings. They are not related to freedom of speech or peaceful protest.”

When misconduct has been substantiated in a University of Melbourne hearing process, a reprimand can be issued in writing to the student, alongside a caution against repeated behaviour.

In an email seen by The Age, students were told they had breached the university’s code of conduct during the pro-Palestine protests in May. They were also sent individualised CCTV footage from inside the building as evidence of wrongdoing.

The Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner confirmed earlier this month it was investigating the University of Melbourne, which is bound by the Privacy and Data Protection Act, over its use of surveillance footage.

During the occupation, students renamed the Arts West building Mahmoud’s Hall, in honour of Palestinian student Mahmoud Alnaouq, who they say intended to study at Melbourne University on a scholarship this year but was killed alongside 19 family members in Gaza on October 20.

Student group UniMelb for Palestine has been contacted for comment.

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