University of Sydney fronts up to donors while government toughens language on campus anti-Semitism

The University of Sydney has had to front up to donors about its management of the pro-­Palestine encampment protest on its campus over the past two months.

The pro-Palestine encampment protest at the University of Sydney. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

The University of Sydney has had to front up to donors about its management of the pro-­Palestine encampment protest on its campus over the past two months.

It comes after backlash to its deal with the last of the campers that saw the Muslim students society, which has been implicated with extremist organisation Hizb ut-Tahrir, granted a seat at a working group to review the university’s defence and security related investments.

Separately, Education Minister Jason Clare has expressed concern at the circumstances facing Jewish students on university campuses. “I have made it clear to universities that there is nothing more important than the safety of students and staff on campus,” he said.

“That must continue to be the No 1 priority of all universities. Jewish students are being made to feel unsafe and unwelcome at university. That is not on.”

This follows a statement from a rare coalition of peak Jewish organisations that said it had “lost confidence” in the university to provide for the safety of Jewish students and staff following last week’s agreement, as revealed by The Australian.

The Australian has sighted emails signed by vice-chancellor Mark Scott to donors saying, “we wanted to get in touch to update you on the protest encampment on our campus”.

“We know it has been a difficult time and some of you might value the opportunity to hear me speak directly with you on this.”

They were issued with a link to a video call where they would be able to ask questions.

The Australian understands some key benefactors have been raising concerns about its handling of the protests.

A university spokeswoman, when contacted for comment, said Professor Scott had “invited a number of valued donors to hear an update about the protest encampment and have the opportunity to ask any questions they may have”.

Separately, the University of Melbourne has reportedly threatened some pro-Palestinian students and staff with disciplinary action following their involvement in a protest that took over a campus building for a week. A university spokesman said it “is currently progressing a range of matters in relation to student conduct”.