University of Sydney lecturers free to cancel classes over disruptions

The University of Sydney has told staff they should ‘consider cancelling the class’ if pro-Palestine protesters are disruptive.

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

The University of Sydney has told staff they should “consider cancelling the class” if pro-Palestine protesters are disruptive.

It follows multiple instances of classes being “hijacked”, as revealed by The Australian. A growing number of universities across the country are cracking down on ­encampment protests that have been pitched, in some cases, for almost three weeks.

At the University of Sydney, management on Friday sent a cease-and-desist letter to protest organisers telling them not to disrupt classes.

The university also issued guidance to staff that if a protester disrupts a class, lecturers should “continue to teach … and ignore the disruption”. If that is not possible and “the protester(s) wish to make a brief statement, you can allow or not allow them to do so before resuming the class”.

Earlier advice recommended that “if the protester(s) wish to make a brief statement, allow them to do so before resuming the class”.

The rest of the guidance was the same as the prior version: “If the disruption continues, consider dismissing the class for a short break.

“If protesters do not leave after the break, you may need to consider cancelling the class.”

The updated guidance also clarified that students had to follow reasonable requests from staff and that noncompliance might be considered misconduct and invite disciplinary action. It also advised staff to call security.

The university also sent a letter, signed by academic director Peter McCallum, to encampment organisers demanding they stop disrupting classes.

“Whilst the actions of such ­individuals are not directly attributed to you personally, as both a student leader and leader of the encampment, the university ­expects you to take a leadership role in guiding those participating in the protest movement,” the letter reads.

The university said it was ­assessing the conduct of students who previously disrupted classes and would decide whether to take disciplinary action.

La Trobe University in Melbourne said it had directed organisers to dismantle their encampment. Protesters said it was an “attack on our right to free speech” and would hold a rally on Saturday.

Monash University said protesters had voluntarily taken down the encampment.