Media statement student protest (Bundoora)
UPDATED: 22 May 2024
Following the University’s directive to student organisers of the encampment at La Trobe’s Melbourne (Bundoora) campus, the encampment was fully disbanded last night (Tuesday 21 May).
La Trobe welcomes this step.
The University will continue to accommodate the right of students and staff to protest peacefully, safely and respectfully without an encampment.
UPDATED: 20 May 2024
La Trobe University will continue to accommodate the right of students and staff to protest peacefully, safely and respectfully but, for health and safety reasons, without an encampment.
Today the University informed the organisers of the student encampment at our Melbourne (Bundoora) campus that it will commence misconduct proceedings against them for their failure to comply with our 17 May directive to disband the encampment.
Although the protests at La Trobe have been relatively peaceful and no classes have been interrupted to date, the University has considered the risks associated with the continued encampment activity, and has taken this decision in the interests of the safety, wellbeing and amenity of all campus users and visitors.
La Trobe University is proud of our rich and diverse multicultural and multi-faith community, and we do not tolerate any form of discrimination or racism, including antisemitism or Islamophobia.
In keeping with our core values, we are committed to ensuring that our students can safely learn, engage and participate fully in university life.
UPDATED: 17 May 2024
La Trobe University has today issued a directive to organisers of the student protest to disband the encampment currently occupying our Melbourne (Bundoora) campus Agora.
Although the protests at La Trobe have been relatively peaceful and no classes have been interrupted to date, the University has considered the risks associated with the continued encampment activity and has taken this decision in the interests of the safety, wellbeing and amenity of all campus users and visitors.
La Trobe will continue to accommodate the right of students and staff to protest peacefully and respectfully without an encampment.
La Trobe University is proud of our rich and diverse multicultural and multi-faith community, and we do not tolerate any form of discrimination or racism, including antisemitism or Islamophobia.
In keeping with our core values, we are committed to ensuring that our students can safely learn, engage and participate fully in university life.
Ends
Media contact: media@latrobe.edu.au
Media statement student protest (Bundoora) - 7 May 2024
La Trobe University is aware that a group of students are exercising their right to protest and have set up an encampment today (Tuesday 7 May) at our Melbourne (Bundoora) campus.
Peaceful and respectful protest is fundamental to the University’s values and is protected by the law and by our University policies including the Model Code for the Protection of Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom in Australian Higher Education Providers.
It is important that our community can freely share views, ideas and opinions, and the University is working to ensure that this is facilitated in a safe and inclusive way.
Everyone has a right to be safe and to feel welcome on campus, and the safety of our staff, students and community is our priority. La Trobe does not tolerate any kind of racism, including antisemitism and Islamophobia. In accordance with the law and our policies, we will not accept discriminatory, abusive, threatening or violent behaviour by any person on our campuses, nor damage to property.
To ensure safety for all, including those participating in the protest, our University security team are present to provide support.
A range of safety and support services are available for our students and staff including:
- Student Wellbeing team
- Staff Health and Wellbeing team
- Concerning behaviour should be reported to the University’s Safer Community team or Campus Security.
La Trobe research
La Trobe does not undertake research into the development of weapons nor has any research partnerships relating to weapons manufacturing.
Media Contact:
Claire Bowers – c.bowers@latrobe.edu.au – 0437 279 903
or the media team: https://www.latrobe.edu.au/news/contact-us
