Lecturer questions if academics will have to explain context of every phrase they use, saying those who speak up on Palestine would be affected

Another of the recommendations advises “the University prohibit any student from addressing those present in a lecture, seminar or tutorial prior to the commencement of the lecture, seminar or tutorial on any subject matter. A breach of the prohibition may be considered misconduct.”

It also recommended: “The University should approach both the NSW Police and the Federal Police with a view to entering into with them formal protocols which set out how they can assist the University if the need arises” and that “attaching banners to the footbridges be prohibited”.

David Brophy, a senior history lecturer at the University of Sydney, said the review’s proposals banned “basic forms of political expression on campus”.

He said the new civility rule caused particular concern, appearing “utterly bizarre and unworkable”.

“Are academics really expected to explain the context of every word and phrase they use?” he said. “A vague rule like this will most likely be wielded selectively against those who speak up for Palestine.” see

  • CTDummyEnglish
    72·
    7 days ago

    Another of the recommendations advises “the University prohibit any student from addressing those present in a lecture, seminar or tutorial prior to the commencement of the lecture, seminar or tutorial on any subject matter. A breach of the prohibition may be considered misconduct.”

    …

    “We help thousands of students each year with casework and legal matters,” he said. “It’s entirely absurd to defund the SRC, this is muzzling us and any students dissatisfied with how the university is operating. “When clubs and societies want to advertise events, as per policy, they could get accused of misconduct for giving announcements.”

    So don’t do it at lectures. I think this is straying towards heavy handed by USYD but this has been a problem at my institution too. It is absolutely inappropriate to interrupt tutorials/lectures with this stuff. SRC I couldn’t care less about but other political student groups, nah. Before the whole (recent) Palestine issue we’d have some communist (and one or two other) groups at our uni interrupt the start of lectures. Despite the fact the third time I witnessed it a large portion of the theatre was vocally complaining about it. Around the campus as long as you’re not yelling at people or being disruptive sure but anywhere that people are learning or studying, no thanks.

      • CTDummyEnglish
        51·
        6 days ago

        Yeah some of these groups figure out pretty quickly that lectures theatres, being packed full of students make for a great opportunity to spruik your group/event. Unfortunately they would also figure out that first year subjects also had fuller theatres and would often have friendlier/more agreeable lecturers. This was disruptive and delayed lecture before these sort of groups decided it was appropriate to yell out during other people speaking and interrupt others events. I’m surprised it’s taken this long to address.