USYD Protest Policy Threatens Student Voices

The  University of Sydney’s decision to implement a new Campus Access Policy 2024 has been met with outrage by students and activist groups globally. Its key features ban camping activities, require university approval for common forms of protest and require notice for any demonstration. Vice-chancellor Mark Scott claims that “[USyd] repeatedly stated that we support the right to peaceful protest”, while swiftly changing pace stating “provided it doesn’t cause significant disruption to core university operations.” 

This theme runs through the policy with approval required for activities using megaphones, speakers, attaching banners/posters, projectors, cooking equipment and temporary structures such as stalls. Approval for such activities must occur 72 hours (3 days) prior to the event. Students may recognise these materials from any protest or society event they’ve ever seen, adding another layer of control and bureaucracy to student life and advocacy. Additionally, there is currently no criteria within the policy for activity approval or rejection, seemingly USyd is functioning off whatever they feel is correct. There even seems to be confusion as to what activities require approval, with campus security demanding approval for  Students Against War handing out flyers despite this not being in the policy.

The policy goes on to ban “unacceptable” activities under it, such as camping, seemingly a direct response to the Gaza encampment, despite the aforementioned “support” to the right to peaceful protest. 

This is particularly disheartening after the Sydney University Muslim Students Association (SUMSA) and other groups successfully closed the encampment. The encampment secured investment disclosure, review of its divestment policy, additional funding to its scholars at risk program (with a focus on Gazan scholars), continued commitment to anti-racism, truth telling and establishment of an ‘Experience Palestine’ unit in collaboration with Palestinian Universities.

UNSW itself similarly bans  camping in its Campus Policy as well as requiring 48 hours of notice before any demonstration. However, there is no requirement for university approval as in USyd’s new policy.  It is important to make sure UNSW shows solidarity with the fight at Usyd to ensure similar policies do not pass here.    

In response to this, the USyd SRC, Student activist groups and unions have mobilised against the policy, announcing an “Unauthorised Stall Day” on 12 pm July 31st as an act of mass disobedience to this policy. We’ll continue to watch these developments as it’s clear this policy sets a worrying precedent for Student Activism.