UHT’s Stage Carpenter/Mechanist Allen Laverty talks through how to build a mitre box (a tool to help you cut exactly 90° or 45°).

UMSU stands in solidarity with University of Queensland student Drew Pavlou, an elected student representative who has just suspended for 2 years for speaking out against the University. We are concerned about the nature of his charges and how this appears to be a politically targeted attack.

Despite this suspension occurring in a different state, this matter is relevant to all student unions as it is detrimental to the student movement. Drew’s suspension has set an incredibly dangerous precedent, and limits the freedom of expression on our campuses. This suspension shows that Australian universities are trying to silence student activists and silence criticisms about university administrations. Student representatives are elected to represent student interests, which are often different from what universities are trying to push. Student representatives should never be punished for speaking out about the inaction of universities.

UMSU will always stand up for student rights, and we will continue to speak out against the University if they are not acting in student interests. We condemn the actions of the University of Queensland.

Hannah Buchan
UMSU President

UHT’s Head Technician Clynton Jones talks through the basics of how to correctly set up and pack up mic stands.

The University yesterday announced that students affected by the current Federal Government’s travel ban, implemented in response to the coronavirus (Covid-19), will be eligible to seek compensation for our of pocket expenses of up to $7 500.

UMSU welcomes any initiative that will assist affected students in managing the impact of the travel ban. The University has also provided information to affected students about how issues relating to the payment of course fees will be managed.

UMSU will continue to provide support to affected students, including assistance in how to navigate the compensation scheme, and in the resolution of any disputes that arise as a result of the implantation of this scheme. Get support from UMSU Advocacy here.

While UMSU has expressed its support for this scheme to the University we have also identified a number of issues and concerns that we think need to be addressed.

In particular UMSU is concerned that students who have agreements in place for University operated accommodation may incur costs that exceed the $7 500 limit. While the University is now allowing affected students to terminate accommodation agreements, any costs associated with this will be automatically deducted from the student’s entitlement to compensation. This creates a situation where the University could potentially be in the position of cutting a student off from available compensation as a direct result of costs imposed on that student by the University.

UMSU continues to stand in support of students affected by the travel ban and we will keep you updated on the progress of our discussions with the University.

If you have any further enquiries about coronavirus (Covid-19), check the University’s website for more information here. You can also contact Stop1 for any questions not answered by the UoM statement or FAQs. 

Hannah Buchan
UMSU President
president@union.unimelb.edu.au

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TW// Transphobia, Mental Illness

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The University of Melbourne Student Union would like to express its disappointment in the University of Melbourne for its part in hosting another transphobic event on campus this semester.

UMSU has made the decision not to repeat the name of this event as to not platform it and its explicit transphobia. This event, however, is another of a series of anti-trans events hosted at the University of Melbourne that delegitimise trans identities and make our campus unsafe for all trans and gender diverse students on the University of Melbourne.

This year, the University of Melbourne introduced a freedom of speech policy that outlined freedom for those to espouse different views to create diverse discourse on campus. However, in the words of the Vice Chancellor to The Age:

“The university does not support the exercise of freedom of speech when the exercise undermines the capacity of individuals to participate fully in the university, or jeopardises the physical safety of individuals, or unreasonably disrupts activities or operations of the university.”

in UMSU’s view, this event jeopardises the capacity of people to participate in university and the safety of students.

Gender identity is not a choice. Gender identity is not a mental illness or something that can be cured. Transphobic rhetoric on campus is harmful and should be actively confronted. Student safety and inclusion, especially of our trans comrades, is the responsibility of all at in the university community.

It is even more concerning that this event is being hosted in the School of Historical and Philosophical Studies. This is not the first time this year SHAPS and its staff platform transphobia. Earlier in the year, a SHAPS lecturer coordinated a panel fearmongering about the threats of trans people to women and feminism as the “end of sex-based rights”. It now appears that SHAPS has taken a role itself in platforming hatred and pathology.

UMSU calls on the university to publically condemn this event and publically reassure the university community that our campus is inclusive of all trans and gender diverse students

UMSU calls on SHAPS to publically reaffirm its commitment to fighting transphobia in the academy and its own events

UMSU encourages all students to attend an action organised by our Queer Department against this event. It will be held 4-5pm, Professors Walk in front of Arts West.

The University of Melbourne should be a place of rigorous discourse and world leading academic thought. This should not be at the expense of the safety and inclusion of an entire group of students.

Molly Willmott

UMSU President

Andie Moore

UMSU Queer Officer

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