Community update

Updates for our community: Impacts of the Middle East conflict

Latest information

Last updated 20 May 2024 11:41am

17 May 2024 update

Monash University was notified by encampment organisers this afternoon (Friday 17 May) that they planned to pack up the encampment at the Clayton campus.

All tents, banners and other remnants of the encampment have been removed by the encampment organisers with support from the University.

We will continue to work with our student and community leaders, and with staff, to ensure safety and security on campus and, importantly, to meet the academic and pastoral needs of our staff and students during this time.

We thank our campus community including Monash Security, as well as Victoria Police, for supporting operations at the Clayton campus and ensuring the safety of all.

Retrieval of belongings

All unclaimed belongings are being securely stored at 30 Research Way, Clayton campus. Individuals who wish to retrieve their belongings are advised to visit the above location and call the Buildings and Property Helpdesk on 9902 0222 before 5pm Friday, 24 May.

Enquiries

We are currently experiencing a high volume of enquiries regarding the complex impacts of the Middle East conflict on our communities.

All enquiries will be reviewed and where required, actioned by the appropriate area as soon as possible. Due to the high volume of correspondence, we may not be able to respond to all enquiries individually, however we will endeavour to respond to you in due course or update this website at a later date. We encourage you to check this site regularly for the latest University information and updates.

Last updated 20 May 2024 11:41am

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Last updated 20 May 2024 11:41am

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Further updates

Encampment on Clayton campus View fact sheet

The Monash Security team is present on-site and available 24/7 and will take any appropriate measures if the need arises in accordance with operational protocols that apply.
Security will intervene immediately if there is an imminent risk to safety of any person, or behaviour that constitutes a clear criminal offence.
Any complaints are taken seriously and we will consider them in line with our policies and procedures. As part of our continuous improvement processes, we review our practices to ensure the most appropriate response to suit the respective circumstances.
We are aware of a small group of predominantly non-Monash students who entered Monash University Clayton campus late on Sunday 5 May to disrupt the encampment. Over the course of roughly an hour, other members of the public (both pro and anti the encampment) arrived on site, and tensions increased. Given the potential for further escalation, Monash Security engaged Victoria Police, and the police arrived on site soon after.
To ensure the safety of all, Victoria Police assisted those not involved with the encampment to leave campus. No arrests were made and no injuries were reported or observed.
We have, and will continue to work with organisers of the encampment and relevant authorities to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all individuals.
Monash Security is proactively on-site to ensure the safety of all in our community, and will take any appropriate measures in cooperation with authorities, if the need arises.
The University is investigating the incident and will take all available action. For more information, please read our media statement.
We’re aware that a group is exercising its right to protest and started an encampment on Wednesday 1 May on the Lemon Scented Lawns at the Clayton campus.
The University’s priority is to ensure the wellbeing and safety of our students and staff and to uphold our core principles of scholarly inquiry and academic freedom.
We are proud that Monash has a long history of, and is home to, a diverse range of views and lived experience, and these have always been expressed through planned activities, including peaceful protests.
Monash’s commitment to a diverse, inclusive and equitable community for all is a foundational principle for the development of a rich culture, where all members of the community are treated with fairness and respect.
Our campus community must be able to conduct normal operations safely, even during times of disagreement and protest. Federal and Victorian law contain prohibitions against violence, property damage, unwarranted discrimination, harassment and vilification. The Monash University Regulations also contain reasonable limits on those fundamental rights.
The University does not tolerate behaviour that is not in line with University policies such as the Community Safety and Security Policy and Equity, Diversity and Anti-discrimination Policy. This behaviour includes:
- Disruption of University activity, including lectures, classes, research activity;
- Occupation of a building;
- Behaviour or messages that are racist including antisemitic or islamophobic, discriminatory, harassing, vilifying or victimising – as outlined in our anti-racism statement;
- Unlawful behaviour or messages including those which are threatening or abusive;
- Damage to property; and
- Physical violence.
Instances of the above behaviour will be investigated and all available action taken. Where actions likely breach the law they will be referred to Victoria Police.
Monash University is committed to considering all formal reports of student general misconduct related to protest activity, including those arising from incidents at the encampment on 6-8 May.
The University takes all complaints seriously. We are reviewing and investigating the complaints in line with our policies and procedures, which has resulted in a number of formal notices of student misconduct being issued.
Information about Student General Misconduct is available online.

Written and verbal phrases View fact sheet

The University has received an overwhelming number of complaints from staff and students about general conduct and language that is likely to go beyond lawful speech and may cause harm, associated with the encampment protest and counter-protest.

We understand that words and statements used in protest and counter-protest may be distressing to some in our community, and we take all complaints seriously.

Due to the volume of complaints as part of our proactive engagement with the encampment organisers as well as counter-protesters, the University has advised that language which goes beyond lawful freedom of speech and causes harm may become a student misconduct matter.

The University is aware of social media content stating that “Zionists… are not welcome” on Monash University campuses.
We have sought expert, independent advice on this specific content and wording – that Zionists are “not welcome” – and our best judgement based on that advice, is that this statement likely constitutes harassment and/or vilification.
The University is now taking action accordingly. We have reported and formally requested the relevant social media platforms remove the unacceptable posts.
When considering where to draw a line between free speech and speech that can justifiably be limited, the distinction is not one of offence. Democratic debate requires us to tolerate people being offended – even deeply offended – or having their feelings hurt. The distinction is one of harm.
We have laws (both in Victoria and federally) that draw a distinction between speech that harms and speech that, however offensive, does not. Speech that does harm includes expressions that constitute vilification or harassment.
Having these laws sets a standard for public debate. They draw a line in the sand that protects communities from harm.
Laws such as the Federal Racial Discrimination Act and the Victorian Racial and Religious Tolerance Act are not designed to stop people from having debates about difficult topics of public policy. They are designed to encourage, indeed they require, people to have those debates in ways that do not harm others. This includes not harming the ability of others to participate in those very debates.
The University acknowledges that while some language may be considered offensive, it will, nonetheless, be protected by the principles of academic freedom. However, the language that has been used in the relevant social media posts does not engage the principles of academic freedom. That language must be judged according to the limits of the principle of freedom of speech.
The Monash University community shares a standard for public conversation and debate even when in deep disagreement. It is essential that the exercise of freedom of speech does not cross over into expressions that harass, vilify, or intimidate others.
If Monash students, staff or visitors are identified as being involved in making such statements, we will investigate and act in accordance with applicable policies and procedures. Further, where we find inappropriate social media content being posted, we will request its removal.
We remain in close contact with our student organisations to ensure language and interactions are respectful and in line with University policies and procedures.
Monash students remain free to protest regarding matters and issues that are important to them, within the limits of freedom of expression in law and in the University’s regulations, policies, and procedures.

Police on campus View fact sheet

Support, safety and wellbeing View fact sheet

Events on campus View fact sheet

Q&As View fact sheet

The University has erected signs at the entrances to the Clayton campus and close to the encampment under regulation 93(1) of the Monash University (Council) Regulations.
While Monash University respects the right to freedom of speech and expression and the right of assembly to engage in peaceful protest, the safety of our students and staff members is paramount.
Until further notice, any person, other than a Monash University student or staff member, who engages or intends to engage in protest activities is directed not to enter, access or otherwise be present in, a University precinct.
Any contravention of this direction will be referred to Victoria Police.
As a result of the behaviour of non-Monash individuals on campus, and to ensure the safety of our community, Monash Security and Victoria Police will be undertaking identification checks on individuals at Clayton campus engaged in protest activity.
Any individuals who are not identified as members of the Monash community will be asked to leave the campus by Monash Security. Refusals to leave will be referred to Victoria Police under regulation 93(1) of the Monash University (Council) Regulations.
Monash’s commitment to a diverse, inclusive and equitable community for all is a foundational principle for the development of a rich culture, where all members of the community are treated with fairness and respect. The University does not tolerate behaviour that is not in line with University policies such as the Community Safety and Security Policy and Equity, Diversity and Anti-discrimination Policy. This behaviour includes:
- Disruption of University activity, including lectures, classes, research activity;
- Occupation of a building;
- Behaviour, language or messages that are racist including antisemitic or islamophobic, discriminatory, harassing, vilifying or victimising – as outlined in our anti-racism statement;
- Unlawful language, behaviour or messages including those which are threatening or abusive;
- Damage to property; and
- Physical violence.
Instances of the above behaviour will be investigated and all available action taken. Where actions likely breach the law they will be referred to Victoria Police.