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:
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.