Opening statement at Senate Inquiry

Message to staff and students

Dear colleagues and students,
 
Earlier today I had the opportunity to present evidence before the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee. This was a significant moment for our University as we continue to address antisemitism within our community.
 
I wanted to share with you a copy of my opening statement, which follows.
 
These are challenging and demanding times and I recognise that there is still much to be done. I’m dedicated to collaborating with our community to ensure our approach to these crucial issues remains responsive, balanced, and consistent. 
 
I’m eager to continue dialogue with all parties in the future, aiming for the best outcomes for our shared University community.
 
Take care,
Mark

Professor Mark Scott
Vice-Chancellor and President

Opening statement

There can be no doubt that antisemitism is rising across Australian society – and that trend is reflected on university campuses, including the University of Sydney.

This has accelerated since the horrific events of October 7 and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

In my long career in education and the media, I have never encountered an issue that’s generated more anguish, grief and anger.

In my many meetings with Jewish staff, students, alumni and community, I have heard firsthand of their experiences of antisemitism.

I have read the complaints that have been made to the University – and all of those shared in submissions to this inquiry and to the Special Envoy.

The testimonials are heart-breaking and unacceptable. And for that I am sorry.

No one should feel at risk, unsafe or unwelcome at any place of learning.

No one should feel the need to hide their identity or stay away from classrooms or campuses.

The University has a responsibility to take active steps to ensure a safe environment free from discrimination and we take these responsibilities seriously.

We have taken many actions, which I am happy to detail, including establishing an independent review of all relevant university policies and processes to be undertaken by Bruce Hodgkinson, a pre-eminent Senior Counsel with expertise in health and safety.

But we clearly have to do more.

As the Special Envoy’s submission makes clear, there is no single solution to defeating antisemitism – and I have written to the Special Envoy outlining our genuine commitment to working with her office to combat this scourge across university campuses.

And if a judicial inquiry is a necessary part of the solution, then we welcome it.

Let me touch on the encampment.

The establishment of the encampment on our campus in late April presented a difficult period for the university, its students and staff.

In managing the encampment, we prioritised engagement, non-violence and a peaceful resolution. However, we acknowledge the distress its very presence caused for a great number of people, including Jewish members of our staff and student body.

At all times, we were trying to balance our obligations to ensure the health and safety – including the psychosocial safety – of the entire diverse university community, with our commitments to academic freedom and free speech.

This was a complex, fast-moving environment where we were meeting daily and making multiple decisions based on the best information we had available at the time and taking the advice of experts, particularly the police and security agencies.

Did we get every decision right during this time?  There are clearly very different views on that and I recognise that we did not always meet the expectations of the Jewish community.

For one, I regret that we did not communicate the agreement to end the encampment with the Jewish community before it was announced.

I realise there is a lot of work to do to win back the trust and confidence of the University’s Jewish community. I am committed to that.

We are taking the time to listen deeply, to review and refine our approach. We remain open to making further changes and working with the Special Envoy as part of our commitment to develop and evolve – to ensure the university is safe and welcoming for all and that we do everything we can to combat antisemitism.