The University of Sydney has announced it will conduct three independent reviews focusing on campus security, student representative group funding, and conduct rules in the wake of controversy surrounding a student election campaign promoting the slogan “globalise the intifada.” The decision follows backlash from Jewish staff, students, and community organizations over the approval of a political ticket using the term.
Vice-chancellor Mark Scott and Chancellor David Thodey issued a statement on Tuesday affirming the university’s opposition to hate speech and any language that could be perceived as inciting violence. They pledged to remove any signs or symbols deemed inflammatory and noted that formal disciplinary actions may be pursued against students or staff found in violation of university policies.
A university spokesperson said the reviews aim to clarify roles and responsibilities within student governance, ensure that funds are appropriately allocated for student benefit, and explore opportunities to enhance governance, oversight, and consultation processes to better support student outcomes. The campus security review will assess existing measures to protect the university community, with plans to engage further with police as well as federal intelligence and counter-terrorism agencies.
The inquiry into student representative group funding will evaluate affiliations and ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and psychosocial safety standards. In addition, staff and student codes of conduct will be scrutinized as part of the broader examination.
Following last week’s elections, Professor Scott reportedly sought legal advice from crown solicitors and consulted the New South Wales Electoral Commission. According to an anonymous source cited by the student newspaper Honi Soit, university leadership has discussed potentially altering policy to intervene in student representative council (SRC) elections. The source indicated that Professor Scott raised the prospect of the university assuming responsibility for running SRC elections should funding cuts leave the SRC unable to do so. The discussions have reportedly drawn pressure from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, New South Wales Premier Chris Minns, Education Minister Jason Clare, and independent MP Allegra Spender.
The SRC has condemned these developments, describing the concerns as “manufactured and weaponised” to justify restrictions on the council’s independence and to silence progressive voices. The group asserted that the “globalise the intifada” slogan is not discriminatory, characterizing it instead as a call for justice and an end to violence.
Kieran Latty, the SRC returning officer who oversaw the recent elections, said the “intifada” ticket was reviewed against the SRC constitution and regulations and was deemed a valid nomination.
Peter Wertheim, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, welcomed the university’s decision to launch the reviews, calling it a “step in the right direction.”