Following major backlash by students, the University of Sydney has apologised for allegedly telling an international transgender student, who is from Malaysia, that she could be suspended for leaving accusatory statements about the university’s alleged involvement in the genocide in Gaza, on campus whiteboards.
According to a report by The Guardian, the university claimed that the threat of suspension, which was included in a misconduct notice, was a result of an ‘administrative error’. The misconduct proceedings, though, are still ongoing.
This comes after the student, known simply as Luna, had allegedly written statements with a green marker on whiteboards around the university.
Among the messages were, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free“, as well as accusations that the university is involved in weapons manufacturing and “supported genocide in Gaza“. She also apparently included statistics on the death toll in Gaza.
“The green marker that you used above was not a whiteboard marker, and the text you wrote was difficult to remove from the whiteboards,” the University’s Office of the Academic Registrar wrote in their misconduct notice.
She was given until February 14 (Friday) to respond or face a preliminary meeting. Should she admit to the misconduct, she would potentially face “exclusion” or a “suspension” from the university or a reprimand.
The student’s response
Considering the risk of deportation out of Australia due to the potential suspension, the student requested an extension to March 21 (Friday) so that she can obtain a bridging visa, which will allow her to stay in Australia lawfully while the issue is resolved.
“If the student affairs unit suspends my studies, I will be at immediate risk of deportation from Australia. As a transgender woman, I have been denied access to gender-affirming care, including hormone replacement therapy in Malaysia and can only access essential health care in Australia,” she explained.
Luna stated that she was “under extreme duress” and was seeking asylum “due to immense violence and persecution in my home country, Malaysia”. With the security of a bridging visa, she would be “able to assess this matter in a clear-headed fashion, without worrying about being deported to danger“.
The university apologised
The university later issued a statement acknowledging the student’s concerns and apologised for the “administrative error relating to the likely penalties that would be imposed”.
“The error is being rectified, and the student will be provided with the correct information, advice and relevant support as a priority. The student will also be provided with an extension of time to provide her response,”
“We apologise for this error and any distress caused.”
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