Sydney University to consider updating Freedom of Speech Charter – News – The University of Sydney

The guarantee of freedom of speech for our staff, students and visitors is something weve always taken seriously but its important to be vigilant.

Dr Michael Spence, Vice-Chancellor and Principal

University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor Dr Michael Spence said one of the fundamental roles of a university was to be a place where ideas can be freely discussed, including those that were controversial or unpopular.

Theguarantee of freedom of speech for our staff, students and visitors is something weve always taken seriously at the University of Sydney but its important to be vigilant. Mr Frenchs review provided us with an opportunity to assess the way we promote and protect those freedoms and I thank the group involved for their methodical and sensible report,Dr Spence said.

The reports recommendations include:

The report also recommends renaming the current Charter, the Charter of Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom and says the University should undertake a review of its non-statutory rules, codes of conduct and policies to ensure they are consistent with the provisions of the new Charter, if the Groups recommendations are endorsed by the Universitys Academic Board and ultimately approved by its Senate.

The Academic Board is due to discuss the report on 5 November.

The report was written by a group of senior staff from the University of Sydney including the Universitys General Counsel, Richard Fisher; Professor Anne Twomey; Professor Lisa Jackson Pulver; Associate Professor Tony Masters and representatives from the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU), Student Representative Council (SRC), Sydney University Postgraduate Representative Association (SUPRA), the principals of the affiliated residential colleges and the Universitys Human Resources Office.

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Sydney University to consider updating Freedom of Speech Charter - News - The University of Sydney