The University of Sydney has knowingly put a transgender student in danger of deportation this week, after alleging misconduct that violated the Campus Access Policy.
Luna was given notice of suspension due to images of pro-Palestine slogans written on a whiteboard that the university attributed to her. In an Instagram post by Pride in Protest, the images of her alleged misconduct read: “USYD vice chancellor Mark Scott supports Gaza genocide” and “From the river to the sea Palestine will be free”.
The university claims that because the slogans were written in permanent marker, they were hard to remove and thus constituted misconduct.
Luna is a transgender woman from Malaysia, who has gone through the “incredibly invasive” process of seeking asylum in Australia after her student visa ends, according to said Pride in Protest member, Damien Nguyen at a press conference on the 6th of March. She had applied for an extension until after her asylum visa took effect on March 21st, in order to remain in Australia, but was initially denied.
If an international student is suspended from their studies, they face immediate deportation from Australia, as the conditions of their visa demand they engage in full-time study for the duration of their stay.
Nguyen went on to explain that Luna would be forced to detransition should she be deported as Malaysia does not provide gender affirming care.
Counsellors of the SRC condemned these allegations and the ‘drastic’ disciplinary action. “The policies wielded against this student are overly punitive and discriminatory. They make campus unsafe for any student who needs to speak out about their rights.” said Queer Officer Wendy Thompson. They emphasised that the recent commitments made to student and staff’s psychosocial safety was a PR stunt, and that the Campus Access Policy wielded against Luna placed students in real mental and physical danger.
On Wednesday March 5th, the University issued a statement, citing an administrative error causing the notice of immediate suspension. On Thursday March 6th, the university clarified that Luna would not be suspended, and that an apology has been issued.
However, the University’s extension does not change Luna’s circumstances. In an email to the Star Observer obtained by Pride In Protest, the university confirmed they were only extending her response deadline until the 14th of March.
She is still in danger of deportation.
