The ANU student who lost relatives in Gaza was asked to provide death certificates to prove their deaths for an exam extension, the royal commission into antisemitism heard. This case highlights challenges faced by students affected by the Israel-Gaza war. The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network barrister Yasser Bakri questioned ANU acting provost Prof Joan Leach about the incident, where a supervisor demanded proof of the deaths. Leach called the response inappropriate, though she was unaware of the specific case.
Royal Commission into Antisemitism Examines University Responses
The fourth set of hearings in the royal commission is focusing on Jewish students and academics, including how universities handle antisemitism and social cohesion. The ANU encampment, set up in April 2024 in solidarity with Palestinians, drew attention to the university's links to weapons manufacturers. Leach denied the university lost control of its campus, despite an internal safety review rating the encampment as a high psychosocial risk.
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Key Details from the Hearing
The workplace review, finalized in October 2024, found direct and residual psychosocial risks from the encampment were high. Leach noted that security now has a procedure for handling protests like encampments. She emphasized that security staff knew many students and actively monitored the situation to ensure safety.
| Issue | Details |
|---|---|
| Student Request | Exam extension due to relative deaths in Gaza |
| Supervisor Response | Asked for death certificates as proof |
| University Position | Response inappropriate, but no loss of control |
| Psychosocial Risk Rating | High from encampment |
Impact on Students and Universities
This case underscores the emotional and bureaucratic hurdles students face when dealing with trauma from international conflicts. Universities must balance academic integrity with compassion. The royal commission continues to explore how institutions can better support affected students while maintaining campus safety.
Key Takeaways
- ANU student requested exam extension after relatives killed in Gaza
- Supervisor demanded death certificates, deemed inappropriate by provost
- Royal commission examines antisemitism and university responses
- Encampment had high psychosocial risk rating
- New security procedures implemented for protests
FAQ
What happened with the ANU student and death certificates?
An ANU student whose relatives were killed in Gaza was asked to provide death certificates to get an exam extension. The supervisor's request was deemed inappropriate by the acting provost.
What is the royal commission into antisemitism investigating?
The royal commission is examining the lived experiences of Jewish students and academics, including how universities respond to antisemitism and social cohesion issues.
Did ANU lose control of its campus?
No, the acting provost denied the university lost control, despite a high psychosocial risk rating from the pro-Palestine encampment. New security procedures were implemented.
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