By Amanda Lawrence
CANBERRA — More than 1000 students attended a vocal rally on August 27 to protest against staff cuts at the Australian National University. The rally was addressed by speakers from the National Tertiary Education and Industry Union and the Education Action Group.
Melbourne University education officer and Resistance activist Jo Williams also spoke.
The rally marched to the university chancellery to put demands on Vice-Chancellor Deane Terrell.
Scuffles broke out when members of the International Socialist Organisation tried to enter the building in the face of an overwhelming police presence. Four students were arrested.
While the rally listened speakers, Resistance activists decided to occupy the A.D. Hope building, where the classics department is housed. The cuts will abolish that department.
Police had heard that students might attempt to enter the building and surrounded one door and chained up other entrances, forcing staff and students to leave the building. Once police realised that they had disrupted teaching, they stood aside while 50 students entered and held a peaceful sit-in in the museum.
Inside, the students drew up a list of demands, including saving the classics department and no staff cuts.
Resistance activist Natalie Zirngast told Green Left Weekly, "The aims of the occupation are to express solidarity with staff and draw attention to the impact the funding cuts will have on the quality of education. Thirty-two positions have already been cut from the arts faculty, with 68 more to go."
The occupiers produced leaflets and did lecture-bashing to urge other students to join the sit-in. They also passed a motion of solidarity with Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology students occupying the finance offices on their campus.
Classics department lecturer and NTEU member Doug Kelly said it was "inspiring to see students caring about intellectual values, and the warmth of student support is in stark contrast to the university administration's hostility". Kelly joined the sit-in, which inspired the students.
After lengthy discussion, the protesters voted to leave the building, but to continue to build the campaign. A rally is being organised for September 4.