UNSW condemns the sexist and demeaning attitudes and behaviours displayed by a group of students from one of the University's residential colleges.
Denise Knight
UNSW Media Office
0405 207 685
d.knight@unsw.edu.au
On Friday 8 April, 2016, some members of Philip Baxter College engaged in the singing of a chant containing sexist, offensive language on a private bus to an external venue.
UNSW is appalled by the sexist and demeaning attitudes and behaviours towards women reflected in these chants. The University has zero tolerance for offensive behaviour of this nature and has taken immediate steps to investigate.
Meetings were convened last night between the University, college residents and student representatives, including the UNSW SRC Women's Collective.
The Women's Collective has issued a statement that rightly condemns this reported behaviour. A letter of apology has been signed by residents of Philip Baxter College.
The University will be working closely with staff, student groups and colleges to ensure that incidents of this kind do not occur again.
UNSW is part of a national campaign organised by Universities Australia – Respect. Now. Always. – which is designed to counter these very attitudes and behaviours across university campuses.
Unfortunately, incidents like this highlight the need for such initiatives not only at universities but in the community more generally.