These news snippets were published in 2025 Edition 1's  "Uni News" section. 

UniMelb Updates Wireless Terms of Use to Monitor Students

Sophie He

The University has updated its Wireless Terms of Use, specifying its authority to use the network as an avenue through which to monitor possible breaches of University policy.  

Introduced 24 March 2025, students have had to consent to these updated terms to maintain access to the UniWireless and Eduroam networks. The new terms state that, including instances ‘where no unauthorised use or misuse of the network is suspected’, the University may monitor the network to ‘assist in the detection and investigation of any actual or suspected unlawful or antisocial behaviour or any breach of any University policy by a network user’. The University also reserves the right to use ‘network data to infer the location of an individual via their connected device’. 

These updated terms follow the University’s controversial use of wireless data and CCTV footage to identify student protestors within Arts West/Mahmoud’s Hall during 2024’s pro-Palestine sit-in. In August 2024, following preliminary inquiries, this use of student information prompted the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner to open an investigation into the University.

Locked Out: Students Rally Against Okta Verify

Lucy Russ

The 2025 University of Melbourne semester commenced with students protesting against Okta Verify, the University’s mandatory multifactor authentication system. These students have argued that frequent authentication disrupts learning and are demanding the return of the 90-day ‘Remember My Device’ feature.

The movement began on 14 March when third-year Actuarial student Yenpai Cai staged a solo protest on South Lawn. It quickly gained traction with over 700 signatures on a Change.org petition and over 2,400 Instagram followers. ‘I have received overwhelming support from the entire UniMelb community, not just from students but from staff as well,’ says Cai. Protestors have distributed pamphlets and staged demonstrations, voicing frustration over constant login approvals. 

The University of Melbourne defends Okta Verify, stating that it ‘continuously reviews cybersecurity measures to ensure that its students and staff are protected from evolving cyber-threats’. However, the University did not provide specific data on cyber threats affecting students. 

The protests unfold amid increased restrictions on student activism at UniMelb, with indoor demonstrations recently banned. Despite concerns about potential sanctions, students remain determined to push for change. The movement has also spread to other Australian universities, sparking a broader debate on balancing security with accessibility.

‘I’ve done a lot of reading in feminist theory’: Emma Johnston Responds to Questions about New On-Campus Protest Restrictions

Sophie He

Speaking at the University of Melbourne All Staff Forum on 17 March 2025, Emma Johnston was asked how she reconciled the University’s diverse community with her new protest limitations. The new Vice Chancellor began by saying, ‘I’ve done a lot of reading in feminist theory,’ and followed up, ‘a space isn’t truly free if people feel unsafe’, emphasising ‘balancing freedom of expression with the need to ensure everyone—especially marginalised or quieter voices—can be fully part of campus life’.

Enshrined 3 March 2025, Emma Johnston’s new Vice Chancellor Rules prohibit ‘protest that unreasonably interferes with core University activities’, including all indoor protest. Students defying the Rules face sanctions, suspensions and expulsions.

Pro-Palestine Protesters Defy New University Rules

Sophie He

On 26 March 2025, pro-Palestine protesters gathered on the Parkville campus’s South Lawn before breaching University policy by marching into Arts West/Mahmoud’s Hall. Around 250 members of the university community gathered on South Lawn to protest the University of Melbourne’s ties to Israel and weapons manufacturers, scholasticide in Gaza and the new University Rules implemented by the Vice Chancellor. 

The rally concluded with approximately 100 protesters entering Arts West/Mahmoud’s Hall, breaching the newly implemented University Rules prohibiting indoor protest. Protesters chanted and facilitated speeches for just over 10 minutes, complying when campus security requested they leave. 

The action was part of the National Day of Action for Palestine which saw pro-Palestine protests on university campuses throughout the nation. The rally was endorsed by UniMelb for Palestine, the NTEU, Students Against War, BDS UniMelb, Law Students for Refugees, UniMelb Greens Club, Free Palestine Melbourne, Peringatan Darurat, BDS Youth, WSU 4 Palestine Collective, NTEU for Palestine and others.

UMSU Condemns Vandalism of Heart of Carlton

Sophie He

The University of Melbourne Student Union’s Students’ Council, gathered 20 March, has passed a motion condemning the recent vandalism attacks on local cafe Heart of Carlton.

The first incident occurred Friday 14 February, leaving the establishment’s window puncturing with holes. Subsequently, vandals have further smashed the panes, splattered white paint across the shopfront and, according to a GoFundMe started by the owners, the fourth attack consisted of ‘paint mixed with urine squirted over the front entrance and through the holes in the damaged glass’. The cafe’s Instagram announced the latest attack on 18 March which consisted of three bottles of pasta sauce being thrown across the shopfront.

The owners, Michael and Nadeen Kelly, have started a GoFundMe which has raised thousands of dollars. Their fund description outlines their plan to use the money to ‘restore and secure their shopfront, including new strengthened glass windows, fresh paint and security cameras’.

Speaking to ABC Radio about the first three attacks , Michael claimed that though police were called ‘on each occasion’, they only arrived ‘several hours later’.

Open 6am-6pm every day, Heart of Carlton’s $5 on meals has made it a popular meal spot for UniMelb students.

Baillieu Library Invites Students to Test Possible Furniture Options

Sophie He

The Baillieu Library has been running a furniture study throughout Semester 1. The Library has invited student input by setting up five study zones on Level 3. Students may visit these zones, test the furniture, complete a short survey via QR code and enter the draw to win a $250 Mastercard prepaid gift card.

ALP Club, Liberal Club and Farrago mark centenaries in 2025

Sophie He and Mathilda Stewart

2025 marks 100 years since the contemporaneous foundings of The University of Melbourne Australian Labor Party Club, Melbourne University Liberal Club and Farrago. 

On 3 August 1925, students seeking to form a Labor club were granted permission to do so by the University Council. The overall decision in favour of political clubs subsequently saw the Liberal Club’s inaugural meeting held on 18 September 2025. 

The ALP club maintains its position as Australia’s oldest student political club. 

First published 3 April 2025, Farrago is Australia’s oldest living campus-wide student publication. Brian Fitzpatrick was a founder of both the ALP club and Farrago. 

In 1925’s final Farrago, Fitzpatrick wrote that the Labor Club took ‘a melancholy pride in the reflection that they also founded the University Liberal Club’.

Peter Singer Visits UniMelb

Felix O'Kane and Sophie He

The UMSU-affiliated Effective Altruism club facilitated philosopher Peter Singer in the Kathleen Fitzpatrick theatre on 11 March, where he spoke about global poverty and animal rights. 

A UniMelb alum, Peter Singer’s work in ethics has greatly influenced the effective altruism movement. Effective altruists attempt to impartially calculate and maximise global good. They apply this philosophy to a variety of causes including global development, charitable contributions and personal life choices. 

Club President Francesca Lewis noted the event’s success and encouraged interested students to reach out and get involved with effective altruism. 

Speaking to Farrago, Singer had this to say:

‘Hi, as a former University of Melbourne Student, and actually a former assistant editor of Farrago, I’m delighted to be back at Melbourne University and I hope you’re still reading Farrago and I hope it’s a good newspaper like it always was, and I hope that it raises the really important issues of our day which are what we can contribute to making the world a better place for all sentient beings.’

2025 UniMelb GSA Election

Mathilda Stewart

The University of Melbourne Graduate Student Association (GSA) election wrapped up at the end of Week Seven of Semester. 

Positions for election included five Board positions, all Officer positions (Activities, Women’s International, Health and Welfare, Families, Queer, Education (Coursework), Education (Research), First Nations, Environment and Sustainability, Disability and Equity, Melbourne Online), as well as positions for the GSA Faculty Council, made up of one representative from each University faculty. 

The two tickets active during the election were Together for GSA, and another unnamed coalition of students. Returning Officer Stepehen Lutz commented that the election had seen decent voter turnout. Election results are expected to be released publically soon.

La Trobe University Creates New Student Council, sidelining the Latrobe Student Union

Mathilda Stewart

La Trobe University has this year established a new Student Council to be funded by Student Services and Amenities Fees, with inaugural elections being held in the first week of May. 

The move by La Trobe discounts the existing La Trobe Student Union (LTSU), which represents students on the Bundoora campus, and the La Trobe Student Association (LTSA), which represents students at the Albury/Wodonga, Bendigo, Mildura, Shepperton and City campuses.

Nominees for the new Student Council are forbidden from having been an elected member of ‘another student organisation’, having had ‘criminal charges (charged or pending’, or having ever breached any student behaviour or misconduct policies, and must have ‘satisfactory Academic Standing’. 

The LTSU has called the University’s proposal an attack on student voice, the LTSU, and independent student unionism, launching an open letter to oppose the Student Council and calling on the University to cancel its formation.