Letters of protest
During the 2005-2006 DOU campaign, this space allowed readers to edit, sign and send letters of protest to RMIT management. By late 2005 over 200 such messages had been copied to the DOU committee, alongside another hundred support emails and, separately, the public messages of support posted below and throughout. Union Solidarity (Melbourne) published a summary of its exemplary work, with and beyond this campaign, in 2007; see here.
posted by Defend Our Universities committee @ 10:00 am
37 Comments:
It is truly sad that our higher education institutions have become institutions of for the bland and boring.
Our universities need more academics like Dr Austin, not less. Dr Austin must not have his employment terminated because of the hate-mongering of commentators like Andrew Bolt.
This is a scary state of affairs, far too much like the politics of Hitler or Stalin. They're not killing their opposition yet but you have to start somewhere. Its right wing liberals ganging up on anybody who has a mind of their own. Just one more step by an agenda driven, pro-government, arrogant bureaucracy to brainwash the country into ignorance.
Dear Vice Chancellor
My daughter is starting her year 12 exams tomorrow and I have become far more involved in Victorian higher education as a result. This year, futures, courses, universities have been regularly discussed over dinner.
My daughter's first choice is not Spanish though she talks fondly of living there for a period, she's a good artist and appreciates Spanish art.
I have read on the Internet about the possibility of Dr Austin facing disciplinary action for acting on his belief that the present government's push for VSU was wrong. I fully agree with Dr Austin on this issue and I fully support the actions he took to cooperate with his students who wanted to vent their opposition in their own way.
From what I know of Dr Austin's contribution to the academic and social life of the university I would think he more deserves a commendation rather than the opposite.
On the basis that he got under Andrew Bolt's skin he must be an exceptional person and a full credit to the university. I hope you keep Dr Austin and try to get more staff like him.
David Silcock
I've read about the threatened sacking of Robert Austin, a respected lecturer and union activist. This looks like a case of blatant victimisation for taking a modest political stance, but it is also an assault on the most basic elements of academic freedom, suggesting that a form of McCarthyism has arrived in tertiary education in Melbourne. Good luck to Robert Austin and his supporters - let's hope that students and the NTEU mobilise effective action if the college's management doesn't back down from its threat.
George Binette, Camden UNISON/ Greater London UNISON European & International Sub-Committee (personal capacity)
It is becomming more and more clear to me that RMIT University does not care about students and their education. How can they get rid of the best teacher we have? And how can we let them! I say we flood the Vice Chanselor with our thoughts...any chance of a meeting with her?
Thea
It is truly a sad state of affairs... particularly scary in light of the coalition's IR 'reforms'... To Thea - A delegation is being formed to see the HOS of international and Community Studies - I'll keep you posted!
Dear Margaret Gardner,
As another left-wing academic - who has recently given up trying to find an academic position - with only a brief collegiate acquaintance with Robert Austin, I would like to protest this further rendering of our universities as a left-hostile environment.
Just what is it about the left-wing intelligentsia that you dislike so much anyway?
Is it because we care about the dignity and freedom of humanity?
Is it that we persist in working for a critically aware citizenry, because this is the only way the unfinished project of democracy can progress?
Because we see it as our professional duty to protest at the rich and powerful's exploitation of the vulnerable?
Because we despise and criticise those who persist with the barbaric practice of aggressive warfare?
Because we believe that a true 'Liberal' education provides a rounded and critically aware education that equips that person to become a fully active member of a democratic society?
Because we believe that you can not isolate career training from critical education in universities and not produce a soul-less, self-interested professional class with a limited world-view and fascist tendencies that will undermine our fledgling democracy?
Yes, Robert Austin has an obsession with the struggles of the South American people for freedom from oppression. That's because he is an academic with a profound passion for one particular subject, about which he knows a great deal. Isn't that what academics are supposed to be?
Robert Austin's students are intelligent people who have minds of their own, they will be able to decide for themselves if they agree with him or not - why not let them decide?
I'm wondering how RMIT university defines 'collegiality', if that was indeed a factor used against Dr Austin. My interpretation would be how the individual employee operates with his or her colleagues, what kind of relations he or she sustains in a team environment, that sort of thing. I don't really see what the re-scheduling of classes during the anti-VSU protests has to do with this.
Does anyone have any information on how RMIT defines 'collegiality'? I'm surprised no-one has raised this question.
The recent action by the RMIT should be perceived as an attack on the rights of academic staff to freedom of expression and association. Staff rescheduling of lectures for a variety of purposes - including political action by students - is a common practice at Universities including RMIT. So too, other accomodations are made for various activities of students. As a tutor at one University last year, I know that students were given extensions for a student to attend a (conservative) youth conference overseas. Extensions were also granted for attendance at sporting events interstate. These are all activities which ought to be encouraged at University. We should not discriminate on the basis of their perceived political orientation. I am now a full time PhD student and I commend Dr Austin for his actions in support of students and staff in this case. I call on all student and worker associations in Universities to express their support for Dr Austin.
Professor Gardner,
I am writing to you to express my concern regarding the recent dismissal of Dr Robert Austin, after his actions in re-scheduling classes to facilitate students attending an anti-VSU rally. While I am currently working as a professional engineer full-time, since 2004 I have also been a postgraduate at the University of NSW part time, so I am not unfamiliar with the noise surrounding VSU. While I do not completely agree with the strategy and views pushed to the forefront of the debate by many anti-VSU groups, I do nonetheless believe that student unions in themselves play an important role in maintaining balance in our education system.
Regardless of either your or my beliefs on this issue, the fact remains our society is still yet one of democracy and freedom of speech, and no one person or organisation has the right to prevent anyone from expressing their views, providing that they are not discriminatory. Universities pride themselves as being bastions of truth, where academics and students can come together to teach and learn without fear of reprisal. Your own website proudly states that RMIT has "built a worldwide reputation for excellence in vocational and technical education and research" (1). That reputation is worthless if you allow any political climate to influence your decisions as Vice Chancellor.
I direct your attention to your own inaugural speech on the 23rd of May this year, where you stated: "knowledge is created and transferred across global networks, respecting no physical, political or social boundaries, and universities are embedded in these networks" (2)
What a proud legacy your tenure as the Vice Chancellor of RMIT will be remembered as: it took you less than 6 months to compromise your values. If RMIT is a university that respects no political or social boundary, then why does it allow a political agenda to influence its decisions? I am fully aware of the grim reality, that our nation's higher education system has deteriorated to the point that its financial viability depends on pandering to the whim of the Federal Government. However as the leader of a modern University, with a world-wide reputation at stake, you also have an obligation to show some spine and stand up for what is right and true. Regardless of whether or not you agree with Dr Austin's views, his actions were not discriminatory, and given the huge contribution he has made to RMIT as an academic, you owe him some minimum level of loyalty as his superior.
I would also point out that it is common practise at the University of NSW for academics to regularly re-schedule classes. I personally have turned up at the locked doors of classrooms only to discover the lecture has been moved to another slot, cancelled for the week or that the lecturer is attending a teacher's union strike. Despite great inconvenience and irritation to myself, I have not subsequently demanded my lecturer's job be stripped from them in retribution! Attending a conference, being sick or just too slack to bother to E-Mail the class to remind them that a lecture had been mutually cancelled, is not grounds for dismissal.
To claim that RMIT is any different, or that its academic rigour is in any way compromised by this occasional practice, would be complete and utter nonsense.
I hope that you will stand by your own rhetoric and reconsider your decision to approve the dismissal of Dr Austin. Academics in Universities around the world will judge the reputation of RMIT by your conduct in this matter.
Regards,
Carl
Dear Professor Gardner
I write in protest at the termination of the employment by RMIT of Dr Robert Austin. This action can only be described as discrimination on political grounds.
I find ironic that on October 31 I found out both about Dr Austin's termination, and the news that the so-called VSU legislation would definitely not be implemented for next year. The latter is clearly the result of the widespread student, staff and community campaign against VSU. As you are well aware this legislation threatens thousands of jobs in the sector, the existence of a broad range of student services and campus activities, and the right of students to representation and advocacy.
You are no doubt relieved that the turmoil and funding burden that this legislation will cause your university has been at least delayed for a year. In this context you should be congratulating Dr Austin, not punishing him in such a harsh manner.
It is unbelievable that an academic who rescheduled a class for any other reason would have suffered such harsh discipline. The only possible conclusion is that Dr Austin is being punished for his political stance, rather than anything to do with his performance. In a period when the federal government is interfering with every aspect of university functioning, when Brendan Nelson demands an explanation from your counterpart at UWS because he did not like a speaker at that university, and when students can be questioned by federal police for legitimate research, this sets an extremely dangerous precedent.
I urge you to reverse this decision.
--
Nick Fredman
Student Rights Advocate
Southern Cross University (Lismore)
Student Representative Council
I would urge you to reconsider the sacking of Dr Robert Austin which has come to my attention. His action and academic record do not warrent such a response and put your university in a very poor light internationally. I have distributed information about his case to an international network of university researchers and urged them to contact you. Even if his behaviour was deemed unjustifiable by senior management the severity of the penality appears to be out of all proportion to his actions.
Yours faithfully
Dr James Crowther
Senior Lecturer
Higher and Community Education
The University of Edinburgh
I am writing to express my dismay over the recent dismissal of Robert Austin. I am currently studying spanish at level six, and have been amazed by the enormous improvements that Robert has made to the program in the short time he has been here.
After listening to suggestions made by students, he increased the number of hours of contact a week, providing students with volunteers to lead conversation classes. He has made important contacts in Latin America, enabling students to pursue exchange and internship opportunities. Our level six text books were changed this year, to a far more challenging and rewarding text. I feel I have learned more this semester then in any other previously.
Robert organised an 'end of semester fiesta' for the spanish faculty; a fantastic night of spanish food, music, dancing and conversation. If only all out teachers shared his passion for his subject.
The introduction of Latin American Studies, in 2006, will introduce students to the important issues and complexities of the continent. Australian students rarely have the chance to enjoy the expertise of someone of Robert's calibre; I believe only he can give this subject the weight it deserves.
I sincerley hope you will reconsider the descision to dismiss Robert Austin. He has made an outstanding contribution to the Spanish and International Studies faculty, and has always given his students the utmost care and respect.
I read your message with great distress. You may recall that I was the lone U3A estudiante en su clase de espanol ... & although I have attended university at monash as an economics & politics student .. many years ago and more recently taught at schools & tertiary insts. & been a student of U3A ... I found Robert Austin's classes stimulating & was very pleased to receive his many acts of kindness ...
I do wish Robert well and of course Robert will be a great loss to RMIT... so I hope he continues ... As we used to say 'don't let the b.... get you down'
Dear Sir/Madam
Having read the flyer passed to me about the sacking of Austin I must point out to you that despite the Howard governments best efforts to the contrary, Australia remains a democratic country with the right of free speech.
It seems as though Austin was merely encouraging his students to think for themselves and stand up for their rights which are increasingly being eroded.
In the words of the great Voltaire " I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it".
This is what makes Australia the country it is today, and NO ONE should face any disciplinary action merely for encouraging people to use their right of free speech.
Taking away this right is what countries that are under dictatorships do, the type Howard, Bush et all rant against but seek to emulate. Australians will not allow this to happen.
Austin must be re-instated - he sounds like a perfect role model for young minds and a last bastion of sanity in this crazy word we live in
Wendi Nisbet
Investigations Co-ordinator
Just Car Insurance
Dear Ms Gardener,
I am writing this email in total opposition to the order for the termination of the academic contract of Dr Robert Austin.
I feel that the circumstances in which this action has gone ahead have been politically motivated and express my extreme discomfort about the encroachment of political agendas within the university environment.
Are we not all about the dissemination of information to enable the individual to make informed choices??
Without any other prejudice, Dr Austin would be a huge benefit to any educational institution, and your decision to terminate his employment contract is ludicrous at best.
By ordering the termination of Dr. Austin's contract, you are effectively stifling the legitimate criticism of governmental and societal regimes by individuals of academia who, have every right to publicise their own beliefs and opinions in the interest of intellectual freedom. Nothing is to be gained by the intimidation of those who we trust to teach our next generations. If we cannot trust them to instil a sense of individual and societal responsibility, in contrast to total servitude to the regime of government then our educational institutions will become the laughing stock of the globe.
However, it seems from a surfacial level, that Dr Austin’s views on union membership and the essential nature of compulsory student unionism for the good of the student body as a whole have dictated the agenda in this case, and your well publicised approval of the poorly named VSU debate.
Please, fulfil your responsibility to the children of today and enable them to have the best possible education, not merely a government sanctioned one, for if we condemn our future to this then we can only ever have individuals who will blindly follow improper and incorrect decisions in the future as they will have no role models to aspire to who are unafraid to rock the boat and prompt them to think about matters for themselves.
I conclude in hope that you will not bow to the political pressures of the suppressive and Neoconservative administration with which this country is burdened with at the moment, and take a close look at the true role of academia.
Sincerely
Ryan Shaw
Sacked for having an opinion
RMIT lecturer, Dr Robert Austin, has been told his position will be terminated because he encouraged students to attend a political rally. The administration of RMIT took action against the long-time union member after rightwing media reports criticised his political activities. There are two extremely worrying issues that the action against Dr Austin raises.
1. That a worker will be given the arse because he dared to take political action around issues that concerned him.
2. The administration of a public university are allowing their industrial relations to be run by an anti-union rag such as the Herald Sun.
Please get involved to stop the sacking of Robert Austin.
It is truly a disgrace that an institution such as RMIT bares impact from the cheap reactionary commentary of the likes of Andrew Bolt.
For Bolt's part I do not believe that much more could be expected - he is at least open about his political bias and agenda. For an academic institution to not only respond in equal manner, but to do so in such a way that denies fair process and awards no credence to student objection is unacceptable.
I have been following this case from a distance, and note that to date the only charge brought against Dr Austin is that his conduct is not considered to have been 'collegial'- an accusation only made after the comments made in Bolt's article.
Since when has RMIT taken it's stance on academic freedom, industrial relations and political activity from a tabloid? Since when does RMIT use personal, minority opinions as an impetus for political attacks against it's own academic staff?
The motives of RMIT management are clearly questionable in this case as with many before. The attacks on Dr Austin appear to be either overtly political or personal, even to the outsider.
Does RMIT's ever turbulent management truly believe that it can afford any more embarrasment?
It does not help that the show of weakness and lack of support by the RMIT NTEU branch leadership is as disturbing as it is shamefully predictable. Perhaps their motives are equally questionable?
Solidarity Statement for Defend Our Universities — Defend Robert Austin meeting
On behalf of both the Freedom Socialist Party and Radical Women — two socialist feminist organisations — we send solidarity greetings to this meeting to defend Robert Austin and campaign to stop his unjust sacking by a vindictive RMIT management.
Both organisations strongly support this struggle, because we believe it is vital to defend the right to be a radical on the job. Those who are individually targeted because of their political or union activism are held up by management as examples to other workers that we must put up and shut up. Well we won’t!
We need more teachers like Robert Austin who show solidarity with the students they teach. It is appalling that Robert’s job is threatened for rescheduling classes so that his students could attend the National Day of Action against Voluntary Student Unionism.
Both Radical Women and the Freedom Socialist Party are veterans in the fight against victimisation and workplace discrimination. Both authors of this solidarity message have been sacked or not had contracts renewed because of their principled political and industrial activities. And both have organised and fought back.
This campaign is already off to a good start because it is characterising the issues, exposing management tactics and has formed a defence committee to build a broad public fight back. Both Radical Women and the Freedom Socialist Party have sent protest messages to RMIT management and both organisations have committed to spread the word as widely as possible and mobilise support to overturn Robert’s sacking.
A combination of industrial and political action can force RMIT management to back down from its plans to terminate Robert Austin’s position. While every avenue must be pursued, we cannot rely on appeals and legal processes to win. Let’s get cracking. Stop the sacking of Robert Austin! Defend the right to dissent on campus!
In solidarity
Alison Thorne,
CPSU workplace delegate and Melbourne Freedom Socialist Party Organiser
Debbie Brennan,
ASU workplace delegate and Melbourne Radical Women Organiser
Dear Professor Gardner
DISMISSAL OF ACADEMIC ROBERT AUSTIN
I write on behalf of Monash University Branch of NTEU to protest the dismissal of Dr. Robert Austin.
Just as university staff members everywhere occasionally seek the assistance and cooperation of students as they pursue staff interests, so university students everywhere occasionally seek the assistance and cooperation of staff as they pursue student interests. For many months, students have been increasingly concerned about the Federal Government’s Voluntary Student Unionism legislation (which we understand you have also publicly opposed) and have been campaigning strongly around this VSU issue.
On 10 August, the National Union of Students had organised a major protest rally and had explicitly requested NTEU to ask its academic members to do whatever they were able to assist students to attend this rally, including the re-scheduling of classes (where this was appropriate). Our information is that Dr. Austin followed this advice by re-scheduling his classes, so that his students could (if they wished) attend the rally. For this action, we understand that he has been dismissed for “lack of collegiality”, to take effect in six months.
NTEU members at Monash have asked me to write to express their abhorrence at this unwarranted action and at the apparent lack of proper process surrounding this dismissal (in accordance with the disciplinary provisions of the university’s Enterprise Agreement). We are appalled that a Vice-Chancellor at a respected major metropolitan university would countenance such arbitrary staff handling processes.
We urge you to reverse your decision.
Yours faithfully
Dr. Sandra Cockfield
Branch Secretary
Dear Vice-Chancellor,
As both a graduate of RMIT University (Bachelor of Social Science, Industrial Relations Stream) and as the ex-SUC City Campus Activities Chairperson 2000, I request that you reconsider your decision to terminate Dr Robert Austin.
As a result of my studies and activism at RMIT I believe that no academic should be discriminated against for their political activity or union membership.
The SUC has, and continues to provide the only voice for RMIT students and must be protected against the proposed regressive federal VSU legislation at all costs.
RMIT has an obligation to its students to support them in their campaign to scrap this proposed legislation. Combine this with RMIT’s employment responsibilities, as per the Victorian Equal Opportunity Act 1995, not to discriminate against employees for political belief or activity? and it becomes clear that the termination is both nonsensical and most probably illegal.
Historically RMIT has provided an excellent sociological and industrial relations curriculum that clearly acknowledges the important role of unions in Australian society.
In making the decision to terminate Dr. Austin RMIT has acted against the best interest of its staff, its students and its standing as a reputable educational institution.
An appropriate course of action would be to withdraw any notice of termination and meet with Dr. Austin and his NTEU representative to discus, in good faith, an appropriate way of resolving any outstanding issues.
Yours sincerely,
Christian Bombig
Industrial Organiser
CPSU SPSF Victorian Branch
Having known Robert and his family for about a decade I feel comfortable making comment about the man and his commitment to work.
An association with Robert over this time has taught me that,while not without his idiosyncracies,he is undoutedly dedicated,highly skilled and well connected in his field and this is reflected in the high esteem with which he is widely held.
Given Robert's skill and international standing his attempted dismissal without good reason smacks of something sinister.Whether it be the personal ambition of vested interests,the madness of the paranoid Right or some other less than open or honest reason is not clear. But whatever the motive, the broader public interest,the interests of future students and the academic reputation of the faculty will not be served by this mans removal.The best that can come will be the faculties decline into mediocrity.
One is forced to wonder if the senior management of RMIT are devoid of balanced judgement and morality.
Ian Hayward
Sr. Vice-Chancellor
Por medio del presente correo, quiero manifestar mi apoyo a las gestiones de Robert Austin en defensa de su trabajo universitario. En Chile sus labores académicas se remontan a fines de los años setenta, cuando inicia su estrecha relación con la realidad y problemas educacionales del país, en momentos en que la dictadura militar golpeó con fuerza al país, momentos en que el continente fue subyugado por sucesivos dictadores. Desde esa fecha y hasta ahora, han sido innumerables los aportes hechos a la discusión y fortalecimiento de las ciencias sociales y humanidades nacionales. Su docencia, sus investigaciones y sus publicaciones han motivado aquí muchos procesos académicos. Como una investigación realizada por mi con motivo de su reciente libro: 'Intelectuales y Educación Superior en Chile'. Investigación que profundizó en los aportes de Robert Austin a la problematización de las exclusiones en nuestra educación superior. Investigación que fue publicada, en forma de artículo, en la última revista del Departamento de Sociología de la Universidad de Chile, la principal universidad del país.
Desde aquí vemos que desestimar la labor y el punto de vista de Robert Austin es empobrecer la formación de los profesionales de vuestra universidad y, también, mermar las discusiones sobre el presente y futuro de América Latina. En el Chile neoliberal actual, las visiones como las de Robert Austin son muy escasas y por ello son tan valoradas, porque nos otorgan un punto de vista diferente que permite oxigenar las discusiones y catalizar -movilizar, crear- nuevas soluciones para los viejos proiblemas. Vayan mis reconocimientos y agradecimnientos públicos a Robert Austin. Atentamente, ANDRÉS.
Santiago de Chile, 09 de diciembre de 2005
Andrés Donoso Romo
Becario CONICYT Magíster en Estudios Latinoamericanos
Universidad de Chile
Dear Professor Gardner
I am writing to support Dr. Robert Austin and the NTEU in their campaign against Dr Austin’s termination of employment.
It appears from information detailed by the NTEU RMIT Branch and the messages of public support that RMIT is denying Dr Austin natural justice with regard to his termination of employment and that the University is breaching RMIT processes regarding staff probation.
The Howard Government is attacking University funding, attempting to tie university funding to enforce industrial relation changes it wants to implement and is attacking students’ rights by passing the voluntary student unionism Act. All of these actions by the Howard Government seek to control the freedom of universities to engage employees under enterprise agreements and to curtail academic freedom and the rights of students to engage in genuine academic debate. At a time when RMIT’s very existence is under attack from the Howard Government and by your actions with regard to Dr Austin’s employment, it seems that RMIT wants to stifle academic debate and the rights of staff to articulate an alternative point of view.
The ETU calls on RMIT to rescind the sacking of Dr Austin and provide a public statement reconfirming RMIT’s commitment to academic freedom, proper process and the principles of natural justice.
Yours sincerely
Dean Mighell
Branch Secretary, Southern States
Electrical Trades Union
Dear Vice Chancellor,
In light of the current discussions regarding Dr. Robert Austin's position as the Course Coordinator for the Spanish Department, I would like to extend my support for Dr. Austin to stay appointed in this position as I have personally experienced his excellent teaching style and witnessed his commitment to growing the program and making it relevant to all RMIT students.
I was very impressed, as a final year Business Entrepreneurship student, at Dr. Austin's full support and commitment to a Social Entrepreneurship project (assignment) I was working on in Semester 2, with Dr. Austin's support my business classmates and I were able to create a cross-disciplinary committee that ran a Latin language and culture event which brought together people from the wider Latin community and students studying Spanish. It was a huge success and will continue to run in the coming years.
Finally I would like to comment on Dr. Austin's democratic teaching style and friendly open-door policy and I have thus recommended his Spanish program to all the Entrepreneurship students. In the New Year I will be travelling to Colombia in South America and will be keeping in touch with Dr. Austin to see if we can create some ties between learning centres in Bogota (the capital city) and RMIT in Melbourne. As I'm now Alumni student, I am very keen to continue helping this program grow and consequently increase RMIT's status in the academic community.
Kindest regards,
Candice Thompson
This letter is also supported by: Jade Springer, Doug Graham and Greg Bryant (all RMIT Students).
I write to express my concern at the dismissal of Dr Robert Austin from his position as Course Coordinator of Spanish and Lecturer in the School of International and Community Studies, and propose that you reverse this decision in the interests of natural justice. I understand that Dr Austin has an established reputation as a fine teacher and scholar, that RMIT acknowledged this with his unanimous appointment, and that his probation report in both these areas is admirable.
On its web page, RMIT claims to support the values of "global imagination", "learning and personal growth", "ethical behaviour and responsibility", "cultural diversity" and "fairness to all". It is difficult to reconcile such goals with Austin's dismissal. Management has relied on an Andrew Bolt attack on Dr Austin after he re-scheduled classes so interested students could attend the National Day of Action against the Howard government's Voluntary Student Unionism legislation. This initiative was consistent both with a call from the NTEU to reschedule classes and not penalise students for attending the rally, and your own public opposition to the VSU. The Howard-Nelson agenda seeks to suppress academic freedom and basic student rights, including the right to open debate and public protest. Opposition to it should be supported, not used as grounds for dismissal.
When a university allows tabloid commentators to determine its agenda, it can no longer claim to be pursuing knowledge or promoting spaces where academics and students teach and learn without fear of reprisal. RMIT claims on its website to have "built a worldwide reputation for excellence in vocational and technical education and research." That reputation is meaningless if you stifle debate and promote conformism as Vice Chancellor.
Regardless of whether or not you agree with Dr Austin's views, his actions respond to the great traditions of liberal universities. Therefore, I call upon you to rescind Austin's dismissal, and to make a public statement reconfirming RMIT's commitment to academic freedom, due process and natural justice.
Sincerely,
Daryl Croke (ASU)
Dear Professor Gardner
I am writing this letter to you because of my concern for both RMIT and Robert Austin.
My association with RMIT goes back for over 20 years when I was invited by the then director, Brian Smith, to address the senior staff on educational policy at their annual retreat. I have supervised the PhD of one senior academic on your staff and examined the PhD thesis of another. I have also examined two student PhD theses, one in 2005. I am currently a member of the Youth Work Program Advisory Committee for the newly revised Bachelor of Social Science (Youth Work).
I mention these connections because I want to assure you that I write as a friend of RMIT and a particular supporter of its tradition of providing tertiary educational studies to less affluent students and as one who wishes the best for the university’s future.
I’ve known Robert Austin for the past 15 years, in particular as a colleague in the Australian and New Zealand Comparative and International Educational Society. As you probably know, Robert’s PhD thesis dealt with the work of Latin American educator, Paolo Freire, in Chile and Robert has always had an interest in educational policy in the Spanish-speaking world. I was delighted when I learnt of his appointment and felt that RMIT would benefit significantly from it.
My understanding of Robert Austin’s case is that he received very positive rating for his research, teaching, program development and for opening up opportunities internationally for students to study in Spanish-speaking universities but that he was judged to be unsuitable because of his lack of collegiality. My understanding is that the only violation of policy with which Robert was involved and which led to the decision to terminate his services was to reschedule a class so that students could attend a student rally against the elimination of compulsory student unionism in Australian higher education. While it is unfortunate that he did not receive permission to reschedule this class, I cannot believe that this could possibly be the reason for his termination. This anti student union policy was, as you know, opposed by many Australian vice chancellors including yourself. Someone like myself, sympathetic but not directly involved in the university, is left with the horrible fear that he is being terminated because of his political views and his union activism. His critical intellectual stance as a Latin American scholar could not have been a surprise to anyone appointing him since it suffuses his published work both in Spanish and English. If there are other serious allegations against Robert they must surely be evidenced in some way, that is, I believe it could not be seen to be part of the course of natural justice for him to be terminated for behaviour not documented and not part of his file. If your advisers believe that the process so far has in fact demonstrated natural justice I must take issue with them.
I must warn you and the university that this case is unlikely to go away any time soon, that is, I’m very much afraid if Robert is terminated it will be seen by scholars and other universities as a black mark against RMIT. I can’t imagine that anyone at RMIT wants this to happen given among other things the financial difficulties that the university is struggling to overcome. I would hope that the process of termination could still be aborted or at the very least any serious charges of misbehaviour be made part of the public record.
Please believe me that I write this letter to you with a great deal of sadness.
Yours sincerely
Roger R Woock
Former Principal Research Fellow
Youth Research Centre
The University of Melbourne
Former Deputy Dean and Head of Department
The University of Melbourne
Former Professor and Head of Department
The University of Calgary
Former Professor and Head of Department
University at Buffalo
Reports that I have received about the treatment of the well-known and highly respected Robert Austin, Lecturer in Spanish and International Studies at RMIT, have been disturbing. I have lectured at RMIT and for several decades I have served as an outside reader for numerous doctoral dissertations in universities throughout Australia. The contents of these reports have little in common with my own personal experiences in working with progressive Australian scholars and students. The unprofessional, disrespectful and mean-spirited treatment of Dr. Austin appears to have been instigated by a small cabal of reactionary officials of RMIT. I strongly object to the treatment of Dr. Austin and urge RMIT to make amends before the international damage to the reputation of RMIT worsens. Academic freedom must remain the centerpiece of our institutions of higher learning. If we lose that, we are in a sorry state, indeed.
Peter McLaren
Professor
Graduate School of Education and Information Studies
University of California, Los Angeles
I am writing to you regarding the impending dismissal of Dr. Robert Austin, Lecturer in Spanish & International Studies at your university. It appears this dismissal is part of a growing climate within Australian universities which is threatening the very concept of academic freedom and quality education and destined to seriously reduce the independence of university teaching and research at RMIT University unless you and other members of the university administration reverse the actions that you have taken to date. I find the facts surrounding this case to be particularly alarming, especially since "RMIT University began as the Working Men's College in La Trobe Street, Melbourne in 188t [and] the university has grown to become one of the largest in the country and has built a worldwide reputation for excellence in vocational and technical education and research., with over 57,000 students studying at the RMIT campuses in Melbourne and regional Victoria, Vietnam, online, by distance education, and at partner institutions throughout the world."
From the information that has come to my attention, it appears that an informal alliance appears to have formed between the right-wing Sun Herald polemicist Andrew Bolt and the new head of International and Community Studies at RMIT. It seems that "both are of the view that industrial action in support of students in their opposition to (the misnamed) Voluntary Student Unionism (VSU) is not a legitimate academic activity," and they have castigated Dr Austin’s re-scheduling of his classes to allow students to attend the National Day of Action against VSU on 10 August, even when this action had the almost-unanimous support of students, National Tertiary Education Union backing, and the knowledge of immediate management at the university. As I understand the circumstances, Dr. Austin re-scheduled the class, it was not canceled, and none of his students were forced to go to the rally. I also understand that many other lecturers encouraged students to attend the rally to protest the government's stance.
The media reports that I have read indicate that "the Head of School (HOS) and the relevant Pro Vice-Chancellor have used their positions to intimidate sessional teaching staff." One account indicates that on 30 September, 2005, two university managers saw fit to accost Robert Austin and a woman union representative who were having coffee with sessional staff in a public cafe, off campus. This report indicates that the following week, "the HOS compelled all Spanish sessional staff to attend a meeting on Dr Austin’s ‘collegiality’ by issuing a ‘lawful directive’. The report alleges that "the probation meetings organized by the HOS were little more than an opportunity to launch a tirade of insults and provocations, and during the first to harass the woman union delegate" who was involved.
I know Dr. Austin and he is a senior scholar of international repute with considerable academic experience in Latin America, where he has had full professorial status. He has published seven books, many articles and given a large number of professional presentations at international academic conference. I have been informed by a reputable source that his probation report of 28 September, 2005 acknowledges his ‘excellent’ research performance and ‘commendable’ teaching, and that his efforts at RMIT have contributed to a ‘considerably more attractive’ Spanish program. I have also been informed that enrollments have increased by over 20 per cent since his arrival at RMIT. To his credit, it also seems that Dr Austin has established staff-student exchange programs with prestigious Latin American and Spanish universities, and he has just won five federally-funded student scholarships to Chile for 2006. Moreover, he has accepted an offer to become an Honorary Fellow of the University of Melbourne. Finally, it is reported that he has improved the Spanish program beyond previous expectations since his arrival, including extending the amount of hours a week at students request, and that he has set up partnerships with universities in Chile, Venezuela and Argentina.
The dismissal of Dr. Austin appears to make a mockery of RMIT’s proclaimed values of ‘ethical behavior and responsibility’, ‘cultural diversity’ and ‘fairness to all’, and it appears to be yet another example of the dangerous shift to the political right in Australian academia.
I am circulating this message to my network of colleagues throughout the world to apprise them of the violations of academic freedom and human rights involved in this situation. It is my sincerest hope and expectation that they will be as outraged and indignant as I am. I urge you to reconsider the action that has been taken against Dr. Austin and defend the good reputation of your university by continuing his employment at your institution and respecting his rights of academic freedom and civic activism.
Sincerely
Richard L. Harris, PhD (9 January)
Managing Editor of the Journal of Developing Societies Professor of Global Studies and World Languages and Cultures California State University, Monterey Bay
http://home.csumb.edu/h/harrisrichard/world/
Also signed by Tariq Ali (11 January)
Novelist, historian, political campaigner and one of New Left Review’s editors
http://www.tariqali.org/
Dear Vice Chancellor
I am currently out of the country visiting a host of universities with which RMIT's Environment and Planning Programme has active student exchange (and hopefully soon, research) relationships - right now in Toronto.
I have only met Robert twice - at a public meeting about the proposed merger between his school and mine where he spoke most eloquently about the need for a democratic and inclusive process which clearly was not happening and dismayed rank and file staff, and in our mutual interest in Timor Leste where RMIT has hopes of making some contribution to that nation's rebuilding process.
So I do not know the full story but from what I have heard, management have been less than straight and upfront in their dealings. I have been through a redundancy process myself at RMIT with managers who never explained what their complaints about me were (still do not, other than I was of the wrong political persuasion and too loud-mouthed)and so live to fight another day. So I hope due respect and due process is being followed in Austen's case and if there are any doubts, the benefit must go to the person against whom redundancy proceedings are being pressed. Whatever the technical details, natural justice must be seen to prevail.
In your public address to RMIT people you talked of a future of global partnerships and in a world where Spanish is the most spoken language, having staff with that facility and a knowledge of how Latin American societies and universities operate, is a vital resource.
Associate Professor John Jackson
Environment and Planning Programme
RMIT School of Social Science and Planning
http://www.tce.rmit.edu.au/ss&p/
Good luck Robert. I left RMIT and found a new and normal life outside. 70 percent of the problem is management incompetence and unfortunately there are small factions of staff who are so frightened about losing their jobs, they'll side with management.
RMIT has ossified and become a case study in world's worst organisational communication practice. You have my total support.
Malcolm King
Former RMIT Academic and Programs Manager
Dear Vice Chancellor,
I write to express my concern at the dismissal of Dr Robert Austin from his position as Course Coordinator of Spanish and Lecturer in the School of International and Community Studies, and propose that you reverse this decision in the interests of natural justice. I am professionally aware of Dr Austin´s high and well-earned reputation as an excellent teacher and scholar, and assume RMIT acknowledged this with his unanimous appointment. I have been informed that his probation report in both these areas is more than acceptable.
On its web page, RMIT claims to support the values of "global imagination", "learning and personal growth", "ethical behaviour and responsibility", "cultural diversity" and "fairness to all". It is difficult to reconcile such goals with Dr Austin's dismissal. Management appears to have relied on an Andrew Bolt attack on Dr Austin following his responsible and principled re-scheduling of classes so interested students could attend the National Day of Action against the Howard government's Voluntary Student Unionism legislation. Regardless of the merits or otherwise of this initiative, which was in fact consistent both with a call from the NTEU to reschedule classes and not penalise students for attending the rally, and your own public opposition to the VSU, Dr Austin´s behaviour in rescheduling classes is clearly beyond reproach. The Howard-Nelson agenda seeks to suppress academic freedom and basic student rights, including the right to open debate and public protest, and actions enabling students to participate in such debate and protest should be supported, not used as grounds for dismissal of their lecturer.
When a university allows tabloid commentators to determine not only its agenda but also its human resource functions, it can no longer claim to be either independent or pursuing knowledge or promoting spaces where academics and students teach and learn without fear of reprisal. RMIT claims on its website to have "built a worldwide reputation for excellence in vocational and technical education and research." That reputation is meaningless if you stifle debate and promote conformism as Vice Chancellor.
Regardless of whether or not you agree with Dr Austin's views, his actions are commensurate with the great traditions of liberal universities. Therefore, I call upon you to rescind his dismissal, and to make a public statement reconfirming RMIT's commitment to academic freedom, due process and natural justice.
Sincerely,
Julie Webb-Pullman
Independent Journalist
Dear Vice Chancellor,
It is with great concern that I have read about the impending dismissal of Dr Robert Austin. I am writing in my capacity as a former RMIT University postgraduate research student and tutor on the School of Applied Communication, and as a current staff member at the University of Melbourne.
I am writing to urge that you reconsider dismissing Dr Austin as the reasons for doing so absolutely undermine an individual's right, and an
academic's duty of care, to generate political awareness and discussion in a collegial environment. I would like to emphasise that staff do have a right to encourage students to, at the very least, analyse and consider what their own views on VSU legislation might be. In doing so, they have a right to attend rallies or to NOT to attend rallies.
No staff member is able to force students to protest, in much the same way that staff might urge students to watch a particular TV program, listen to a particular radio program, or to attend a particular museum exhibition, all of which are likely to contain persuasive political content of some variety. Does the University really want to insult its own student populace by assuming that they cannot make up their own mind about a VSU rally?
That Dr Austin will be dismissed because he rescheduled classes so students could attend the rally IF THEY CHOSE TO, and one which was
supported by the NTEU and the VC office, is astounding. Why give so much weighting to the views of one particular, deliberately provocative, Herald Sun journalist? It is astonishing that a large and esteemed university is prepared to buckle to one commentator's views.
Once again, I urge you to reconsider your position in this matter. By all accounts, Dr Austin is a respected and effective staff member. Do not make a scapegoat out of of him. Give RMIT University the reputation for being a strong University that does not bow to pressure by one particular commentator. Let staff and students know that their individual and/or collective views are respected and that they will not be censored or punished by RMIT University.
I would appreciate your reply to this email.
Kind regards,
Jessica Raschke
--
Dr Jessica Raschke
Department of English with Cultural Studies
University of Melbourne
Upon completing the academic year of 2005 I was shocked to learn of the potential sacking of Robert Austin, however I was devastated to learn the purported grounds on which such action was being taken. As a mature age student I believe that it is imperative that young students be informed about events that impact on their learning experience and be provided with every opportunity to participate in activities that serve as a platform for voicing their views. I was less surprised to learn that the university had strategically waited until students had left for year to carry out their action. Upon returning in 2006 and learning that Robert Austin has in-fact been sacked (despite tremendous student protest) I can’t help reflect on the hypocrisy of values such as ‘acceptance of diversity’ and ‘freedom of speech’ promoted by the university. As a Brazilian-Australian I am unnerved by the similarities found in my parents stories of life under the military dictatorship and the current events at RMIT. Robert Austin is infinitely knowledgeable in his chosen field and is extremely well liked by students. His unjust dismissal serves to highlight the insidious political nature of the university administration and if upheld will be a very significant loss to the International Studies program.
Dear Vice Chancellor,
We have known Dr Robert Austin for a number of years, both as ordinary citizens and professionals, from various fields both academic and non-academic. We have found Dr Austin (or 'Roberto' as he is amicably called by the Latin American community in Sydney and Melbourne) to be a committed intellectual, devoted to his research interests, and perhaps, too honourable of a person in this day and age of 'economic rationalism', attacks on critical perspectives, and independent thought in general. From a realistic perspective, we must admit, these are dark times indeed.
Regardless of your reasons to dismiss Dr Austin, we sincerely beleive that you take a moment to think about your position on the matter, and try to understand, that he had the best interests of RMIT and its students at heart. It was in the true liberal traditions of the university's founders.
Dr Austin is an honourable man but he is also a reasonable one. It is our opinion, that a step in the right direction would be to engage in dialouge with Dr Austin, to clarify any misunderstandings, and to strive, for a win-win outcome. We beleive this would be a positive step and the best way forward as it would be in the interest of RMIT to uphold its traditional values and to take a non-partisan approach towards the matter. Failure to do so would not only demonstrate the endorsement of anti-liberal views, as exemplified in Andrew Bolt's article, but support for attacks on academic freedom and democratic rights. Is this what we really want for our universities?
Therefore, our letter is a simple one, but one which we think lies at the heart of the issue; that Dr Austin's case is worth pursuing with mutual understanding and dialouge, rather than defamatory articles published by career extremists, which, if endorsed, could lead to regrettable consequences for our universities. Simply put, it may serve as a 'greenlight' to sack academics with sensible views on important issues affecting higher education. To take sides like this is unethical.
It is the responsibility of intellectuals to tell the truth and expose lies. Dr Austin did nothing wrong. Our contribution to this discussion is that we can all make a difference and it is never too late to set a good example. Dr Austin is a well respected individual in the Latin American community. On our behalf, we beleive his case merits review.
Respectfully yours,
The Latin American community,
Sydney, Australia.
Dear Vice Chancellor,
I write to express my concern at the dismissal of Dr Robert Austin from his position as Course Coordinator of Spanish and Lecturer in the School of International and Community Studies, and propose that you reverse this decision in the interests of natural justice. I understand that Dr Austin has an established reputation as a fine teacher and scholar, that RMIT acknowledged this with his unanimous appointment, and that his probation report in both these areas is admirable.
On its web page, RMIT claims to support the values of "global imagination", "learning and personal growth", "ethical behaviour and responsibility", "cultural diversity" and "fairness to all". It is difficult to reconcile such goals with Austin's dismissal. Management has relied on an Andrew Bolt attack on Dr Austin after he re-scheduled classes so interested students could attend the National Day of Action against the Howard government's Voluntary Student Unionism legislation. This initiative was consistent both with a call from the NTEU to reschedule classes and not penalise students for attending the rally, and your own public opposition to the VSU. The Howard-Nelson agenda seeks to suppress academic freedom and basic student rights, including the right to open debate and public protest. Opposition to it should be supported, not used as grounds for dismissal.
When a university allows tabloid commentators to determine its agenda, it can no longer claim to be pursuing knowledge or promoting spaces where academics and students teach and learn without fear of reprisal. RMIT claims on its website to have "built a worldwide reputation for excellence in vocational and technical education and research." That reputation is meaningless if you stifle debate and promote conformism as Vice Chancellor.
I have witnessed Dr. Austin lecturing students in the University of Arts and Social Sciences in Santiago de Chile, where his democratic pluralism opens their views and minds to different perspectives absolutely basic in society. Regardless of whether or not you agree with Dr Austin's views, his actions respond to the great traditions of liberal universities.
Therefore, I call upon you to rescind Austin's dismissal, and to make a public statement reconfirming RMIT's commitment to academic freedom, due process and natural justice.
Sincerely,
Luis Rodolfo Allemand
AMWU
Dear Sir/Madam,
I was enrolled in Spanish I with tutors Robert Austin and Viviana Ramírez in the Institute for Modern Languages at the University of Queensland in 2002 and 2003.
I have been disheartened to hear about Robert Austin's dismissal from RMIT as I found his and Viviana's course most inspiring. At the time of completion I sent a letter of sincere gratitude to Robert and Viviana for all their efforts over the semester I attended their course. I noted that while in the past I had only had cursory attempts at learning a language, that I thoroughly enjoyed their classes and was highly inspired to complete more sessions, due in the most part to Robert and Viviana themselves. I asked IML at that time if there was any possibility of continuing with Robert and Vivianna. There wasn't at that stage, but there were other courses, in which I enrolled and commenced, but my next tutor was much less engaging, and as such, I did not complete the course.
Robert and Viviana's course included a great mix of attention to grammar usage, pronunciation and cultural insights. As a class we were encouraged to participate as much as possible, and I believe that I gained much from my time at IML, largely due to Robert and Viviana.
An example of this is when we went through our assessment, which was extremely beneficial to me. It was a great surprise to me to find that I could quite easily put together a basic conversation and feel somewhat confident in my pronunciation. I felt that our tutors were integral to my achievements.
One of my most cherished components of the course was the cultural understanding I gained and the encouragement to do something innovative for the cultural component of the assessment. I was very pleased that this innovation was encouraged by the IML courses, and particularly by Robert and Viviana.
Having noted my great experiences, I would have pursued my Spanish to a much greater level had I been assured that I could have Robert and Viviana as my tutors. I firmly believe that our universities and courses should be teaching all components of cultures, which is something that I feel was achieved with Robert and Viviana. Although I am unaware of the intricate details of the dismissal ar RMIT, as a former student, I would like to express my sadness for those future students that will be missing out on the great teacher that Robert is.
I would be happy to elaborate on any part of this letter if it would assist.
Regards, Vanessa Harvey
Post a Comment
<< Home