RMIT University has dropped a misconduct case against a student who accused the institution of being “complicit in genocide” in Gaza because of its defence and aerospace research centre’s ties to weapons companies.
The move came after Guardian Australia revealed this week that the student, Gemma Seymour, faced potential suspension over a social media video in which she called for the university’s Sir Lawrence Wackett Defence and Aerospace Centre to be shut down.
The case had drawn attention because it centred on Seymour’s criticism of RMIT’s links to the defence industry and the university’s response to her comments. With the misconduct matter now dropped, the university has stepped back from the process that had raised the prospect of suspension.
The original complaint, as reported by Guardian Australia, was linked to Seymour’s public comments about the university’s role and its connection to weapons companies through the centre. Her remarks described RMIT as being complicit in the Gaza conflict, prompting the misconduct action that has now been withdrawn.
The development follows a week of scrutiny for the university after the report highlighted the potential consequences Seymour faced for the video. The matter had become a broader point of discussion about campus speech, institutional ties to defence-related industries and how universities respond to political criticism from students.
RMIT’s decision brings the misconduct case to an end, but the controversy over Seymour’s allegations and the university’s defence and aerospace research links remains part of the public discussion surrounding the issue.
