We wonder if you know the historical and cultural implications of this act. In the late 1960s the Victorian Government, acting against established convention, arranged for Victoria Police to enter University campuses. This was provocative at the time, widely unpopular, and this issue remains a point of contention for how university campuses in this nation are to rightly develop their academic culture of trust. We are sure that this is not the kind of act you would wish to be remembered by. The former Vice Chancellor, Louis Matheson, faced with a similar situation, is known to have changed his approach and instead opted for an approach which asked academic staff to openly attend demonstrations and sit-ins.
Students have to be encouraged to voice their misgivings and opposition.
Such encouragement needs to be handled sensitively, respecting students rights to publicly express their views. To our knowledge there is no threat of student violence. There are among us, academic staff who are willing to act in the way described above. Some have already done so. We fear that on this occasion the presence of police, and mounted police, is a product of your failure to adequately consult and discuss among the student and academic community of Monash about up-front fees for Monash places and the fundamental changes in the university system.