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Updated as at 6.15pm, Wednesday 22 May 2024

Kia ora, 

From tomorrow, Thursday 23 May, Canterbury Cards will not be required to access University buildings during normal daytime hours, however you should always carry your Canterbury Card with you when you are on campus. 

UC is committed to fostering diversity and equity on campus and I would like to emphasise the importance of respect, tolerance, and empathy for others. 

If you have any concerns about your security, you can contact UC Security 24/7 on either 0800 823 637 or 03 369 2888.  

I encourage you to email communications@canterbury.ac.nz if you have any questions. 

Ngā mihi, 

Paul O’Flaherty    

Kaihautū Matua Pūmanawa Tangata | Executive Director of People, Culture and Campus Life 

Updated as at 8pm, Tuesday 21 May 2024

Kia ora koutou,

The University of Canterbury supports the right of our students and staff to lawful protest, balanced with the responsibility to ensure the safety and wellbeing of UC students, staff, and visitors to campus.

This afternoon a protest gathering (including students and non-students) on C-block lawn moved to the Undercroft where protesters set up tents.

The Undercroft is a communal meeting and study space that also provides access for UC staff and students to several food outlets, the pharmacy, and the rest of the Puaka-James Hight building which houses the central library and student support services. These are important facilities for students to be able to access, especially as we enter the exam period at the end of Semester 1. Security will be present to provide assistance, ensure fire escapes are clear and that other key areas remain accessible to students and staff. Access to the Undercroft services and businesses will be via the concourse or external doors.

Canterbury Card ID will be required to access all University buildings on Ilam campus.

UC encourages respectful discourse on campus in line with the Student Code of Conduct and the Staff Code of Conduct, which are policies agreed to by all UC students and staff when they join UC. UC is committed to fostering diversity and equity on campus, and emphasises the importance of respect, tolerance, and empathy for others.

If you need support, you can reach out to student care or other UC wellbeing services. If any students do not wish to be on campus during the protests they can speak with their course coordinator regarding their options and how to best support their learning.

Any further updates will be posted here.

I encourage you to email communications@canterbury.ac.nz if you have any questions or concerns.

Ngā mihi,

Paul O’Flaherty  

Kaihautū Matua Pūmanawa Tangata | Executive Director of People, Culture and Campus Life

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As at Friday 17 May.

Kia ora koutou,

Protests are being planned on UC’s Ilam campus next Tuesday 21 May and Thursday 23 May in response to the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) supports the right of our students and staff to lawful protest, balanced with the responsibility to ensure the safety and wellbeing of UC students, staff and visitors to campus.

Our UC community is diverse, with more than 24,000 students and 5,000 staff holding a myriad of experiences and opinions, so we encourage respectful discussion on campus, in line with our Student Code of Conduct and Staff Code of Conduct, which are policies agreed to by all when they join UC.

UC academics and students have academic freedom to express and share their informed perspectives on matters of importance to them.

It’s important you know that UC does not invest in any companies which build or supply weapons or equipment for any military. This is in line with UC’s investing policies, that the University does not invest in armaments.

UC is committed to fostering diversity and equity on campus so ahead of next week’s protest activity, I would like to emphasise the importance of respect, tolerance, and empathy for others. If you need support, you can reach out to student care or other UC wellbeing services.

I encourage you email communications@canterbury.ac.nz if you have any questions or concerns.

Ngā mihi,

Paul O’Flaherty
Kaihautū Matua Pūmanawa Tangata | Executive Director of People, Culture and Campus Life

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