Like many others, I came to ANU with hope in my mind and the strong belief I’d made the right decision choosing the Australian National University to complete my undergraduate studies. 

I remember listening to Vice Chancellor Bell during the 2024 commencement address. The cool wind blowing in my face, and the hot sun shining through the trees. I was filled with hope, with confidence, but most importantly – with trust.

Since that day, Geneveive Bell has eroded that trust pillar by pillar rusting away at what ANU has historically offered students. In the VC’s commencement address speech, Bell told us we “have a responsibility to make the world a better place, to make it more fair, more just, [and] more sustainable”. But I would ask her this, have her cuts seriously achieved any of that? 

Students and staff alike are scared about every coming day. For students, if their courses or degrees will be cut, if their research advisor will be made redundant, and if learning opportunities will dissipate. 

For staff, if they’ll have a job tomorrow, if their colleagues will still be there the next day, and if what they’ve worked so hard for will remain. 

Students, and staff- we are ANU and we have to stand up against this egregious attempt at corporatising our beautiful university. Cutting our courses, our degrees, our jobs, our livelihoods- it will not stand. 

We will not forget your threats to scared staff to “find you out and hunt you down”. 

We will not forget your attacks at staff unions; NTEU. 

We will not forget your blatant attempt at gaslighting all of us and ignoring all of our concerns. 

You repeat your line about a projected $200 million deficit for 2024 when it actually was $140 million. But simultaneously you accept a salary near double of your predecessor. 

You complain to the Canberra Times that you’re “waiting to be complimented in a newspaper” and do your best to humanise yourself – but when will you humanise us? The people of ANU? We are not numbers. We are not simply figures for you to look at to cut. We are humans, people and we work for what we want. 

At the very least you should be focusing on supporting your staff, supporting your students. But you fail to even acknowledge us and our value and importance.

And I must say, while writing this I do fear for my degree, my place at this university, and what bullshit code of conduct you could file against me or this organisation. 

But to be honest I don’t give a shit and we- the people of ANU won’t stop calling out your cowardice actions. I, and I hope others as well, will not let fear shut me up like you so willingly hope from us. 

We will hold you accountable. 

We will not forget your decisions and threats. 

We are ANU, not you. 

Regards,

Kaab Qureshi

Woroni News Editor