Late last month, ANUSA launched a new protest coalition with “key activist campaigns, and concerned students and staff”, titled the ‘Tear Down the Poster Policy’ campaign, run conjointly with the ‘No Cuts at ANU’ group.

Approved and endorsed by the recent ANUSA Annual General Meeting as a subcommittee, it operates autonomously within the structure of the student union and is convened by the Clubs Officer.

The program has been implemented in response to the new ANU campus policy that heavily restricts the parameters of putting up posters from any individual, club or political group.

ANU approved parameters include: 

• Posters must be confined to an approved noticeboard 
• A mandatory attribution to a registered ANU club, organisation or individual
• Posters must not exceed ‘excessive numbers’
• An approval process for any non-standard material 
• A threat of disciplinary action for non-compliance 

ANUSA argues that significant student protests in the past year surrounding the ANU’s ties to weapons manufacturers, as well as the recent ‘Renew ANU’ restructuring program (which is poised to cut hundreds of jobs), has influenced this decision to diminish student and staff protests.

The group stated that its primary position is that the policy should be abolished entirely, as “these measures undermine our ability to communicate freely and spontaneously. They damage the fabric of campus life and represent a significant overreach by ANU management.”

Clubs Officer Harrison Oates, stated that “The introduction of the Poster Policy… follows patterns of increased burdens being placed on clubs… These changes actively undermine the ability of club leadership to build community and offer the activities fundamental to the university experience.”

Regarding what actions the ANU should take, Oates said “The ANU needs to recognise that creating unnecessary hurdles for student life ultimately damages the entire university community.”

The campaign’s plan to combat the policy is listed:

• “Mobilise Campus Opposition: We aim to unite diverse campus stakeholders – clubs and societies, political groups, staff members, and ANUSA”
• “Direct Action & Creative Resistance: Organised postering campaigns, public demonstrations and finding creative ways to ensure information continues to circulate freely on campus.”
• “Demand ANU Tears Down the Poster Policy: We will petition and pressure ANU management to rescind this policy entirely.”

The group’s first public demonstrations are planned for 1pm, 7 May at Kambri Lawns. It is yet to be seen how the ANU will respond to the protest group.