We, the undersigned members and supporters of the Robb College community, call for immediate action to address the unjust exclusion of student leaders, restore procedural fairness, and implement systemic changes at the University of New England.

We are writing this letter out of concern for the reputational damage of the students and the institution of Robb College by actions taken by the University of New England (UNE), Armidale. UNE has taken punitive and drastic action in enacting the immediate emergency exclusion of a significant number of student leaders during Orientation week in late February 2025.

Every excluded student was between their late teens to early twenties, a critical time in their development as young adults. The overwhelming majority being young women—only one was not—points to a troubling pattern that suggests female students were specifically targeted.

The exclusions were immediately enacted without providing any explanation of the allegations made against them, and without any opportunity to respond to them. The excluded students have been reportedly:

Staying in motel rooms around Armidale
Couch surfing with friends
In one case, referred to the Armidale Youth Refuge (accommodation for homeless young people)

As a result of these allegations, students have lost their government assistance, are experiencing financial hardship, all while they are attempting to continue to engage in their studies in a climate of fear and uncertainty.

The University of New England appears in no hurry to conclude their "investigation", it continues to this day. Their actions of re-advertising the leadership positions, appointing new leaders and the possible reassignment of their accommodation would suggest the University has already made its mind up.

These actions, along with a callous indifference to the psychosocial welfare of the students affected by this process – both the excluded accused and the current residents of Robb and other University Colleges - raises many serious questions around procedural fairness, institutional harm caused and the University's Duty of Care to its students.

Why did UNE release statements in the local papers before any proper investigation and consideration of the matter was made? Gossip in the local community and across the region is extensive. False rumours, misconstrued information and inaccurate stories have emerged because of the staggering allegations made by UNE administrators which, according to them, required the immediate emergency exclusion of students who were claimed to be a 'threat' to other students.

This has and continues to cause harm to the excluded Robb Students, the College and the University. All this despite the insistence by the University that this matter be kept 'strictly confidential'. Why has the University not rebutted these falsities? The University's approach demonstrates a disturbing willingness to sacrifice students' psychological safety and emotional stability, exposing them to significant trauma with apparent indifference to the lasting damage being caused.

There appear to be serious questions around the veracity of allegations made and the way the University and its leadership has acted. The University's failure to provide any reasonable explanation for its drastic action, coupled with its apparent disregard for those affected, has profoundly impacted Robb College and created irreversible damage.

We are deeply concerned by the apparent lack of procedural fairness afforded to the excluded students. The absence of transparency and due process in this matter is not only disappointing but undermines the values of equity and justice that should be at the core of any academic institution.

This issue extends far beyond those directly affected. The decisions already made have disrupted the lives of students who remain at Robb College and fractured the broader Robb community. Long-standing friendships, social connections, and the sense of belonging that define college life have been seriously damaged.

The students of Robb College deserve a just, fair and independent hearing in a timely manner, not this one-sided and disconnected investigation presently being orchestrated by UNE.

Call to Action #1

We insist on an immediate independent review of the Head of College’ assessment.

Call of Action #2

We insist on the full reinstatement of student leaders to their previous positions and accommodation pending the outcome of a fair and transparent process.

Call to Action #3

We call for a complete review of the Residential College Code of Conduct and Student Behavioural Misconduct Policy, conducted through an inclusive process involving students, parents, and independent experts who are not affiliated with the UNE executive or residential system, to ensure fair, contemporary, transparent, and student-centred governance practices that protect against future institutional abuses of power.

Call to Action #4

We urge UNE to commission an independent review of its student disciplinary processes and emergency exclusion procedures to ensure they uphold principles of natural justice, proportionate response, and the university's duty of care obligations, with findings and recommendations to be made public to restore trust in the institution.

Call to action #5 

Retraining and recalibration of university/college supervisors and student leaders to clarify and reaffirm expectations and conduct.

Call to Action #6

The implementation of a standard operating procedure in relation to agreed supervision, monitoring and feedback mechanisms for the daily and operational conduct of the College calendar and events, with a specific focus on activities conducted during Orientation Week. 

By adding your name to this online petition, you join members of the Robb College community standing in solidarity with the unfairly excluded students and demanding that UNE restore justice, transparency, and proper care for all students at Robb College. Help us reach our goal of 1,500 signatures. Together, our voices cannot be ignored.