Universities should be places where safety, respect, and integrity are cherished and upheld above all. Unfortunately, procedural fairness was not followed at the Australian National University (ANU), where Richard Emory McGary was paid to carry on studying, and tutoring, for several years, even after allegations of rape had been made by fellow students. He was allowed to complete his studies and was awarded a PhD by the ANU, while the survivors never returned following the incidents.

The celebration of a sexual offender by the ANU compromises the university's reputation and undermines its commitment to providing a safe environment for students and faculty alike.

Academic qualifications, particularly a PhD from a prestigious institution like the ANU, carry significant weight and prestige. It is imperative that these qualifications represent excellence, moral integrity, and the highest ethical standards. Allowing an individual who has violated the law and committed heinous acts to retain such a degree sends a disconcerting message that undermines these values.

McGary's actions constitute a breach of the ANU Student Code of Conduct, and if this most serious of breaches goes unpunished, then what is the point of having a code of conduct at all? And what message does this send to current and future students?

We urge the ANU to take immediate and decisive action by revoking Richard Emory McGary's PhD. This action will demonstrate ANU's commitment to maintaining a rigorous ethical standard and ensuring that their alumni reflect the integrity and respect expected by society.

Please sign this petition to stand with us in sending a clear message that sexual violence has no place in our academic communities and that our institutions should reflect the highest ethical standards. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that our universities are safe places for everyone.