Assurances academic autonomy and integrity would be paramount in negotiations between the University of Sydney and the Ramsay Centre for Western Civilisation have not ended outrage on campus. Last week VC Michael Spence told the university branch of the National Tertiary Education Union he, “would never consider compromising on the principles of academic freedom and integrity that constitute the very foundation of this university,” CMM Friday).

But it wasn’t enough for the union, which also opposes the Ramsay Centre’s proposed courses, “as a triumphalist and selective vision of European and Anglo-American history and culture.”

The union wants the university to abandon discussions with Ramsay, plus a new policy on accepting funding, which has NTEU input and is approved by its campus members.