Student Faces Misconduct Action Over Video on RMIT’s Defence Centre
An RMIT University student is facing possible suspension after sharing a video accusing the university of being “complicit in genocide” due to its defence and aerospace research centre’s connections with weapons manufacturers.
RMIT has contended that the video, filmed in a corridor of the centre, reveals the location of the facility, which is not publicly available online, thereby posing potential safety risks to the centre, its staff, and students.
The student, Gemma Seymour, is scheduled to attend a student conduct hearing on 22 April concerning allegations of misconduct.
Details of the Video and Allegations
The video was posted in August on the Instagram account of RMIT Students for Palestine. In it, Seymour stands outside the Sir Lawrence Wackett Defence and Aero Centre at RMIT’s city campus.
“No more excuses RMIT. There is blood on your hands and we will not rest until you cut ties with all weapons companies,”
Seymour states in the video.
The video’s caption reads:
“The Sir Lawrence Wackett Defence and Aerospace centre should be shut down. Our university should not be complicit in genocide.”
University’s Concerns and Conduct Report
According to a student conduct report sent to Seymour and reviewed by Australia, RMIT expressed concerns that publicly sharing the location of its research facilities on social media could jeopardise the safety and security of staff.
The report also highlighted risks of unwanted attention, harassment, or threats directed at RMIT’s research facilities, staff, and students.
“While the Student’s right to engage in world affairs is not in question, the University holds significant concern regarding the way in which the Student has done so, as we believe this may compromise safety, security, and teaching and learning activities,”
the report stated.
It further noted that the social media post could undermine the integrity and security of sensitive research areas, increase stress and anxiety among students, and elevate the risk of unauthorised access.
The video’s cover image, which has since been deleted, showed Seymour making a middle finger gesture towards the centre’s signage. RMIT described this gesture as a
“universal symbol indicating disrespect”and stated it was reasonable for viewers to find it offensive.
RMIT received an anonymous external report about the video, according to the conduct report.
The report concluded that Seymour may have violated university regulations, policies, procedures, and rules through behaviour constituting misconduct.
Student’s Response and Views
Seymour, a fine arts student, responded by stating that the centre’s location is signposted within the university, which is a public institution.
“The last I checked you didn’t need to check if a sign was actually a secret sign before you pointed someone in a direction somewhere,”
she said.
She accused RMIT of attempting to suppress discussion regarding the university’s research and its partnerships with weapons manufacturers.
“I think it’s a problem that RMIT would take more issue with a student standing under a sign, talking about the weapons companies it partners with, rather than the fact that the weapons companies it partners with are essential in facilitating war and genocide,”
Seymour said.
She also warned of the broader implications of a suspension.
“If the suspension gets through … it would have a chilling effect on the capacity for staff and students to criticise the university and engage in political activism, which is, … a basic part of freedom of speech,”
she added.
About the Sir Lawrence Wackett Defence and Aero Centre
The Sir Lawrence Wackett Defence and Aero Centre is an interdisciplinary research group focusing on Australia’s defence and aerospace sectors.
The centre lists the Australian Defence Forces, the US Department of Defence, and Boeing among its partners and collaborators. Amnesty International has reported that weapons produced by Boeing were used in Israeli airstrikes that resulted in civilian casualties, including children.
Context of Protests and University Responses
In 2024, a series of protests swept across Australian universities, demanding that institutions sever ties with weapons manufacturers and condemn Israel’s military actions in Gaza. An independent United Nations commission of inquiry was established last year to investigate the conflict.
The conflict escalated following Hamas’ attack, in which militants infiltrated Israeli territory, prompting Israel’s military invasion of Gaza. More than 75,000 Palestinians have been affected.
University Statement and Conduct Policies
An RMIT spokesperson declined to comment specifically on the case.
They stated that all students are subject to behavioural expectations and conduct requirements.
“Our policies provide the basis for addressing actions or behaviour that adversely impact other members of our community,”
the spokesperson said.
“Behaviours that breach our policies will not be tolerated and may result in disciplinary action being taken.”
According to RMIT’s student conduct regulations, penalties for misconduct findings can include suspension of enrolment for up to one semester.
