University statement on derogatory Facebook comments

Update (15/4/2016): the University understands that the page in question has been removed.

There have been several news reports in the past 24 hours about a petition calling on Facebook to close down the 'Hotties of Melbourne Uni' page.

The University of Melbourne has previously reported the page to Facebook to ask that it be taken down, and likewise expressed its concern about the page's content to the page admins. The University will be following up again with Facebook today to repeat our previous request.

The University is strongly committed to ensuring a safe, inclusive, connected and respectful University community. Part of this can be demonstrated in our recent Respect Week activities, held as part of the 'Respect.Now.Always’ campaign, an initiative of the Australian university sector.

Through such initiatives, and the University’s dedicated Safer Community program, the University will continue to actively support and promote a learning and teaching environment that embraces diversity, and is free from behaviours that are at odds with our vision for a safe, tolerant, respectful and inclusive community. This has previously included a campaign to promote positive and safe social media practices.

The University encourages students who have complaints or issues with the behaviour of their campus peers to raise these through the Complaints and Grievances process.