St Paul’s College expelled and suspended several students after ‘serious humiliation’ incident

Six students have been expelled and a further 21 suspended following an incident involving “serious humiliation of another student” at Sydney University’s St Paul’s College last week.

St Paul’s head teacher Ed Loan said the boarding college was “shocked and deeply disappointed” after a group of male students were subjected to “serious humiliation” by another male student in their friendship group.

St Paul’s College is an Anglican residential college located at the University of Sydney, Camperdown, and was the first of its kind to be established in Australia when it was founded in 1856.

“We are providing support and care to the victim of this incident.”

Dr. Loan, a former resident of the college, became head of St. Paul’s in January 2020.

He said the college would review mandatory anti-bullying and harassment training for students in response to the incident.

“…we will continue to do everything we can to provide a safe and respectful community,” he said.

The college has approximately 300 undergraduate students and 100 graduate students and faculty.

History of the scandal

The incident follows an investigation into the college’s culture in 2018 after a string of incidents.

A review by former sex discrimination commissioner Elizabeth Broderick found the college had a culture of excessive drinking, disturbing rituals, sexual harassment and assault.

The report said incidents of extreme hazing included students eating sheep hearts and cutthroats mixed with raw eggs and granola.

At the time, the college apologized unreservedly and said it was taking into account all the recommendations made in the report.

A spokesman for the University of Sydney said that while its affiliated boarding colleges were independent, it was “deeply disappointed” by the behavior and would monitor the college’s response.

“We are also closely monitoring what additional steps the college is taking to address this issue and ensure the safety and well-being of students.”

The 167-year-old institution was one of four men’s university colleges until it became fully coeducational in 2023.