ANU proudly supports National Reconciliation Week (27 May to 3 June 2025). This year, the theme is ‘Bridging Now to Next’, and reflects the ongoing connection between past, present and future. We will be holding events and promoting our research and education stories, which will be featured in OnCampus next week.

One of our featured events, Yum & Yarn – free BBQ at Chifley Meadows will be held on Wednesday 28 May. The event is hosted by the ANU Tjabal Centre. See more details below.

Following the recent announcement of the Student Disciplinary Framework Review, the Board has commenced consultations with key community members. Consultations have already taken place with staff groups, the ANUSA Executive, and ANUSA department heads. In the coming weeks, the Board will also engage with Residential student leaders, the Interhall Council, and other student representative bodies. 

All students are encouraged to share their perspectives via the online feedback form. Your voice matters in shaping a fair and supportive disciplinary process. 

Learn more: Student Disciplinary Framework Review 

Image: The Australian National University, Acton Campus, Canberra. Photo: Nic Vevers/ANU.

I have been thinking a lot about cadences recently, and about time. I did foolishly ask Google’s AI tool how many working days until the end of the year, and that was sobering – a little bit of eek, and a bit of wow how did we get here already…

Of course, there are more sensible ways to think about the passage of time at the University. For instance, it is the final week of teaching for Semester 1, which feels and is a milestone for so many of us. Yes, it happens every year, and for many of us, it helps structure our days and weeks. It is also a huge accomplishment for our students and our staff and our thanks goes to both. For our staff for committing to that intellectual journey and for all the work that goes into each semester both visibly and invisibly, we should offer our enthusiastic THANKS!!! ! Of course, there is still more to do, before the semester is finally and officially over – including completing the Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) survey so we can better understand the experience of our classrooms, and call out our excellent teachers. Details were shared yesterday via email with students and staff directly, or you can visit the SELT website. And finally, for our students, GOOD LUCK with your final assessments. 

Read more: VC’s Update: End of semester and Council news

Most of you will be aware that on Friday 16 May the ANU experienced a widespread IT outage that impacted WiFi services and key systems and software applications across most of the day. I wanted to take this opportunity to provide some clarity on what occurred and to also recognise the efforts of everyone involved who ensured the continued operation of the University.

Such an event understandably creates concern within our community and I can confirm for you that the outage was caused by an IT infrastructure failure. Whilst the full engineering report is still being finalised, ITS and ISO staff continue working to ensure our systems are reliable and resilient. I would like to sincerely thank them for their dedication and tireless round-the-clock efforts in diagnosing this issue and restoring services. Their skilled response was instrumental in minimising the disruption.

Read more: Message from the COO: IT outage update 

ANU is modernising its student systems. From 24 May 2025, the Interactive Student Information System (ISIS) will be known as ANUHub, with a refreshed interface, improved functionality and enhanced security.  

“ANUHub is part of a broader effort to make our systems clearer, safer and easier to use for students and staff,” says Bree Slater, Interim University Registrar.  

A scheduled outage will occur from 12pm on Friday 23 May to 8am on Monday 26 May.  

During this time, the Student Administration System, the student self-service portal (ISIS/ANUHub), MyTimetable, Syllabus Plus, Accept ANU, eForms, Extenuating Circumstances Application (ECA) and Assessment Extension Applications will be unavailable. 
 
Find out more here. 

Following the close of nominations, the following students have been elected as editors to the Board of Woroni:  

As the positions have all been elected uncontested, it will not be necessary to hold elections this week. Congratulations to the new editors. 

The 2024 ANU Environmental Sustainability Report has been released today. This year’s report highlights our progress across campus operations, research and teaching.  

Key achievements include: 

The report reflects the combined efforts of staff, students and our partners working toward a more sustainable ANU. 

Learn more: Explore the newly published report on the ANU Environmental Sustainability website. 

Passionate about inclusive education? Apply for a student sponsorship to attend the 2025 Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Symposium, held on 25–26 June at the University of Sydney (in-person or online). Whether you're a student with disability, studying education, or have an interest in UDL and inclusive teaching, this is a great opportunity to network with experts, share your voice and boost your resume. Ten sponsored spots are available — five in-person (Sydney-based) and five online. Applications close on Friday 30 May. 

Learn more: 2025 Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Symposium

Image: Woman with pregnancy test. Photo: PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/shutterstock.com

Australia’s birth rate is at a record low — and it’s not because people don’t want kids. In fact, most Australians report wanting more children than they’re able to have. So what’s stopping them? 

Dr Liz Allen, demographer at ANU Centre for Social Policy Research, says the decline in fertility is less about changing values and more about rising barriers: housing insecurity, job instability, childcare shortages, and the overwhelming cost of living. 

Read more: Australia’s fertility rate is almost irreversible, but recovery begins with hope 

Image: Alumni panel at 2025 networking event. Photo: ANU 

Last week, current Tuckwell Scholars came together for the annual Tuckwell Network Event featuring a lively panel discussion with four inspiring Tuckwell Alumni: Matt Barton (2014), Georgia Leak (2016), Jocelyn Abbott (2018), and Tom Dunbabin (2018), with 2023 Scholar Luke McNamara skilfully chairing the discussion. 

The evening provided a valuable space for Scholars and Alumni to build connections, share experiences and explore collaborative opportunities. With reflections from Scholars Niamh Zillfleisch (2025) and Rory MacLennan (2024), the event celebrated the power of community, curiosity and career insights.

Learn more: Building Tuckwell Connections: The 2025 Network Event 

Monday 26 - Tuesday 27 May, 10am-4pm

Feeling overwhelmed with exams around the corner? Recharge 2025 is here to help! Join us on 26–27 May in Marie Reay and Community Connect for two days of yoga sessions, a calming sound bath experience, spin-the-wheel-trivia with prizes, craft sessions and study zones. 

Recharge your mind, body, and spirit before exam season starts. 

For more information and to register for activities, visit the Student Life Events & Stories page.

Tuesday 27 May, 12.30-2pm 

Join a panel of leading experts as they unpack one of Southeast Asia’s most dramatic political clashes—how the unraveling of the Marcos-Duterte alliance shaped the 2025 Philippine midterm elections. 

From impeachment trials and ICC indictments to shifting regional loyalties and the viral power of disinformation, this webinar explores the high-stakes power struggle rocking Philippine politics today. 

Register now: May 2025 Philippine midterms: Electoral dynamics amidst Marcos-Duterte rivalry 

Tuesday 27 May, 6-7pm 

Strongmen are rising. Democracies are faltering. How does tyranny end? Tyrants project invincibility, but all of them fall. Meeting with coup leaders, dissidents and soldiers, political scientist Dr Marcel Dirsus draws on extraordinary interviews to examine the workings and malfunctions of tyrants. 

Marcel will be in conversation with Allan Behm from the Australia Institute on his book How Tyrants Fall: And How Nations Survive. 

Register now: Meet the author, Marcel Dirsus

Wednesday 28 May, 12.30-1pm 

As part of National Reconciliation Week (NRW) 2025, join the ANU Tjabal Centre for a free BBQ at Chifley Meadows. Open to all staff and students, this event is a chance to connect, share stories and build community across campus. 

This year’s NRW theme, Bridging Now to Next, calls on all Australians to reflect on our shared history and contribute to a reconciled future. 

Register now: Yum & Yarn

Wednesday 4 June, 6-7pm

Join internationally renowned epidemiologist Professor Raina MacIntyre as she discusses her powerful new book Vaccine Nation with infectious diseases expert Dr Sanjaya Senanayake. Explore the science behind vaccines, the rise of misinformation, and why restoring public trust in vaccination is more urgent than ever. 

Books will be available for signing from 5pm.  

Register now: Meet the author: Raina MacIntyre

World Schizophrenia Day is dedicated to raising awareness of the mental illness that affects over 20 million people worldwide. Schizophrenia is highly stigmatized and often lacks accurate representation in the media. World Schizophrenia Awareness Day was created to fight against this stigma and to make it easier for people to seek resources and get help. It lifts the lid on the challenges that thousands of people with Schizophrenia — from all over the world — have to contend with every day of their lives.

Learn more: World Schizophrenia Day 

As a part of National Volunteering Week, Student Life are organising a raffle with a prize giveaway – all you have to do is, follow @StudentLifeANU on Instagram and like this post. Then drop them a direct message sharing a volunteering experience that impacted you and explain why. 
 
Entries close midnight on 22 May with the winner announced on 23 May. 

Did you know that since early February, thanks to our new smart printing system, PaperCut, we have saved up to 140,000 sheets of paper? 

PaperCut automatically deletes uncollected print jobs after 16 hours, unlike our old system which printed everything, even if nobody picked up the jobs. This functionality alone has resulted in cost savings of up to $30,000 in toner, ink and paper in just the last three months! 

To support more efficient printing, Information Technology Services (ITS) is also relocating underutilised printers to areas with higher need. 

We encourage everyone to think carefully before printing, as small changes can make a big difference in reducing our environmental footprint. For more information, visit Print, copy, scan. 

Help is available if you need it. If you are dealing with a personal or university-related issue, ANU encourages you to seek support through the Student Safety and Wellbeing team by emailing student.wellbeing@anu.edu.au or calling 02 6125 2211, Monday to Friday, 9am-4pm.

You can also visit our Urgent Support page for a list of 24/7 and crisis support options.