UTAS Blog: Five months in and we are still shocked... and ashamed
This from the ABC 7:30 Report. This report was about discrimination of disabled students. This is an absolute disgrace, UTAS really does suck!
BH complained that Lecture notes etc weren't really helpful when you're blind... UTAS hits (a blind person) back.
JUDY TIERNEY: When BH first went to the Launceston campus, he knew getting around the sprawling grounds would be awkward. Coping with leg braces, orthopaedic boots and crutches and carrying a backpack, made him sweat.
BH: Although I pride myself on being able to manage, I can't get away from the fact that having to do it everyday, it's quite exhausting and it really does take it out of someone.
JUDY TIERNEY: Acting on a complaint, the disability office had told BH his body odour made him a very unpleasant person to be near.
BH: I couldn't reply at the time. I was quite shell-shocked and um, it upset me quite badly. I just didn't know who my friends were. I just felt, I thought, well, you know, 'I just can't continue with this'. And it just put me off my studies.
(http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2002/s460046.htm)
The UTAS response to this report was
"The university is aware of the complaints and, through its solicitors, has warned the 7:30 Report the publication of those allegations could amount to defamation. The university has appointed a barrister to carry out an independent investigation into the claims made in the statutory declarations.
The university has also written to each student making a complaint warning them of potential defamation."
The University of Tasmania has so much to hide... we think UTAS sucks
BH complained that Lecture notes etc weren't really helpful when you're blind... UTAS hits (a blind person) back.
JUDY TIERNEY: When BH first went to the Launceston campus, he knew getting around the sprawling grounds would be awkward. Coping with leg braces, orthopaedic boots and crutches and carrying a backpack, made him sweat.
BH: Although I pride myself on being able to manage, I can't get away from the fact that having to do it everyday, it's quite exhausting and it really does take it out of someone.
JUDY TIERNEY: Acting on a complaint, the disability office had told BH his body odour made him a very unpleasant person to be near.
BH: I couldn't reply at the time. I was quite shell-shocked and um, it upset me quite badly. I just didn't know who my friends were. I just felt, I thought, well, you know, 'I just can't continue with this'. And it just put me off my studies.
(http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2002/s460046.htm)
The UTAS response to this report was
"The university is aware of the complaints and, through its solicitors, has warned the 7:30 Report the publication of those allegations could amount to defamation. The university has appointed a barrister to carry out an independent investigation into the claims made in the statutory declarations.
The university has also written to each student making a complaint warning them of potential defamation."
The University of Tasmania has so much to hide... we think UTAS sucks
That is f*cking outrageous.
But my HOD asked me to talk to my supervisor to get him to take a shower.
So to be fair, it does seem that UTAS has a problem with personal BO.
Except that if I had braces, ortho boots and the rest I'ld be justified in working up a sweat.
Reply to this
Hey, what's the problem?
According to the "Bioscour" ads on EDGE radio it only takes "10 minutes and most health-funds offer a rebate" for you to be able to "dance, play, enjoy yourself" without having to suffer from unsightly sweat marks!
Come on you disabled students, you're letting the UTAS side down!
Reply to this
I am a new student at UTAS and read your blog in order to get a clearer picture than the glossy brochures.
However, the incident and the 7.30 Report was broadcast on the 16/01/2002.
This makes this story more than 7 years old. Clearly you have an agenda that goes beyond reporting truth statements.
Your credibility has just left the building!
I wonder if you will allow others to read this comment? Probably not! So much for free speech!
Reply to this
Hi Anon,
Yes, we know that report is from 2002. It doesn't make it any less relevant.
We know a PhD student (award winning, 1st class Hons etc) who had 2 years of complaints procedures then another 4 years dealing with lawyers. So 6 years after their original complaint it's still not sorted. So 2002 really isn't that long ago, is it?
(Actually, we only found out about it yesterday when a frustrated ex-third year student sent it to us)
Reply to this
You'll fit in well at UTAS. [edited].
Reply to this