By Crikey reporter Lucy Morieson

Macquarie University’s banned law lecturer Andrew Fraser vowed to turn up to classes
today, despite his suspension for speaking out on issues of race.
Fraser, associate professor in public law, said he would still
appear at his scheduled lectures with the hope of discussing the
controversy with his students. “I don’t see why students should be the
meat in the sandwich in
this,” he told The Australian.

Professor Fraser raised the ire of university management by using his
university title when speaking outside his area of expertise, which
according to Vice-Chancellor Di Yerbury is a breach of university
rules. Fraser backs the idea that Africans are a high crime risk
because of low IQs, a notion that, while controversial, is supported by some academic
research.

A spokesman for the university had little to say on the matter this
morning – only confirming that Fraser intended to proceed with his
lectures, despite news they’d been cancelled. And while Fraser claims
the university is stifling his right to free speech, the National
Tertiary Education Union of NSW says he has breached its statement of
ethics by racially vilifying members of the community – and he should
accept the university’s ban. Fraser turned down an offer by the
university to buy out his contract,
and plans to see out his position to the end of June 2006.