Police were called to the Australian National University to arrest 27 students occupying a room housing the university's PABX switchboard, reported The Canberra Times on this day, 46 years ago.
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The students were protesting what they said was an effective reversal by the Board of the School of General Studies when it came to educational reform.
The board had met to discuss a report prepared by a joint committee of 10 students and 10 staff members on proposals relating to increased student participation in course design, greater freedom of choice, reduced class sizes and the introduction of a women's study course.
The meeting took a turn for the worse when students condemned the board for allegedly rescinding their earlier intention to undertake the reforms.
An acting head of department ended up in the fountain pond and a student was punched in the face.
Subsequently, about 20 ACT police officers arrived, and the students were arrested for refusing to leave Commonwealth property.
