This was not an IT security breach, but legitimate way of reaching many recipients since all staff email addresses are listed on the University’s website.
Our freedom of speech provides space for large numbers of different opinions to be expressed and disseminated. The University cannot prevent or filter out such statements.
Some staff members have noticed that this incoming email disappeared and then reappeared. This is because many of the emails that were received were diverted to quarantine automatically, as the system perceived this large volume of emails as spam. As soon as IT discovered this, the diversion was halted, and work is now being carried out to restore the email to recipients. This work is being done manually and therefore will take time.
Lund University welcomes an open exchange of views in society. The University stands for dialogue not conflict, and for showing respect for the opinions of others.
Since October 2023, University Management has been contacted by various groups expressing opinions about how Lund University should act in response to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. All emails have been dealt with and replies have been issued in accordance with the requirements placed on a public authority.
Here is a summary of frequently asked questions that have been sent to Lund University in connection with the conflict between Israel and Hamas, as well as relevant answers:
FAQs regarding the war between Israel and Hamas
Planning for a meeting between the demonstrators in Lundagård and University Management started as the tents were being erected. The meeting was held with two representatives from University Management and three representatives of the demonstrators on 23 May.
The University Management’s perception was that it was difficult to establish a constructive dialogue during the meeting. The students issued an ultimatum demanding that the University Management sign a petition that they had formulated. After the meeting was extended by 20 minutes, University Management brought it to a close. The University Management asked to provide their response at a later date. The students did not want to leave the room without having received an exact time for when the University Management would respond and a new meeting booked. Since it is not a public place, police escorted the students from the building.
- Read the statement from the Association of Swedish Higher Education Institutions (in Swedish)
- Read the Vice-Chancellor’s blog from 14 May, in which Erik Renström responds to the camp: The tent camp in Lundagård