Opponents to the Ramsay Centre Western Civilisation degree presented a 3000-strong petition to University of Wollongong Council Members on Friday.
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Among the protesters was 2017 University Medal recipient Lou Glover.
But today the indigenous PhD student is seriously considering leaving the university.
"My work is concerned with trying to undo the negative effects of western civilisation by restoring indigenous law and knowledge. But now UOW is going totally against that with the Ramsay Centre move.
"I seriously have to consider whether I can stay with the university."
Academic staff, students and alumni were on hand to present the petition, which called on UOW vice-chancellor Paul Wellings to reject the "controversial secret deal".
In a letter presented to management and council members, Georgine Clarsen, the National Tertiary Education Union branch president at UOW, stated "the by-passing of both University Council and Academic Senate has raised serious questions about our university governance processes".
Signatories to the petition declared that : "Decisions about new university courses and departments should be made through transparent, robust, scholarly processes.
"The deal made in secret by UOW management and the Ramsay Centre for Western Civilisation falls well short of this measure and harms the university's reputation and integrity.
"We call on you, Professor Wellings, to tear up the secret deal with the Ramsay Centre."