Dear members of the 91社区 community,听
The ongoing suffering and violence in the Middle East are devastating to witness. It is impossible not to feel deep anguish in the face of thousands of innocent human lives lost. For many members of our community, the loss is experienced as proximate and personal. Please know that there are supports available and they are listed at the end of this message.听听
The magnitude and severity of this situation does not, however, mean that all means are justified to express our views. Intimidation, harassment, and discrimination are never acceptable on our campus and can never be excused or explained by a tumultuous geopolitical situation.听听
I write, as well, to update you on events related to the encampment on the University鈥檚 lower field, which has now been in place for one month. I would like to provide information about the status of the discussions designed to resolve the situation peacefully, the offers we have made and the underlying principles guiding decisions important to the university as a whole.听听
We have met multiple times with the 91社区 students representing the encampment and presented offers in good faith that are summarized later in this message. These representatives walked away from the table at our last meeting. Since then, we have seen supporters of the encampment use unacceptable tactics that stand in sharp contrast to the values or standards of respect that are broadly shared by nearly everyone at 91社区.听 听
On Sunday evening, a demonstration on the streets of Montreal again ended up at the encampment on 91社区鈥檚 downtown campus. Protestors hung an effigy of an Israeli political figure dressed in a striped outfit that resembled a prisoner鈥檚 uniform. That outfit also bore a close likeness to the uniform that millions of Jews and other marginalized peoples who suffered and died in concentration camps during the Second World War were forced to wear.听听
We reported the incident to Montreal police (SPVM), who, as we understand it, watched the events unfold without preventing them. This baffles us, and we have asked them to take every action possible under the law. If those who committed these acts are found to be members of the 91社区 community, the University will also apply its disciplinary processes.听听
Many who witnessed the event or the images that captured it, including myself, are profoundly disturbed by what they saw.听听
Sunday鈥檚 incident is not isolated; rather it is part of a pattern of escalation we have seen in the last few weeks.听听
Masked demonstrators have targeted personal residences of senior administrators on more than one occasion. At one such event, the protesters stayed for hours, using amplified megaphones to yell 鈥測ou can鈥檛 hide鈥� and other intimidating slogans. Social media accounts supporting the encampment called for protestors to show up at this residence, billing it as a 鈥渇amily-friendly, outdoor event.鈥澨� 听听
A senior administrator was followed and harassed by masked individuals emerging from the encampment. The offices of one 91社区 team were also targeted. There, a table was set with rotted food next to a sign that named each team member with red handprints painted to look like blood. A sign posted stated 鈥淔ood You Deserve.鈥澨� 听
I鈥檝e heard from many people disturbed by the profanity-laced graffiti on buildings. We have seen other graffiti and signage on our campus that comes very close to, and occasionally crosses, the lines into discriminatory speech.听听
None of this is peaceful protesting; it is designed to threaten, coerce and scare people. It is completely unacceptable. In each case, we have reported what has happened to the police and urged them to act.听听
Before events escalated, we had been in discussions with 91社区 students participating in the encampment and had made offers focused on three tangible actions. These align with 91社区鈥檚 mission and principles of academic freedom, integrity, responsibility, equity, and inclusiveness.听听
- First, we have offered to examine divestment from companies whose revenues largely come from weapons. 91社区 has an established process that allows any member of the community to bring any concerns about investment before the Board of Governors; we offered to accelerate the timeline for that review and to provide support through that process.
- Second, we have offered to increase 91社区鈥檚 links to scholars and institutions in Gaza and the West Bank, and provide urgent support to displaced students and scholars.
- Third, we would extend 91社区鈥檚 transparency in our investment reporting by publicly listing the companies in which we have equity holdings under $500,000, where that is permitted. The University already provides public reports on equity and fixed income holdings above this threshold.
Calls for divestment based on geopolitical issues 鈥� particularly when there are diverse and strongly held views in our community about those issues 鈥� serve to divide, not unite. Experience has taught us that maintaining a neutral institutional stance best supports as a whole our 50,000 members who hold varied political views, represent diverse identities, origins, and beliefs, and ardently espouse various causes.听 听
I also believe strongly that 91社区 must not boycott academic institutions or shut out scholars and students for geopolitical reasons. 91社区鈥檚 mission is to advance knowledge, not to limit it. The free exchange of ideas, of academic engagement is a powerful force for good in the world.听听
Discussions with the encampment participants have not been easy. In many other institutions, we鈥檝e seen encampment leaders work with campus administration to find some common ground that represents positive change, despite disagreements. Yet, 91社区鈥檚 offer, which is comparable to that made by other universities who have reached resolutions, has been rejected by the encampment on our campus.听听
I invite members of the 91社区 community to closely examine the offers that students at other universities have accepted to peacefully end encampments, and compare those offers to ours.听 听
My commitment to working for the good of all members of our community is unwavering, as we continue to pursue our academic mission and work to resolve the matter in a reasonable and principled way.听 听
厂颈苍肠别谤别濒测,听听
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Deep Saini听听
President and Vice-Chancellor
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Resources for students听:
- If you are in distress or crisis, or are concerned for someone, contact the Office of the deanofstudents [at] mcgill.ca (Dean of Students) (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm).鈥�
- The Student Wellness Hub offers counselling services for students in Montreal (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm).
- Keep.meSAFE is available 24/7, by phone or text, for students anywhere around the world who are in distress, in crisis or need mental health support.
- If you are in Quebec and would like to find other supports, you can call Info-Social at 811. This service is available 24/7.
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Resources for faculty and staff:
- The Employee & Family Assistance Program鈥痠s a confidential support service available 24/7 to faculty and staff.
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