On Friday, June 30, Nenone Donaldson, VP Advancement sent an email to alumni regarding the June 28 attack at Hagey Hall. A copy of that message is below.
Dear alumni,
It is with sadness that I am reaching out to you today about an attack targeting our people on the basis of a hateful view of gender expression and identity on our main campus.
On Wednesday, June 28, a former University of Waterloo student stabbed a professor in the Department of Philosophy and two students in Hagey Hall during a second-year lecture for Philosophy 202 – Gender Studies. The suspect was quickly arrested by the police and all three victims received treatment for non-life-threatening injuries. Police have assured us there is no further threat to the safety of our campus community.
We are deeply concerned by this horrific act of violence. The University of Waterloo stands united against all forms of violence, hatred and bigotry, and we are committed to fostering an inclusive, safe, and welcoming environment for everyone. As President Goel said yesterday, we will not let this deter us from proclaiming loudly, our values of inclusion and openness.
Wednesday’s attack has understandably shaken our community. We will continue to prioritize the well-being of our students, faculty, and staff. Our campus is safe, but our world is never without risk and that’s why it's more important than ever that we keep pushing for change, and fostering an environment where we all feel a sense of belonging.
I recognize that this violence may impact you as a member of our University community. Support is available:
- Here 24/7 - 1-844-437-3247 (available for immediate support)
- Grand River Hospital - 519-749-4300
- St. Mary's Hospital - 519-744-3311
- Good2Talk - 1-866-925-5454
- Talk Suicide Canada – 1-833-456-4566 or by text 45645
- Empower Me Toll-free 24/7: 1-833-628-5589
I want to thank our alumni community for the care and concern you have expressed for our students, faculty, and staff. Our collective strength as a unified UWaterloo community is our greatest asset. As a community we need to denounce any form of hate, discrimination, or violence and work to ensure everyone can thrive and feel safe.
Nenone
Donaldson
Vice-President,
Advancement
University
of
Waterloo