News

Early this morning (Wednesday, October 2), community members reported the presence of numerous posters placed across campus to University’s Special Constable Service (SCS). Some of these posters contain imagery which is antisemitic, and they are being removed as quickly as possible.

Special Constables are investigating. If SCS are able to identify individuals who placed these posters they will face consequences in accordance with University policy. We have informed Waterloo Region Police Service and we will keep them informed of our progress.

Freedom of Expression action plan. In June, we updated the University community on the progress of the Freedom of Expression and Inclusive Engagement Task Force, which had concluded its work and issued a final report.The Task Force report outlined 24 general principles and 16 recommendations to help guide the University in its ongoing work to maintain a campus environment for open inquiry and exchange, free expression and inclusive engagement.We are pleased to share more details about the University’s next steps and plan for implementing the recommendations of the task force.

A message from Vivek Goel, President and Vice-Chancellor

September 3, 2024

Creating and upholding an environment of free expression and inquiry is central to our purpose as a university. The University of Waterloo’s mission – enshrined in the University of Waterloo Act – is to advance learning and knowledge through teaching, research, and scholarship, nationally and internationally, in an environment of free expression and inquiry.  

As an academic institution, this is the place to examine, discuss, debate, and communicate issues in a safe, inclusive environment where all are free to express themselves. In addition to classroom discussions, public lectures and other core university activities, the right to free expression includes peaceful assembly and protest.  
 

Yesterday, the encampment which formed on Grad House Green on May 13 was peacefully dismantled. Grad House Green is being restored to its usual condition so that the whole community can once again enjoy the space together. The University is now withdrawing its claim and injunction proceedings, ending the legal actions it filed on June 25. 

I’m grateful to everyone who worked so hard to ensure that the encampment came to a peaceful conclusion.  

The members of Occupy UWaterloo informed the University that they will be voluntarily decamping by Sunday, July 7, 2024 at 8 p.m. and will not return to form an encampment at the University. The University has agreed to withdraw its claim and injunction proceeding once the encampment is vacated.

As part of our commitment to transparency in our interactions with encampment members, I’m writing today to share an update on events of the week. 

I’m pleased to share that confidential discussions with members of the encampment, facilitated by a mediator, began on Friday, June 28 and are ongoing. We remain hopeful that an amicable and peaceful end to the protest encampment on the Grad House Green can be reached through these talks. 

In tandem, the legal case is moving forward with a short court appearance which occurred on Thursday, July 4. At this appearance, the judge approved the University’s legal counsel sharing documents related to the legal process on their website. This site is now live. The hearing date was also set at this appearance – it will occur on July 23, 2024.  

Since it emerged on May 13, the University has continually sought to seek an amicable and peaceful end to the protest encampment on the Grad House Green.

As part of our ongoing commitment to continue productive and respectful dialogue we are pleased that we have an agreement to start confidential discussions with members of the encampment facilitated by a mediator.

As the process is confidential the University will only provide further updates that are agreed upon between both parties.

At the end of last week the University of Waterloo issued a legal Trespass Notice to members of the protest encampment on the Grad House Green. The Trespass Notice required the encampment to leave immediately or face consequences in accordance with the Trespass to Property Act.

Unfortunately, the encampment remains in place in violation of Waterloo policies, and the law.

Today, lawyers representing the University served court documents to start a legal process to enforce the Trespass Notice and end the encampment.

The University is seeking an interlocutory injunction to end the encampment. Subject to the court’s approval, documents related to the legal process will be made available publicly through our legal counsel’s website.