More than a week ago, we let you know that members of our University and the wider community had come together to form an encampment to protest issues related to the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza. We updated you on our approach to the encampment on Friday, May 17. We remain committed to communicating with the University community transparently as we engage in work on the issues the protestors are raising and as we seek an end to their encampment.
We continue to reiterate our commitment to supporting the right to speak and assemble freely on our campuses. This right requires everyone at Waterloo to act responsibly, to reject intolerance and to remain open to dialogue at all times.
While we remain focused on protecting the rights of everyone on campus, we are clear that the right to free speech is not absolute. The University has a duty to uphold the rights of everyone and a duty uphold its own policies, and the law.
With this in mind, on Monday, May 20, 2024 the University informed members of the encampment in writing that the presence of the encampment located on Grad House Green is in violation of several items listed on our list of prohibited activities (published online and on signs posted around the campus on Tuesday, May 14, 2024) and in violation of various University of Waterloo policies. We have published our notice of these violations online and around the encampment.
The University has been clear that the encampment cannot remain indefinitely. We have informed the members of the encampment we require them to end the encampment immediately and to dismantle all structures. We have also notified them that their conduct is inconsistent with the Trespass to Property Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. T. 21. After the encampment ends, we will continue to protect community members right to protest and freely assemble.
We continue to monitor the situation very closely and will provide further updates as we are able.
Representatives from the University have met in person with members of the encampment every day since Monday, May 13. The University has used those engagements to request access to the encampment to conduct a safety inspection which members of the encampment have so far denied. Safety inspections are common throughout the University and help to ensure that we meet legal requirements under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Members of the encampment have used these daily opportunities to reiterate their demands. Once we are able to conduct a safety inspection of the encampment and assure physical safety for all members of the community we can continue dialogue on the substantive issues raised by the members of the encampment.
We are aware of reports of racist and homophobic remarks and aggressive behaviour towards members of the encampment. Such behaviour against any member of our community is completely unacceptable. As we have clearly stated in our messaging since May 13, in policy and in our list of prohibited activities, hate speech, threats, and other discriminatory language or behaviour represents a violation of University policy and, in some cases, the law. Individuals found to engage in this behaviour will face consequences in line with University policies and the law.
The University engaged with the protest movement before the encampment commenced to hear their calls for action and to initiate appropriate actions. Following representations to Board and Senate, and as a result of engagement from faculty members at Senate and Board, the University has already committed to:
- consider responsible investing policy issues in discussion with relevant Board committees and report back and update the Board at their next meeting in June;
- and to consult on and develop principles to guide how we decide which institutional partnerships we will enter into.
We shared these commitments on May 9, in the Daily Bulletin and further reinforced these actions in emails to the campus community on May 13 and May 17, 2024. These are reasonable, achievable and necessary next steps that allow for the protestors points of advocacy to be discussed and actioned as appropriate, while maintaining our legal and fiduciary responsibilities.
It’s important to state again that while this work is already underway, the timeline for making decisions about University investing policies and partnership agreements will take much longer than the timeline that those protesting are asking for and changes must be inclusive of the views of all stakeholders we serve.
We urge the protestors to end the encampment so we can pursue constructive dialogue within the appropriate structures of the University and its governance practises.
We recognize this may be a stressful and upsetting time for members of the Waterloo community. We remind you of the resources and supports available to University community members including the Employee and Family Assistance Program (for employees), Counselling Services (for students) and 211Ontario (for people with no affiliation to the University).