To the entire UWaterloo community,
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 University’s mandate is to advance learning and knowledge through teaching, research, and scholarship. This is only possible in an environment of free expression and inquiry. We have and will continue to fiercely protect these rights on our campuses. Complex ideas belong here. Diverging viewpoints belong here. Debate and scholarly disagreement have a home in our classrooms and in all university spaces; protest and protest movements do too. Everyone at Waterloo has a unique contribution to make to our community. Each and every one of you are valued. Each and every one of you belong here.
This has been a difficult and divisive time for our community. I know that some members of the community disagree with some of the actions taken by the University. I also know that many of you – employees and students alike – have experienced harms on campus. Instances of antisemitism and of anti-Palestinian racism have been reported on many occasions over these past few months.
Healing from this division will take time and effort. The Task Forces’ consultative processes will give us an opportunity for dialog on our principles for partnerships and investments. We are also examining opportunities for discourse and engagement that will bring our diverse community together to do what we are best at: learn about and identify solutions to society’s most complex challenges.
The Israel-Hamas war continues to devastate us and to affect many in our community very profoundly, and personally. I urge you to remember that you have access to supports if you need them.
As we look ahead, let’s reflect on the values that make our institution such a special place to work and learn: we think differently, act with purpose and most importantly, work together. I hope that these next few weeks will see us work together to bring healing and peace to our community.
Supports are 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).
Vivek Goel
President and Vice-Chancellor
Office of the President
