We last wrote to the community to share an update on the University’s engagements with the members of the protest encampment on May 21. In this update, we continue to provide information to our community in line with our commitment to be transparent in our interactions with encampment protesters.
Our approach to engaging with members of the encampment remains rooted in our commitment to the right to speak and assemble freely on our campuses. We affirm that our mandate as a University is to advance learning and knowledge through teaching, research, and scholarship. This is not possible unless there is an environment of free expression and free inquiry.
The advancement of free expression must be done responsibly, and it is incumbent on everyone at Waterloo to engage in free expression in a supportive, respectful and tolerant manner. Harassing behavior, such as attacks on individuals is not consistent with the advancement of our mission, or with our values.
Engaging in dialogue with the protest encampment
Since May 13, leaders have been in regular contact with members of the encampment to ensure their safety and the safety of the rest of the campus while the encampment remains in place. We have also been working towards our goals during this period of dialogue, which are to engage productively to:
- discuss the concerns that the protestors have raised,
- reach an amicable and peaceful conclusion to this encampment, and
- continue productive dialogue on the substantive issues long after the encampment ends.
The magnitude of the suffering and violence that so many people in the Middle East and in conflict zones around the world are experiencing is unimaginable for most. We know that many people in our community are experiencing these traumas deeply, and personally. Part of our engagements with the encampment have been to offer trauma-informed supports to help their members navigate this difficult time.
On May 29, senior members of University administration met with members of OccupyUW to discuss the specific demands they are making as part of their protest. At this meeting, the University outlined details of the announcement shared on Monday which includes three specific actions on investments and partnerships in response to months-long representations from students as well as senate and board members.
These commitments are similar to those made at numerous other institutions across Ontario, and give Waterloo the opportunity to create longer-term, meaningful change that reflects the viewpoints of our whole community.
The members of the encampment are raising important questions which had been raised before May 13. As a result, we had started on a path to action. We will continue to engage with members of the encampment to share the work the University is doing to address these and other issues within the mandate of the University.
We have invited members of the encampment to continue dialogue with senior administrators. Members of the encampment have declined this offer today. We want to engage to move forward on issues in ways that are possible within the structures of the University and that are within our mandate to advance learning through scholarship, teaching and research within a spirit of free enquiry and expression.
We urge members of the encampment to engage in productive interactions on the issues at hand.
Communicating transparently to support free speech
We are also aware that many members of our community are concerned about our approach to engaging with the encampment, in particular our notice of policy violations. In all of our work, we continue to reiterate our commitment to supporting everyone’s 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 constructive dialogue.
Waterloo has a long track record of protecting and supporting the right to protest. Since last October, this University has experienced several protests and demonstrations from a variety of groups representing a range of viewpoints. All of these activities, including those that disrupted governance meetings, have proceeded without interference from the University.
We recognize that protest is an important right that we must protect, it is equally important for the University to fulfil its obligations (required under Policy 50, Policy 48, the Occupational Health and Safety Act and more) to uphold policy and to identify for our members when they act in violation of policy. Communicating when members of our community are acting in violation of policy is not a violation of protestors' right to free expression.
Reaching an end to the tensions that our campus is experiencing will not be easy and will take patience. We know we have significant work ahead of us to debate difficult topics and make a lasting impact on the future of this University.
We are committed to that work and we will continue to share updates with our community as it progresses.
James W.E. Rush
Vice-President, Academic and Provost
Office of the Vice-President, Academic and Provost
Jacinda Reitsma
Vice-President, Administration and Finance
Office of the Vice-President, Administration and Finance
