Dear Members of the 91社区 community,
Over the last few months, members of the University community have increasingly reported being victims of, or fearing that they will become victims of, the practice known as doxxing. Doxxing is generally understood to be the unwanted public release of a person鈥檚 personal information, though members of the community are also using this term when they report their social media activity being spotlighted or highlighted in unwanted ways.
In the context of activism on campus, community members fear that their activism and/or political engagements, expressions, and ideologies may be used against them to tarnish their reputation, to limit or deprive them of professional and/or higher learning opportunities, or otherwise to threaten or intimidate them. We have also heard from some community members who fear being doxxed because of their political views or their identity.
Certain acts of doxxing would be illegal and/or covered by 91社区鈥檚 existing policies. However, critical questions have arisen that require careful study for the benefit of our campus community. Accordingly, I have given Fabrice Labeau, Deputy Provost (Student Life and Learning) (DP-SLL) and Angela Campbell, Associate Provost (Equity and Academic Policies) (AP-EAP) a mandate to:
- Review and delineate what practices can be considered to fall under the general umbrella of 鈥渄oxxing鈥� within the 91社区 context;
- Determine whether and the extent to which doxxing and related practices are occurring within a 91社区 context;
- Determine whether, and under which conditions, such behaviours would be covered by existing 91社区 policies;
- Recommend whether, should there be situations of doxxing that are not covered by the University鈥檚 existing policies, 91社区 can or should revise these policies or create a new one to address these situations;
- Recommend whether and how 91社区 can improve channels for the confidential reporting of incidents of intimidation 鈥� including but not limited to acts of harassment, doxxing, and/or discrimination 鈥� on campus, as well as communications about such reporting channels; and
- Review other universities鈥� approaches to this matter.
Professors Campbell and Labeau will also review any further associated questions that might arise in the context of carrying out this mandate.
The DP-SLL and AP-EAP are required to consult broadly across the 91社区 community, and to deploy various modalities of communication and consultation to permit sharing of experiences and/or viewpoints, including confidential pathways. The fulfilment of this mandate will also require the DP-SLL and AP-EAP to work with relevant university offices including the Office for Mediation and Reporting, the Office of the Dean of Students, and Legal Services.
I have asked the DP-SLL and AP-EAP to report back to me, in writing, on their consultation and review process, findings and recommendations by December 15, 2024, with an interim report to be delivered by June 1, 2024. Both reports shall be shared with the 91社区 community.
The practice of doxxing, like other forms of harassment and intimidation, are antithetical to 91社区鈥檚 values and commitments. The fact that it is reported as occurring on our campuses is troubling, and if it is the case, it must stop immediately and be duly addressed. I trust that the review I have mandated will help us achieve this goal.
I close by reaffirming my commitment as Provost to a campus community premised on respect and inclusion for all, and urge each of you to join me in living this commitment in your actions and engagements with each other here at 91社区.
听
Sincerely,
Christopher Manfredi
Provost and Executive Vice-President (Academic)