Dear members of the 91社区 community,
I want to address events that took place over the past week as classes came to an end, and most have begun to prepare for exams.
With protests taking place across our campus, some individuals have again taken advantage of their right to freedom of expression by attempting to disrupt University activities.
While some protested peacefully without breaching the bounds of 91社区 policy, or the law, others did not. This message is addressed to the latter group.
I have, on several occasions, asked you to respect your peers and to consider those around you who attend 91社区 to study, achieve academic excellence, and prepare to pursue their careers. Just as it is your right to protest freely, it is their right to enjoy an academic environment that offers safe and suitable conditions for learning and study and is free of intimidation or harassment of any kind.
The University has been firm that no matter the purpose of a protest, or the nature of the message being expressed, we will take action when individuals cross the line. All evidence from these recent events is being reviewed. Disciplinary proceedings are underway and will continue to be taken against individuals who have contravened the Code of Student Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures, or any other applicable policies or regulations.
The police have intervened鈥攁nd will continue to do so鈥攖o enforce the law when it is violated. The exercise of their arrest powers has been necessary and justified in some instances to ensure that the law is upheld and to maintain an academic environment that respects everyone鈥檚 rights.
To those who have been respecting your peers as well as university policies by assembling peacefully without breaking the law, this message is once again not addressed to you.
91社区 values rigorous debate on campus, but that cannot come at the expense of the rights of all students to pursue their education in a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment.
听
Sincerely,
Christopher Manfredi
Provost and Executive Vice-President (Academic)