Read the full statement in YFile

The post Supporting grief, compassion and community on campus appeared first on Better Together.

Read the full statement in YFile

The post Keeping University spaces safe, inclusive and welcoming for all members of the community appeared first on Better Together.

The University administration acknowledges – with heartfelt empathy – the pain and anger experienced by members of the community due to what is happening in Gaza, and recognizes that the decision to disband the encampment today will be difficult for many community members. Although the encampment was untenable because of its infringement on community space, the University wishes to respond to the concerns that motivated it.

Following on the University’s earlier message today, York affirms its openness to engaging with community members – students, faculty, instructors and staff – on the specific issues that have been raised.

York will enhance supports for �첥��Ƶ Palestinian students and other students affected by war, including working with student groups around their needs. Recognizing the destruction of Palestinian universities, we have already begun and will expand efforts to support displaced Palestinian researchers through the Scholars at Risk program. We are open to other suggestions for initiatives to support Palestinian students, scholars and scholarship.

York currently discloses its investments and is committed to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investment principles. The University administration proposes adding to this by extending an invitation to our student associations, and any of their student members, to meet with senior administration to discuss York’s investments, the transparency of University holdings, and the University investment strategy, including what further ESG steps could be taken.

The University administration is clear that it will not seek any reprisal against York community members who participated peacefully in the encampment. The University supports and upholds academic freedom and the freedom of expression within the limits of the law, including peaceful protest; however, this support does not extend to unauthorized encampments.

Well-being support is available for students, faculty, instructors and staff.

The post York affirms its commitment to ongoing dialogue and engagement appeared first on Better Together.

As was shared yesterday, early on the morning of June 5, 2024, a group of individuals unknown to the University came onto York’s Keele Campus without permission and set up tents in the Harry W. Arthurs Common (the Common) despite efforts by York security indicating that they were not allowed to do so.

York’s campuses must be accessible for all community members and visitors – the Common is intended for use as a space for study, work, and leisure.

Those who set up the encampment have now received a trespass notice due to their unauthorized use of campus grounds.

Currently, the individuals involved in the encampment have left peacefully. York’s Community Safety �첥��Ƶ team is clearing the site of equipment so that it may be returned to its intended use as soon as possible. Toronto Police Service presence was requested by the University to ensure the safety of all concerned.

York supports the rights of our community members to advocate for the views they hold and will continue to actively seek to engage in respectful dialogue about challenging topics.

Please expect a message later today responding to the concerns that motivated the encampments, including the profound suffering of Palestinians in Gaza. We are also committed to meeting with community representatives within the next week.

The post Message to the York Community regarding removal of an encampment appeared first on Better Together.

During the night, a group of individuals came onto York’s Keele Campus and set up tents in the Harry W. Arthurs Common. They were informed by the Community Safety �첥��Ƶ team that any unauthorized use of campus grounds is a violation of university policies and that encampments or occupations are not permitted.

It is important to remember that the majority of York students commute to campus. The Common is an open space, intended to be available for use by the entire York community consisting of some 60,000 plus students, faculty, instructors, staff and those who visit the Common regularly for work, study and leisure. Families who live on the Keele Campus also use the space for activities with their children.

At the same time, we remain steadfast in our commitment to freedom of expression and academic freedom. We support the rights of our community members to advocate for the views they hold. The University will be seeking to establish a dialogue with the individuals in the encampment as well as other affected parties regarding the issues that have been raised.

The health and wellbeing of our community members, and the safety of our campus spaces are our top priorities. All community members should be able to rely on our campuses being respectful and safe for everyone, and we continue to call on all of us to treat each other with empathy and compassion as we navigate these issues together.

Please see the University’s prior statement regarding encampments.

The post Message to the Community about an encampment on �첥��Ƶ property appeared first on Better Together.

I hope that you are all doing well as you are finishing the 2023-2024 academic year and looking ahead to the summer.

I am reaching out to talk to you about York’s commitment to open and respectful dialogue, and about our collective efforts to create inclusive and welcoming campuses. The pain and anger experienced by members of our community due to what is happening in Gaza and Israel are real, and we affirm the rights of our community members to peaceful free expression in response. We are guided by the following principles:

• Safety is our top priority: Every member of the York community must be safe on our campuses. Students, faculty members, instructors and staff have the right to fully participate in all facets of university life without harassment, intimidation, threats, disruption or acts of violence.
• Discrimination will not be tolerated: Targeting any member of the York community based on their race, religion, national origin, or any other identified characteristic is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated.
• We respect the right to free speech and the free exchange of ideas: York is committed to the fundamental values of free expression, free inquiry and respect for genuine diversity of thought and opinion. It is the right of all community members to express their views within the law and without fear of intimidation or harassment or the promotion of violence.
• We are all responsible: Every group and individual member of the York community must uphold these principles. There is a collective and individual responsibility to protect the rights of every member of the York community to a safe environment in which ideas can be freely exchanged.

Over the past number of months, York students demonstrating and counter-demonstrating have worked collaboratively with the Division of Students, Campus Safety, and the Temporary Use of University Space Office to ensure the safety of participants and have also provided marshals and other supports to help prevent escalation. We commend the many students and student leaders who have worked diligently to support peaceful demonstrations. We hope to continue to work with students and other community members to ensure that your rights to free speech are maintained in a safe manner in accordance with University policies.

We recognize that across North America, community members at a number of universities are currently engaged in protests, including encampments.

We want to remind you that �첥��Ƶ is private property and any unauthorized use would be a violation of the Trespass to Property Act and University policies -encampments or occupations are not permitted under these regulations.

Our primary concern is that encampments pose a significant health and safety risk to participants and can lead to escalations between different groups, including through the involvement of non-community members. The university may not be adequately able to support or ensure participant safety; hygiene, access to washrooms, and litter are concerns; outdoor cooking or heating are hazardous; and especially after dark the risk of assaults and other harmful or dangerous conduct is heightened.

We will also continue to work with community members to ensure that incidents of anti-Palestinian racism, Islamophobia and antisemitism do not occur. All community members should be able to rely on our campuses being respectful and safe for everyone.

We are calling on all members of our community to treat each other with empathy and compassion as we navigate these issues together.

I wish you all the best as we move into the summer, and as always, please reach out if you have any questions.

If you need support, connect with  and well-being resources. Graduate students can also visit student services for graduate students and graduate student wellness services.

Best wishes,

Nona Robinson
Vice Provost Students

The post York's commitment to open and respectful dialogue appeared first on Better Together.