Dear Members of the ¿´Æ¬ÊÓƵ Community,
Welcome to a new academic year!
We are thrilled to see our university spring to life as students and colleagues from across the globe – indeed, more than 150 countries – unite on our beautiful campuses following the summer break. The promise and anticipation – of discovery, of new friendships, and of intellectual adventure – is palpable as we all get set to begin the Fall term.
The start of a new academic year offers us the chance to reaffirm our shared commitment to ¿´Æ¬ÊÓƵ’s Mission and Principles: academic freedom, integrity, responsibility, equity, and inclusiveness.
Drawing on these principles, each of us is entitled to be part of a campus community that affords us respect, inclusion, and support in our efforts to flourish in our academic pursuits. At the same time, we are all called upon to do our part to ensure that those around us also enjoy a respectful, inclusive, and supportive campus climate.
These commitments to a respectful, inclusive, and supportive campus are elaborated on in our policies, notably those related to academic freedom, harassment and discrimination, and sexual violence. We urge you to become familiar with these policies and the rights and responsibilities they confer.
Our return to campus this year is, however, marked by heightened global tensions, which have had reverberations for universities everywhere, including here at ¿´Æ¬ÊÓƵ. In this moment of social polarization, many intense forces stand to divide or alienate us from one another. Nonetheless, we are committed to working tirelessly to sustain collegiality, respect, and engagement even across stark difference and disagreement.
We invite you to join us in this work, as this critical juncture necessitates our collective commitment and engagement.
What does this mean, concretely? To begin, it requires us to understand that our words and actions affect others, whether we are in the same room or engaging via social media. Regardless of our intent, we must consider how others might receive what we do or say. We are therefore called to practice compassion, grace, and care for others, even – perhaps especially – when our instincts propel us firmly in the other direction.
This cardinal rule, of thinking about the effects of our words and acts on others, is especially important in our shared spaces, such as classrooms, labs, and residences. It is equally critical in situations where we exercise power and influence over others, which is the case of instructors, teaching assistants, and coaches in relation to students.
Our collective spaces, notably where students learn and engage in campus life, must be learner- and knowledge-focused. In these settings, personal and professional integrity and trust are paramount. This means that these spaces can never be misappropriated – especially by those in positions of authority – as a platform to persuade others of their political position. This would be diametrically opposed to the University’s Mission and Principles, named above, and to the academic responsibilities of those responsible for teaching, learning, research, and student life at ¿´Æ¬ÊÓƵ.
Over the weeks and months ahead, we will be sharing news about forthcoming initiatives at ¿´Æ¬ÊÓƵ that seek to focus campus connections and dialogue on crucial and contentious questions. Please be on the lookout for invitations to participate. We welcome a plurality of voices at these important tables, which will centre respectful and thoughtful engagement.
Normally, a message of this kind would close by wishing you a happy, healthy, and successful academic term. This is, of course, our wish for you. This year, however, we add an expression of hope that we can collaborate to centre outreach, dialogue, collegiality, and peace in our relations with each other.
Sincerely,
Christopher Manfredi
Provost and Executive Vice-President (Academic)
Angela Campbell
Interim Deputy Provost (Student Life and Learning)
Resources for students and staff:
Wellness Hub (for students)
Employee and Family Assistance Program (for faculty and staff)
(for all)
(for all: for inquiries or to report incidents of sexual violence, harassment, and/or discrimination)
First Peoples’ House (for students)
Black Student Affairs Liaison (for students)
Muslim Student Affairs Liaison (for students)
Jewish Student Affairs Liaison (for students)
Student Accessibility & Achievement (for students)
Accessibility Advisor (for faculty and staff)