Dear members of the Queen’s community,
Over the past week, our institution has been faced with new challenges that have been felt across the Queen’s community, including an ongoing labour disruption.
This moment serves as a reminder of the fundamental role that universities must play in fostering a plurality of views, encouraging rigorous debate, and upholding the right to free expression. At Queen’s, we are steadfast in our commitment to these freedoms, recognizing the vital contributions made by dialogue, demonstration, and labour action within the bounds of the law.
With that said, the meaningful exercise of free expression must always be accompanied by a deep commitment to civility and mutual respect. Intimidation, harassment, and threatening behaviour - whether directed at individuals or groups - have no place in an academic community dedicated to learning and the exchange of ideas. Regrettably, recent incidents have created an environment in which some members of our community may feel unable to participate fully in important conversations.
Specifically, students have reported incidents of feeling targeted and intimidated when attempting to enter and exit university buildings to study, to attend classes, and to participate in university and academic activities. In addition, we have witnessed individuals and groups being directly targeted on signage and in social media. These attacks are unacceptable.
A shared commitment to respectful engagement is essential if we are to uphold the integrity of our academic mission. I urge all members of the Queen’s community to reflect on their role in fostering an environment where differing viewpoints can be expressed without fear, and where intellectual inquiry is strengthened by a culture of mutual respect.
To that end, I encourage anyone who experiences or witnesses behaviour that undermines these principles to report it through the university’s harassment and discrimination reporting process. If you ever feel unsafe, please contact campus security at 613-533-6111. Ensuring that Queen’s remains a space for free, open, and constructive dialogue is a responsibility we all share, and I thank you for your continued commitment to this ideal.
Sincerely,
Patrick Deane
Principal & Vice-Chancellor