We were among those who visited your office yesterday (April 19), very concerned about free speech on campus. Some of us had copies of a letter from the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, which we had hoped to discuss with you. It is understandable you might not have time in your busy schedule to see everyone concerned about this issue on short notice, but we hoped to make appointments with your staff to address these concerns as soon as possible, especially considering the statement this morning on the university website that you and your team have initiated a ‘review’ of the suppression of free speech on campus.
The students, faculty and community members with us did not disrupt anything upon arrival, nor did our conduct pose any safety risk or threaten anyone in any way, as has been claimed in the media. Although more people were present than might typically be the case at your office, the passage was still clear enough for people to move in and out. Things were in fact quite calm and quiet until the campus police arrived and rather loudly ordered people to disperse, for no apparent reason and without an opportunity to address the concerns that had brought us here.
Unfortunately, the arrival of campus police and their subsequent behaviour succeeded in precipitating a disruption, quite unnecessarily. This process of leaving our contact information for future appointments took rather longer than one might have expected, and frankly did not inspire confidence. Unfortunately, your reception staff were inexplicably not available to tell us when appointments could be made to meet with you.
The fact that campus police took it upon themselves to replace your receptionist-secretarial staff (thus doing the work of the University of Western Ontario Staff Association bargaining unit) is an additional concern, not only because it may in fact violate existing collective agreements but also because many people have legitimate concerns about being required to give their contact information to the police in order to make an appointment to see the president.
The issues of free speech and dissent are compelling and urgent. We remain very concerned and determined in our commitment to these fundamental values. We look forward to meeting with you.
David Heap, French Studies
Bernie Hammond, King’s University College
Robert Cory, Chemistry (Emeritus)
Steve D’Arcy, Philosophy, Huron University College
Douglass St.Christian, Anthropology