A message re: the protocol

Dear member of the McGill Community:

We would like to thank those of you who took the time to share your opinions concerning the Protocol Regarding Demonstrations, Protests and Occupations. Your comments on the substance of the document and on the process itself were thoughtful. There was no unanimity on changes being sought.

We write today to tell you that as a result of these consultations, it has become evident that further discussion on this complex issue would be helpful, and, that in addition to written submissions, different types of exchanges on this matter would be welcome before final decisions will be made. 

As well, in further reviewing best practices in this realm, we have come to an understanding that the McGill community will be best served by an agreed-upon statement of values and principles, rather than a protocol of operating procedures, which, by definition, must be sensitive to context and determined by judgment.

We will prepare a Statement of Values and Principles Concerning Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Peaceful Assembly that will be circulated to the entire McGill community. Dates and venues for the renewed consultation process will shortly be made available. The process will include consultation fairs and the creation of an open website allowing all comments to be made available to members of the University community.  We urge everyone to participate in this important process, which will be extended until March 8.

Following the consultation period, the Statement of Values and Principles Concerning Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Peaceful Assembly will be brought to Senate and Board of Governors for final deliberations this spring.

We look forward to the discussions and exchanges to come over the next months.  

Sincerely,

Michael Di Grappa, Vice-Principal (Administration and Finance)
Anthony C. Masi, Provost