Dear members of the McGill community,
Welcome to the 2020-2021 academic year! I hope that you have all enjoyed some time for renewal over the summer months.
Although this Fall term will be unlike those past, our commitment to a respectful and inclusive campus has not wavered. This includes the development of McGill’s Plan for Addressing Anti-Black Racism, which include specific actions, targets, and timelines and will be accompanied by an allocation of resources to realize its goals. Addressing anti-Black racism is a matter of crucial importance, and I look forward to sharing the plan with you at the end of the month.
As an institute of higher learning, we share a particular responsibility to engage with one another with respect, empathy, and openness to diversity of ideas, identity, and experience. To help us best fulfill this responsibility, I suggest everyone take a few minutes to review McGill’s Policy on Harassment & Discrimination Prohibited by Law and Policy against Sexual Violence. Our Equity Team and Office for Sexual Violence Response Support & Education (OSVRSE) offer resources and programs that can strengthen our understanding of these Policies and measures to identify and challenge harassment, discrimination, and sexual violence. Confidential support services are also found through a range of resources.
I also remind those of you joining McGill as new students, faculty or staff that each of us must complete McGill’s Sexual Violence Education Program: It Takes All of Us. This must be done as soon as possible, if you have not already done so.
It Takes All of Us is just one measure McGill has put in place to prevent and respond to campus sexual violence. It is complemented by the work of our OSVRSE, which supports survivors (who may be students, faculty or staff) and leads educational and training activities for our campuses. I further remind the community that reports of sexual violence are investigated by special.investigator [at] mcgill.ca (independent investigators) who are mandated to carry out their work in a manner that is procedurally fair and trauma-informed.
Thank you all for doing your part in upholding a respectful and inclusive campus community at McGill.
Best of luck for the Fall 2020 term!
Sincerely,
Professor Christopher P. Manfredi
Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic)