Safety and respect on campus November 21 & 22

Some departmental student associations have voted to strike November 21 and 22, as the 70th Annual Session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly opens in Montreal. Demonstrations and walkouts are expected across the city, including at Concordia. 

Ahead of the anticipated actions this week, we are calling on all community members and groups — particularly the striking student associations — to denounce violence in all its forms. Everyone has a responsibility to help ensure that protest activities remain peaceful and respectful and do not cross the line into criminal acts, such as vandalism and assault.  

Furthermore, students who choose to strike must respect their peers who wish to attend classes. No one will be permitted to prevent others from entering or leaving Concordia buildings or classrooms.  

Please take a moment to review behaviour guidelines and to understand your rights and responsibilities outlined in the Code of Rights and Responsibilities.

Looking back on recent events

Recently, there has been an increase in violence, harassment and intimidation on our campuses. In particular, protestors assaulted three Campus Safety and Prevention Services (CSPS) agents during demonstrations on September 25 and October 31. Some agents have also been targeted on social media. 

Additionally, there have been false claims that CSPS agents have initiated confrontations and even chased protestors on campus. In reality, CSPS staff have had to act in the face of increasingly aggressive behaviour, which has included physical attacks.  

CSPS agents are trained to try to manage crowds and de-escalate tense situations. However, they cannot stand idly by if they feel threatened or if they witness criminal behaviour, including when that behaviour is directed toward them. 

Calling on everyone to do their share

Every Concordian has the right to study and work without fear of experiencing physical violence, witnessing vandalism or being the target of harassment.  

As a community, we must agree that attacks on people and property are simply unacceptable and cannot be tolerated.  

People external to Concordia have the same obligations not to hurt, harass or intimidate. Student associations or groups found to be helping external people or groups gain access to Concordia events, spaces and resources could be held responsible for the conduct of any such non-community member.  

Further, any individual found to be helping people or groups gain access to Concordia events, spaces or resources could be held responsible and face disciplinary action and/or criminal prosecution, as appropriate. 

Our community holds a full range of opinions and positions, and Concordia has always been a place where we can debate, discuss and explore different, even polarizing, ideas. However, this only works because we have collectively committed to keeping our campuses safe and respectful for everyone.  

We call on all members of our community to do their share to ensure this happens. 

Key resources 

• If you are concerned about your safety or observe any prohibited behaviour, contact Campus Safety and Prevention Services at 514-848-3717 or ext. 3717.  
• If you believe that you have been impacted by a Code violation, feel that a member of the Concordia community has engaged in harassment, discrimination, physical violence or threats, or if you wish to lodge a complaint, please contact the Office of Rights and Responsibilities at 514-848-2424, ext. 8659 or rights@concordia.ca.   
• Download the Rave Guardian app if you have not done so already. You’ll get more direct access to campus safety resources and will receive alerts during an emergency.    
• Familiarize yourself with university emergency procedures.