President thanks the community for their patience and understanding
I’d like to thank the Concordia community for their cooperation and resiliency as we faced a threat directed at our Muslim student population today.
I’d also like to thank the SPVM for their collaboration as they conducted their investigation and to ensure the safety of our downtown campus. This included the evacuation of the EV, Hall and GM buildings.
The investigation into these threats is ongoing and we will continue to work with the SPVM. We’ve already taken steps to increase security on both campuses.
Following discussions with the SPVM, we are now in a position to reopen the EV, Hall and GM Buildings this evening so that classes starting at, or after 6 p.m., can take place.
Throughout the day, we kept in touch with the Muslim Students Association, offering them support.
For anyone who feels they need support because of today’s events, I encourage you to call our Counselling and Psychological Services at 514-848-2424, ext. 3555. Faculty and staff can also reach out to our Employee Assistance Program at Homewood Health at 1-800-663-1142.
If you see anything you believe is suspicious activity on campus, or you do not feel safe, I encourage you to contact our Security Department at 514-848-3717.
For students whose classes and exams were affected by the evacuations, or if you have other concerns about completing your coursework or exams, please speak with your professor. I hope that professors will be flexible in light of this very unusual situation.
I’d like to thank Madame Hélène David, minister responsible for Higher Education, who came to Concordia to show her support and joined with us to address the media.
Finally, I’d like to reiterate that Concordia condemns this hateful and violent expression of intolerance that has targeted our community. We are a university that embraces diversity. It is a key element of who we are.
We will continue to support one another and make sure that our institution remains welcoming and inviting for all of our students, staff and faculty.
Alan Shepard
President