狐狸视频

U of T marks entrustment of Antisemitism Working Group Report

The 狐狸视频 released a video  to mark the entrustment of the and affirm the university鈥檚 commitment to tackling anti-Semitism in all its forms. 

The report outlines eight recommendations to tackle antisemitism and religious discrimination on campus while also addressing the extent and limits of academic freedom in a university setting. 

All of the recommendations 鈥 which range from developing measures to respond to harassment to addressing definitions of antisemitism and providing kosher food on campus 鈥 were accepted by university leadership when the report was released in December, 2021. 

鈥淭he principles of equity, diversity and inclusion are fundamental to the institutional identity and academic mission of the 狐狸视频,鈥 said U of T President Meric Gertler during the virtual entrustment ceremony.  

鈥淎s an integral part of that commitment, we are profoundly opposed to antisemitism, which remains an unwelcome source of discrimination, harassment and violence in our society, and a threat to free societies everywhere.鈥 

President Gertler thanked the members of the Antisemitism Working Group, as well as individuals and organizations at U of T and beyond who took part in the working group鈥檚 consultations and surveys, for making 鈥渁 vital contribution to the university.鈥 

He noted outlines a concrete plan of action to implement all eight recommendations. 鈥淲e鈥檙e hopeful it will ensure that all members of the Jewish community feel safe and welcome on our campuses. This, in turn, will strengthen the ability of the 狐狸视频 to fulfil its academic mission,鈥 President Gertler said. 

The Antisemitism Working Group was established in December 2020 to examine antisemitism on campus, craft a framework to inform U of T鈥檚 response to the issue and recommend ways to improve education about 鈥 and responses 鈥 to the various manifestations of antisemitism. 

This entrustment marking the official handover of the working group鈥檚 final report to university administration, was emceed by Jodie Glean, interim executive director, equity, diversity and inclusion.  

鈥淥ver the course of the pandemic the world has been called to grapple with and address the many forms of systemic inequities, racism and discrimination that continue to impact the lives and livelihoods of many communities,鈥 Glean said in her introductory remarks. 鈥淲e must activate our collective responsibility to foster inclusive and respectful environments so that we may all share in and experience the sentiment of belonging across the tri-campus.鈥 

Glean welcomed the eight recommendations outlined in the working group鈥檚 report, saying they provide the university with a 鈥渃ritical tool and guide鈥 to address antisemitism. 

The group 鈥 chaired by Arthur Ripstein, a in the Faculty of Law and the department of philosophy in the Faculty of Arts & Science 鈥 consulted with students, faculty, staff and librarians on how to foster an environment that鈥檚 welcoming to members of the Jewish community. 

Ripstein said the recommendations are designed to help the university make progress in coming to terms with antisemitism 鈥 not a direct response to specific incidents. 

鈥淥ur aim was to make recommendations for the ways in which the university can deal with problems of antisemitism in light of its distinctive place in society 鈥 a place that is, on the one hand, dedicated to equity and inclusion for everyone, and on the other hand, committed to fundamental principles of free speech and academic freedom,鈥 Ripstein said. 

Kelly Hannah-Moffat, U of T鈥檚 vice-president, people strategy, equity and culture, said that antisemitism at U of T takes many forms, from blatant to subtle.  

鈥淎s the report shows, antisemitism can mean perpetuating stereotypes of what it means to be Jewish, it can be demanding that all members of the Jewish community adhere to a single set of beliefs or values, it encompasses faith-based discrimination as well as racism,鈥 she said.  

Hannah-Moffat outlined some of the steps that the division of people strategy, equity and culture will take to promote equity, expand education and protect the safety and well-being of members of the Jewish community. They include: providing workshops and training led by the Anti-Racism and Cultural Diversity Office (ARCDO) to address antisemitism and promote inclusive practices; working with partners inside and beyond U of T to provide programming to promote the well-being of Jewish community members; engaging in a critical review of U of T鈥檚 Statement on Prohibited Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment s and sharing resources pertinent to the responsibilities of employers to accommodate religious observances. 

鈥淲e will be accountable and in implementing the recommendations of the Antisemitism Working Group report,鈥 Hannah-Moffat said. 

In addressing the topic of academic freedom, the working group鈥檚 report says U of T must emphasize that members of its community are entitled to take the positions they wish on difficult and controversial questions, and that their positions must not impede their ability to participate in activities or access resources at the university. 

鈥淚n our community, the principle of academic freedom, which involves the right to investigate, speculate and comment without reference to prescribed doctrine, is core to scholarship,鈥 said Trevor Young, dean of the Temerty Faculty of Medicine who was acting vice-president and provost when the final report was delivered. 鈥淎cademic freedom lies at the heart of the open debate that advances knowledge across the disciplines, and we uphold its protection. 

鈥淲e are grateful to the working group for recognizing that academic freedom can indeed exist alongside our efforts to build a more inclusive space for Jewish members of our community.鈥 

UTC