The University of Guelph is joining the chorus of other universities in the country, stating activist encampments will not be permitted on campus.
It comes after demonstrations at campuses across the United States due to the Israel-Hamas conflict. An encampment was also set up earlier this week at McGill University in Montreal, prompting warnings at the University of Ottawa and University of Toronto.
“The risks associated with encampments go against our policies and therefore are not permitted,” said U of G media spokesperson Jessamine Luck in an emailed statement.
Luck noted the campus is considered private property, and those on the property are expected to uphold school policy.
“The University of Guelph has a steadfast commitment to the principle of freedom of speech and a responsibility to create and maintain spaces for open dialogue and the free exchange of ideas and diverging opinions,” she added.
“We also have an obligation to foster an environment where everyone can study, work and live without discrimination, harassment or intimidation.”
Luck said there haven’t been such encampments set up locally.
It wasn’t expressly stated what penalties would be imposed if that were to change, such as expulsion. Luck said the school’s response “would be guided by our policies.”
According to the school’s Freedom of Expression policy statement, U of G “reserves the right to restrict expression that it reasonably believes violates laws, creates safety concerns or disrupts the normal functioning of the university.”
There has been some protest activity involving U of G students.
Multiple walkouts have taken place, and last week, a board of governors meeting was “shut down.”
According to a post on Instagram from the account U of G for Palestine, students have been calling on the school to “end its unethical investments” in companies it says have been arming Israel and “are complicit in the ongoing apartheid and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.”
Demonstrations have turned violent in the US, including at UCLA and Columbia University.
Camps have also been set up at a couple of universities in British Columbia.
At McGill, an injunction filed to stop the protest was rejected by a Quebec judge, though the judge did acknowledge the encampment is illegal.
