Current Students

Dear Glendon students,

I am writing to you today in response to the series of hate-crime messages found on our campus in recent days. There have been six instances in the last two weeks where graffiti with anti-Semitic, anti-black, and bomb threats messages have been found in a bathroom stall located on the main floor in the Centre of Excellence. The messages were all similar in tone and form. As expressed earlier, we are deeply concerned and saddened by these acts which we condemn unequivocally. Anti-Semitism, racism and other forms of hate or attack on members of our community have no place on our campus. While we can’t always comment publicly on the actions taken by our staff to address these incidents, we have been meeting with students groups and are working closely with York’s Community Safety personnel. Based on the information we possess at the moment, we do not believe that there is an increased threat to the community. We would like to reassure faculty, students and staff that we take their safety seriously and that the campus remains a safe working and learning environment. We wish to express our unwavering support to those who feel directly targeted by the messages, as well as our entire Glendon community. Despite seemingly rising occurrences of hate-crime speech on the global stage, we are committed to honouring the values so dear to Glendonites.

What we can do
Contact York’s Community Safety Department if you become aware of hate-speech graffiti or any other types of occurrences that condone or promote hate on campus at 416-650-8000 extension 58000 or contact 911. Students who need support, can access these services:

The Accessibility, Well-Being, and Counselling Centre (Glendon)
The Office of Student Affairs (Glendon)
Centre for Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion (Keele)
The Department of Community Safety (Keele)
Glendon College Student Union (GCSU), student organizations, residence dons, peer mentors, and peers

Stand up against hate speech!
#GLNotreMaison began as a collaborative effort between Student Affairs and the GCSU and is a way to take action, speak up and denounce hate crime on campus by spreading messages of unity, care and support. Hate crime seeks to divide us and to produce apathy and fear. #GLNotreMaison is intended to draw power away from hate, toward solidarity and inclusion. There are two ways to participate:

Tell us what makes Glendon home and/or what diversity, equity and inclusion mean to you, by using #GLNotreMaison and #Glendon on social media.
Drop by the Lion’s Den to write your response on a poster. Take action and join the conversation today.

Information Session
I also want to take this opportunity to invite you to a town hall meeting which will take place this Friday, March 24th, at 2:30 pm, in room A100. For those unable to attend in person, we invite you to join the conversation via Livestream on the Lion’s Den Facebook page. Simultaneous interpretation will be available.

We have invited our colleagues from York University Community Safety to tell us more about the nature of the incidents, as well as the measures, protocols and support services in place.

I look forward to seeing you on Friday to address these issues together.

Donald Ipperciel, Principal
Glendon Campus