Abrahem Alheyali | Staff Writer
Featured image: Glendon has been evacuated three times in the last month due to several threats found in washroom graffiti. | Manal Rahim
Following seven instances of hate graffiti in the past month, a Town Hall meeting was called at York’s Glendon campus to allow students and staff to raise their concerns to administrators and police.
The “Town Hall for Safety, Security, and Inclusion” on March 24 saw York’s Community Safety Department address the nature of the incidents, as well as measures, protocol and services in place.
The event followed a joint statement issued by York President and Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri and Vice-President Academic and Provost—and recently appointed President Delegate—Rhonda Lenton on March 23 that addressed the “anti-Semitic, anti-Black and Islamophobic hate graffiti and threats” found at various locations at York’s Keele and Glendon campuses.
“We condemn all acts of hate, and we embrace diversity as the very foundation of our institution,” read the statement.
Earlier in the month, swastikas were found drawn on a chalkboard in the Victor Phillip Dahdaleh building and several threats have appeared in a Glendon washroom—three leading to evacuations.
No arrests have been made and the incidents are currently being investigated as acts of mischief.
“We think one person is responsible for this and he is desperately attempting to get attention,” said Toronto Police Service Constable Victor Kwong.
At the Town Hall meeting, Glendon Principal Donald Ipperciel discussed the incidents and reassured students, urging them to stay united.
“The campus has been inspected by Toronto police, and they have declared it safe,” he said.
“Let’s respond to these criminal acts with a united voice. Let’s respond to negative messages with positive messages. Let’s disempower hateful ideas by reaffirming our beliefs in diversity and inclusion.”
Some students, however, stated that the university should have reacted more quickly to these incidents.
Nasra Mohamed, a Glendon student, commented that she no longer feels safe on campus and wants to see security tightened.
“A lot of people want you to call this place your home, especially if you live on campus, but I don’t know if I can consider it that right now,” she said.
Natalie Swanton, a York student, stated that she feared the threats would turn to action.
“It kind of makes you worry to come to school now. If it were to be true, it could kill or injure many people, so you definitely don’t want to take that lightly,” she said.
Ipperciel stated that staff and faculty were not trained adequately to respond to these events, which is something he wants to change.
He also added that the university’s communication protocol strategy will be reviewed.
“We have to do better,” he said.
In the meantime, students are encouraged to contact The Office of Student Affairs (Glendon) or The Department of Community Safety if they become aware of any hate-graffiti or any messages that promote hate.
