In the past few days, the McGill Alumni Association has received several expressions of opinion from McGill alumni in the wake of news reports on the events of November 10, 2011 on the downtown campus.
Some of these responses have been critical of McGill University, but all share a common thread: they reflect the commentors’ deep bond with, and strong affection for, McGill. It is encouraging and moving to see that even some the most critical messages stem mainly from a strong concern for McGill’s well being.
The McGill Alumni Association (MAA)’s own response to recent events is rooted in these same feelings. The MAA shares the community’s concern over the recent events. The presence of riot police on campus – in circumstances still to be fully elucidated – has left many shaken.
Just as McGill’s alumni do, the MAA hope the events of November 10 spur on a dialogue that reflects the University’s best traditions of passionate but civilized debate and intellectual respect. Just as alumni do, we wish that any new procedures, or new means of dialogue, that are developed in the wake of these events ultimately strengthen McGill.
While the MAA cannot take a position on specific incidents, or on claims relating to the events, we are heartened by the fact that the University quickly gave Dean Daniel Jutras of the Faculty of Law the mandate to conduct an independent investigation.
Equally heartening is that the terms of the inquiry mandate a report within a short timeline – by December 15. We believe a prompt and objective examination of the facts will contribute considerably to the elaboration of positive changes.
You can read the letter setting out the mandate in full here:
http://www.mcgill.ca/files/_nea/212110_Nov11LetterFromPrincipalHeatherMunroe-Blum.pdf
In the meantime, we look forward to hearing viewpoints from alumni, for McGill’s graduates have always played a key role in getting to the heart of issues that shape the University’s future. The MAA also pledges to lend any assistance we can to the University in fostering constructive dialogue or developing new initiatives.
November 18th, 2011 at 10:50 pm
The events of November 10th were certainly shocking. As an American McGill alumnus I am finding it difficult to support the student demands. A tuition increase of $350/year has engendered so much rage among many students, who at the same time are insisting that McGill bow to the wage demands of the MUNACA support staff. All of this at a university that is running a $6 million dollar deficit and largely funded by a province that is running a multibillion dollar deficit. Where is the money supposed to come from? Some protesters insist that there are other sources of revenue for McGill but they never specify what these sources are.
November 19th, 2011 at 8:39 pm
I am a McGill Alum who just happened to be a bystander to this event. Every day I walk through McGill on my way to and from work. Most of us in the downtown core knew that there was a student protest that day and expected some brou haha. For the downtown core, we experienced what we expected… some brou haha. To the poster above me, I really do not care about your American standards. Yes, we know that most of the American middle class is confused and being beaten from right and left, caught in the quagmire of a two party system that offers no choice and little way out of the circumstances that you all have propagated for far too long.
However, here is what I experienced… a military formation of about 200 riot police marching through McGill and people with chemical deterrents (aka pepper spray), banging shields and poking batons during what seemed to be a normal day. I saw a very small formation of people in from of the James Building. Eyes burning, I stayed clear of it all, the best I could. The whole event lasted less than five minutes.
I have since heard that the some people tried to take control of the James Building with what appear to be thug tactics.
No matter what I think of what I saw, I do know one thing – it was out of control and chaotic. I am only left wondering … how can this be at a public institution of higher education? Something non-Public reacted here. There is an apparent problem and a clear breakdown in communications amongst the Leadership, the Administration, the Students, the Police and now the Public.
More importantly, Mayor Tremblay should also address this situation. It would appear that he is keeping mum as usual. Does he not have any oversight? Or was he, like HMB, caught off guard? Maybe… just maybe… their entourage should be called into question too.
November 21st, 2011 at 5:49 pm
To Allen, I guess my “American standards” include expecting those who can afford to pay for services, including the cost of higher education, to actually pay for them instead of looking to the government to make public services “free” for everyone.
As for the events of November 10th, they were precipitated by a group of 14 protesters who acted, as you say, in a thuggish way. The reaction of the Montreal police appears to have been totally out of proportion to the initial actions of the protesters.
It is unfortunate that you have used this forum to vent your anti-American sentiments.
November 28th, 2011 at 12:32 pm
Well whatever you think of the merits or not of the protest, Universities should tolerate free speech.
If you call in the riot police, you know what’s going to happen.
Monroe-Blum should resign, like her counterpart at UC Davis is being pressured to.
And Alumni association? Please take my name of your mailing list. My association with McGill is not a source of pride.