/president/taxonomy/term/28/all en /president/article/communications-messages-community/welcome-academic-year-2024-2025 <p>Dear members of the McGill community,  <br /> <br /> The beginning of a new academic year always ignites a sense of excitement and opportunity. It is an absolute pleasure to see our campuses bustling with activity, as new and returning McGillians embark on a shared journey of discovery, connection, and intellectual flourishing. <br /> <br /> The return to campus this year is also marked by several challenges that are unfolding in Quebec, Canada, and internationally, which have a direct bearing on members of our community and on our university. <br /> <br /></p> Wed, 28 Aug 2024 19:27:40 +0000 Office of the President and Vice-Chancellor 795 at /president /president/article/communications-messages-community/looking-forward <p>Dear McGill community members,  <br /> <br /> I write today to update you following last week’s dismantlement of the encampment. This event was significant for McGill, and it occurred after we had worked assiduously for weeks and exhausted all other options to end this occupation of the lower field.  <br /> <br /> Difficult but necessary work lies ahead, calling for engagement from each of us within the McGill community. This work must focus on further strengthening our capacity for respectful dialogue, and renewing our focus on the academic mission that unites us all.  <br /> <br /></p> Thu, 18 Jul 2024 18:45:42 +0000 deidre.mccabe@McGill.Ca 793 at /president /president/article/communications-messages-community/appointment-vice-president-communications-and-institutional-relations <p>Dear members of the McGill community,<br /> <br /> I am pleased to announce the appointment of Philippe Gervais as Vice-President (Communications and Institutional Relations). In addition to Communications, the Vice-President’s portfolio will include Institutional Relations, encompassing both Government Relations and Public Relations. Mr. Gervais’ five-year renewable term will begin on August 1, 2024.  <br /> <br /></p> Mon, 15 Jul 2024 18:20:26 +0000 Office of the President and Vice-Chancellor 782 at /president /president/article/communications-messages-community/dismantlement-lower-field-encampment <p>Dear McGill community members,<br /> <br /> Earlier today, in close collaboration with the City of Montreal and police, the University began the dismantlement of the encampment on the lower field of McGill’s downtown campus through the engagement of a qualified security firm. The downtown campus is closed today to protect the safety of our community.<br /> <br /></p> Wed, 10 Jul 2024 10:46:53 +0000 Office of the President and Vice-Chancellor 777 at /president /president/article/communications-messages-community/events-july-5 <p>Dear McGill community members,  <br /> <br /></p> Mon, 08 Jul 2024 11:26:06 +0000 Office of the President and Vice-Chancellor 775 at /president /president/article/communications-messages-community/encampment-update <p>Dear McGill community members,  <br /> <br /> Like many of you, I learned this morning that Montreal police (SPVM) had begun the dismantlement of the Square Victoria encampment.  <br /> <br /> I take this as an encouraging sign that the City of Montreal and SPVM are taking a serious approach to these illegal encampments – acting to apply the law and protect our communities.  <br /> <br /></p> Fri, 05 Jul 2024 14:35:46 +0000 Office of the President and Vice-Chancellor 773 at /president /president/article/communications-messages-community/next-steps-update-lower-field-encampment <p>Dear Members of the McGill Community,  <br /> <br /> I am writing to share important updates since we last presented our offer to the McGill members of the encampment.  <br /> <br /> Since the encampment started more than 50 days ago, we have seen a series of completely unacceptable incidents take place and have sought assistance from the police to address these matters.  <br /> <br /></p> Tue, 18 Jun 2024 14:11:41 +0000 Office of the President and Vice-Chancellor 771 at /president /president/article/communications-messages-community/sphr-summer-program <p>Dear McGill community,  <br /> <br /> On the evening of June 12, a group called Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights (SPHR) published a notice on social media platforms featuring masked individuals holding assault rifles, which called for participation in a “revolutionary youth summer program” on the lower field next week. Their stated aim is to “educate the youth of Montreal.”  <br /> <br /> This is extremely alarming. It has attracted international media attention, and many in our community have understandably reached out to express grave concerns – concerns that I share. <br /></p> Fri, 14 Jun 2024 19:07:26 +0000 Office of the President and Vice-Chancellor 769 at /president /president/article/communications-messages-community/encampment-and-updated-proposal <p>Dear McGill community,  <br /> <br /> I know that some of you are still shaken by the events of last Thursday, when dozens of masked protestors <a href="/president/article/communications-messages-community/occupation-james-administration-building">forced their way</a> into the James Administration Building, barricaded and chained exterior exits, spray-painted the premises, damaged furniture, and led many employees in the building to feel intimidated, unsafe, and afraid.  <br /> <br /></p> Mon, 10 Jun 2024 19:50:59 +0000 Office of the President and Vice-Chancellor 767 at /president /president/article/communications-messages-community/occupation-james-administration-building <p>Dear members of the McGill community,</p> <p>You have likely already heard of a troubling incident that took place on our downtown campus yesterday. I write today to provide further information.</p> <p>Protesters forced their way into the James administration building on the downtown campus of �㽶��Ƶ and occupied it.</p> <p>The Montreal police (SPVM) mobilized and made multiple arrests to remove the protesters. McGill thanks the police for their expertise in handling the situation.</p> Fri, 07 Jun 2024 13:55:08 +0000 Office of the President and Vice-Chancellor 765 at /president /president/article/communications-messages-community/may-29-update-encampment <p>Dear members of the McGill community, <br /> <br /> The ongoing suffering and violence in the Middle East are devastating to witness. It is impossible not to feel deep anguish in the face of thousands of innocent human lives lost. For many members of our community, the loss is experienced as proximate and personal. Please know that there are supports available and they are listed at the end of this message.  <br /> <br /></p> Wed, 29 May 2024 18:28:26 +0000 Office of the President and Vice-Chancellor 761 at /president /president/article/communications-messages-community/update-encampment <p>Dear members of the McGill community,</p> <p>My last update on the situation on downtown campus was on May 3, the day after police had mobilized to successfully de-escalate tensions between large numbers of protesters and counter-protesters in front of the Roddick Gates.</p> <p>Since the beginning of the encampment, we have had many discussions with representatives of members of the McGill community participating in the encampment to try to find a timely and peaceful resolution. These talks are still ongoing.</p> Fri, 10 May 2024 20:03:08 +0000 Office of the President and Vice-Chancellor 759 at /president /president/article/communications-messages-community/may-3-update-situation-downtown-campus <p>Dear members of the McGill community,  <br /> <br /> I know that the situation on the lower field of downtown campus is on the minds of many of you.  <br /> <br /> Yesterday saw groups of protesters of different viewpoints in the area of the Roddick Gates on McGill’s lower campus. The Montreal police (SPVM) mobilized and worked successfully to avoid escalation. We are grateful for their expertise and continue to collaborate closely with them.  <br /> <br /></p> Fri, 03 May 2024 18:20:01 +0000 Office of the President and Vice-Chancellor 755 at /president /president/article/communications-messages-community/wednesday-may-1-update-downtown-campus <p>Dear members of the McGill community,  <br /> <br /> I am writing to update you as we work to resolve the situation on the field on lower campus.  <br /> <br /> The heartbreaking situation in the Middle East that has led to the encampment on McGill campus is complex. I recognize the diversity of positions on the subject and the need for these perspectives to be heard.  <br /> <br /></p> Wed, 01 May 2024 18:03:09 +0000 Office of the President and Vice-Chancellor 753 at /president /president/article/communications-messages-community/tuesday-april-30-update-downtown-campus <p>Dear members of the McGill community,  <br /> <br /> I am writing to update you regarding the encampment on our lower downtown campus.  <br /> <br /></p> Tue, 30 Apr 2024 12:17:32 +0000 Office of the President and Vice-Chancellor 751 at /president