In recent days, the University’s commitment to fighting antisemitism has been called into question.
Let me be clear: the University of Toronto stands resolutely against antisemitism, as it does against all forms of hate and discrimination. We have consistently and repeatedly condemned antisemitism and have taken strong steps to combat this pernicious form of hate, including enhancing our policies, training, and enforcement.
Furthermore, we acknowledge and deplore the upsurge of antisemitism in our society, our city, and at our university. As I shared in my address to delegates attending the Conference on Historical and Contemporary Antisemitism, hosted by the Anne Tanenbaum Centre for Jewish Studies at U of T in September, this remains an urgent matter of global concern.
For our part, we are working to clarify what constitutes antisemitism on our campuses so that we may recognize it and respond to it more effectively. This definition will be an important element of our plan to strengthen our capacity to respond to complaints of hate and discrimination. The goal is to make our system clearer, faster, more effective and more accountable.
We will also review our existing Statement on Prohibited Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment and ensure U of T’s compliance with Bill 166 (the Strengthening Accountability and Student Supports Act, 2024).
Embracing a core recommendation from the final report of the University’s 2021 Antisemitism Working Group, our Institutional Equity Office has redefined its mandate and scope explicitly to include antisemitism. It is also augmenting its capacity to counter antisemitism. And it is developing new training modules for managers across the University, to strengthen their ability to respond appropriately to antisemitic language and actions.
We also recognize that antisemitism is insidious and takes many forms. As such, we must rely on the recognition by everyone in our community that we have a shared responsibility to create an environment for teaching, learning, and research that is free from all forms of harassment, discrimination and hate, including antisemitism. This means comporting ourselves in ways that are informed by empathy, understanding and respect for our fellow students, faculty and staff.
To that end, we have initiated a community-wide process to enhance the capacity of our students, faculty and staff to ‘disagree well’ – to be able to discuss and debate difficult, politically charged issues across positions of difference. In doing so, we aim to restore a culture of civil discourse on our campuses. As a leading academic institution whose mission is the advancement of knowledge and the education of responsible citizens, nothing is more fundamental.
Finally, we will continue to counter this deeply troubling form of racism and discrimination through our core mission of scholarship and teaching, which enhances deeper understanding of difficult questions, accommodates debate over contentious issues, and promotes the search for solutions.
I and the rest of the leadership of the University are fully committed to addressing this challenge, to help avoid further hurt and to move our community forward.
Sincerely,
Meric S. Gertler
President