Read Dean Woodin’s remarks from the October 18, 2023, Arts & Science Faculty Council meeting, where she congratulated newly elected members and thanked them for their service to the Faculty, and focused the remainder of her remarks on the war in the Middle East.
Good morning to everyone in person and online, joining me for this first Arts & Science Faculty Council meeting of the year. For those of you who are new to council, and for those who are here as guests, I extend a special welcome.
And I want to congratulate the newly elected members of council and to Chair Goring — thank you for your service again this year in this important leadership role.
Council is not only our central governance body for our Faculty community, it’s also a place for us to come together, and I’m grateful for your attendance here today.
You may have recently learned that the provost has re-appointed me as dean of the Faculty for a second five-year term, beginning July 1, 2024.
I am deeply heartened that the Faculty has put their trust in my leadership and I am honoured to have the opportunity to continue serving in this capacity.
My remarks this morning will be sombre, as I focus on the war in the Middle East.
You most likely will have seen the University’s message from Vice-President, International Joe Wong to the community on October 9.
In this message, the University condemned the terrorist violence and expressed its deep sadness at the targeting of Israeli civilians. The University joined the international community in its call for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Unfortunately, the conflict has only escalated, and the humanitarian situation in Israel and Palestine is now rapidly deteriorating.
I recognize there are many students, staff and faculty across the Arts & Science community that have direct and indirect ties to Israel and Palestine. We share in their immense grief and are concerned for everyone’s well-being amid the outbreak of war. And so, I ask everyone in our community to show compassion and kindness.
As an academic institution we uphold a firm commitment to the open exchange of diverse viewpoints and ideas and ask that everyone engages in those exchanges in a mutually respectful manner.
This is an extremely heart-wrenching and tragic situation and, while open dialogue and debate is always encouraged at the University — regardless of how difficult the topic is — we must always demonstrate civility and empathy to one another.
This is the time for support and understanding, not for division. Together we must be unwavering in our commitment to creating an inclusive community and be mindful of the impact of our words and actions.
You may have seen recent posts, one by the U of T Mississauga Students’ Union, and another by the Arts & Science Students’ Union. I have received complaints from students about the ASSU statement and have reached out to their leadership and will meet with them in the coming days.
I want to reiterate what my colleague at UTM has already shared within the UTM community.
That is, while student unions at the University of Toronto are autonomous, democratically elected student organization on campus, they are here to represent their whole student body and must abide by our Policy on Open, Accessible and Democratic Autonomous Student Organizations. Additionally, should a member of a student society have a concern that can’t be resolved within their society’s internal complaints procedures, there is the University Complaint and Resolution Council for Student Societies — a University-wide complaint and resolution process.
Moreover, if you are aware of any concerning behaviours or messages, you are asked to immediately contact Campus Safety or local police.
In closing, there is no place in our Faculty for antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism, hate, or discrimination of any kind. If you, or any of your student, staff, or faculty colleagues experiences any form of racism, you are encouraged to contact the Anti-Racism and Cultural Diversity Office.
Thank you all. My remarks will be shared widely with the A&S community after today’s meeting.
Melanie A. Woodin
Dean, Faculty of Arts & Science
Professor, Department of Cell & Systems Biology
University of Toronto
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