RALLY: JANUARY 21 AT 4:00 PM
University of Toronto, Simcoe Hall, 27 King’s College Circle
Toronto- As Naylor’s term expires in June 2010, the Governing Council conducted a review with the possibility of a five-year extension. The review hurriedly took place the week after winter holidays, wherein there were discussions, largely behind closed doors, as part of an opaque review process. Students and community members dissatisfied with the decisions implemented during David Naylor's term are braving the cold and undertaking their own community based review - out in the open, with music, speakers, performers and hot corn soup!
“Under David Naylor, we have witnessed an unequivocal attack on access and equity. Tuition has skyrocketed with Ontario undergraduates paying the highest fees in Canada. To add insult to injury, the University of Toronto recently decided to charge students a flat fee. This represents a 66% increase for students taking 3 or 3.5 courses if fully implemented in 2011", said APUS President, Jeff Peters.
Yet despite such reckless fee hikes, the University has simultaneously made cutbacks to vital equity programs including Area Studies, the Transitional Year Program, Disability Studies, Women and Gender Studies, Sexual Diversity Studies and many other major programs. The University also faces continued challenges and risks having its role significantly diminished due to debilitating budget cuts and a refusal by the central administration to replace retired faculty. For undergraduates these cuts have meant increasing class sizes, greater reliance on contract teaching staff and a diminished student experience. The reason cited for such irresponsible cutbacks is an endowment loss of up to 30% on account of the economic downturn; yet the administration is not taking responsibility for poor investment choices made under Naylor's leadership.
However, while the University screams poor when it comes to funding equity related programs, Naylor’s administration is prepared to spend tens of millions on corporate expansions to the Rotman School of Management, construction of the Munk Centre’s new Lassonde Mining Building, and elitist high-performance sports venues for the 2015 Pan American Games. These proposed capital projects (primarily the athletics facilities) will mean an inflation of user-fees for students who are already struggling to meet the rising cost of post-secondary education. One such venue, the Centre for High Performance Sport, will even evict the part-time student union, which has yet to be offered alternative space options. This clearly reflects the University’s skewed priorities. Under Naylor’s direction, education – long considered a right – has steadily become a privilege only for those with economic means.
Naylor's administration was also complacent while Toronto Police, based on a university investigation, handed trumped up criminal charges to 14 members of the University community, following a peaceful sit-in at the President’s office in March 2008, to protest a fee increase. To date, all charges have been dropped, stayed or withdrawn. Numerous groups, including countless labour and student groups and over 115 professors, denounced the University’s draconian handling of the situation as a criminalization and silencing of dissent.
“There is a long tradition of student protest on campus. This was an egregious violation of academic freedom, freedom of speech and Charter Rights in the case of the Fight Fees 14 – all values integral to the University community. In light of President Naylor’s less than stellar track record, the question we should be asking is not whether his appointment ought to be renewed rather should we be seeking a replacement,” says Joeita Gupta, APUS Vice-President External and Governing Council member.
Come out Thursday, January 21 at 4:00 pm and have your say!
Visit FightFeesCoalition.blogspot.com for more information
Contacts: Joeita Gupta 416-918-1935 and Richard McKergow 416-659-2235
1/19/2010
12/04/2009
ABOLISH THE CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT
Please use this sample letter as a guideline to create your own effective personalized letter to the administration calling for the abolition of UofT's Code of Student Conduct. Also, please sign our online petition which you can find on this page under Links and Resources.
SAMPLE LETTER: CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT
Jill Matus
Office of the Vice-Provost, Students
University of Toronto
27 King's College Circle, Room 221
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 1A1
416-978-3870
vp.students@utoronto.ca
Dear Jill Matus,
We are writing to you today because of many concerns surrounding the University of Toronto’s Code of Student Conduct. We realize that the Code is in the process of undergoing an administrative update and it is necessary to reflect on the efficacy of this Code for the university community.
The University has used the Code many times to silence dissent on campus. In 1998 the administration used the Code against a disabled racialized student who challenged the University of Toronto for not accommodating his/her health needs. When the student alleged that this lack of cooperation was because of racist and discriminatory attitudes within the administration, the response was to seek expulsion for the student under the Code of Student Conduct. Ultimately, the university administrators, many of whom are white, believed that the student’s criticisms constituted vexatious conduct.
The Code was once again used in 2000 during the T.A. strike against members of the bargaining team. In 2002, the Code was updated to reflect changes in internet use and accompanying infractions, according to the administration. On this occasion the administration pushed through dual prosecution – someone could be charged under both the Code and criminal law. When students protested these changes to the Code many were given threats, including student leaders. In 2008 the Code was used against the ‘Fight Fees 14’ for allegedly participating in a peaceful sit-in. These fourteen students, staff, and allies were part of a larger group that was protesting fee increases. The criminal charges were dropped, stayed for withdrawn for all fourteen by September 2009 but for some it is not clear whether accompanying investigations under the Code still persist. The case of the ‘Fight Fees 14’ made it clear to the community that the university uses the Code to criminalize dissent. The community, including numerous student groups, unions, and 119 professors, has extended its support for the ‘Fight Fees 14’. In 2009 two students were threatened with misconduct for promoting EnviroFest by painting handprints on the sidewalk using washable and non-toxic paint.
The University of Toronto’s own purpose statement indicates that
Within the unique university context, the most crucial of all human rights are the rights of freedom of speech, academic freedom, and freedom of research. And we affirm that these rights are meaningless unless they entail the right to raise deeply disturbing questions and provocative challenges to the cherished beliefs of society at large and of the university itself.
The Code is meant to protect members of the university community but its application has situated students as subject to a different set of rules whereby academic penalties are applied for non-academic “offences”. It creates a climate of stifling dissent from students at the University of Toronto. The Code of Conduct has been used as a tool of authority with which to bludgeon student activists. This serves to diminish opportunities for real engagement with the University’s governance processes as it situates the students involved as criminals.
We ask that the University repeals the Code of Student Conduct which criminalizes dissent on campus, dismisses students’ rights and negates the University’s own purpose statement. Instead, the implementation of a Human Rights Code or a Student Bill of Rights would be worthwhile.
At the University Affairs Board meeting on November 3, 2009 you made it clear that the Code would be scrapped in the coming months if there was widespread opposition to it. Through this letter, we the [executive members] of [organization] on behalf of [x number of students] call on the University of Toronto to abolish the Code of Student Conduct.
Sincerely,
Name Date
CC:
APUS (supportapus@gmail.com)
President David Naylor (president@utoronto.ca)
SAMPLE LETTER: CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT
Jill Matus
Office of the Vice-Provost, Students
University of Toronto
27 King's College Circle, Room 221
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 1A1
416-978-3870
vp.students@utoronto.ca
Dear Jill Matus,
We are writing to you today because of many concerns surrounding the University of Toronto’s Code of Student Conduct. We realize that the Code is in the process of undergoing an administrative update and it is necessary to reflect on the efficacy of this Code for the university community.
The University has used the Code many times to silence dissent on campus. In 1998 the administration used the Code against a disabled racialized student who challenged the University of Toronto for not accommodating his/her health needs. When the student alleged that this lack of cooperation was because of racist and discriminatory attitudes within the administration, the response was to seek expulsion for the student under the Code of Student Conduct. Ultimately, the university administrators, many of whom are white, believed that the student’s criticisms constituted vexatious conduct.
The Code was once again used in 2000 during the T.A. strike against members of the bargaining team. In 2002, the Code was updated to reflect changes in internet use and accompanying infractions, according to the administration. On this occasion the administration pushed through dual prosecution – someone could be charged under both the Code and criminal law. When students protested these changes to the Code many were given threats, including student leaders. In 2008 the Code was used against the ‘Fight Fees 14’ for allegedly participating in a peaceful sit-in. These fourteen students, staff, and allies were part of a larger group that was protesting fee increases. The criminal charges were dropped, stayed for withdrawn for all fourteen by September 2009 but for some it is not clear whether accompanying investigations under the Code still persist. The case of the ‘Fight Fees 14’ made it clear to the community that the university uses the Code to criminalize dissent. The community, including numerous student groups, unions, and 119 professors, has extended its support for the ‘Fight Fees 14’. In 2009 two students were threatened with misconduct for promoting EnviroFest by painting handprints on the sidewalk using washable and non-toxic paint.
The University of Toronto’s own purpose statement indicates that
Within the unique university context, the most crucial of all human rights are the rights of freedom of speech, academic freedom, and freedom of research. And we affirm that these rights are meaningless unless they entail the right to raise deeply disturbing questions and provocative challenges to the cherished beliefs of society at large and of the university itself.
The Code is meant to protect members of the university community but its application has situated students as subject to a different set of rules whereby academic penalties are applied for non-academic “offences”. It creates a climate of stifling dissent from students at the University of Toronto. The Code of Conduct has been used as a tool of authority with which to bludgeon student activists. This serves to diminish opportunities for real engagement with the University’s governance processes as it situates the students involved as criminals.
We ask that the University repeals the Code of Student Conduct which criminalizes dissent on campus, dismisses students’ rights and negates the University’s own purpose statement. Instead, the implementation of a Human Rights Code or a Student Bill of Rights would be worthwhile.
At the University Affairs Board meeting on November 3, 2009 you made it clear that the Code would be scrapped in the coming months if there was widespread opposition to it. Through this letter, we the [executive members] of [organization] on behalf of [x number of students] call on the University of Toronto to abolish the Code of Student Conduct.
Sincerely,
Name Date
CC:
APUS (supportapus@gmail.com)
President David Naylor (president@utoronto.ca)
9/10/2009
CAMPUS ACTIVISTS’ CHARTER RIGHTS WERE VIOLATED, JUDGE RULES
Charges Against ‘Fight Fees 2’ Are Stayed!
For Immediate Release: September 10, 2009
Toronto - In a significant victory for University of Toronto students, all criminal charges have been stayed against campus advocates Chris Ramsaroop and Oriel Varga in relation to a peaceful sit-in on March 2008. Thursday’s decision, by Ontario Court of Justice Judge Paul Reinhardt, is the outcome of a Charter of Rights and Freedoms challenge based on the right to be tried within a reasonable time (section 11 b).
Varga and Ramsaroop, known as the Fight Fees 2 were the remaining of the 14 students and their allies criminally charged after a peaceful sit-in against fee increases on March 20, 2008. Broad based community support by unions, students and over a hundred professors had decried the
U of T's blatant attempt to criminalize dissent on campus.
Joeita Gupta, U of T Governor and VP External of the Association of Part-Time Undergraduate Students, observes,
“This is a precedent-setting decision. It affirms our Charter Rights, making it clear that trumped-up charges can't be handed out to student leaders as a strategy to silence dissenting opinions and tie-up our advocates in lengthy and expensive legal battles. I hope this will be a strong statement to the University that such violations of academic freedom and our Charter Rights will not be tolerated on campus.”
Twelve of the original "Fight Fees 14" have also had their charges withdrawn or stayed, or have signed peace bonds limiting their right to protest on campus. But the two remaining accused, both of whom are community advocates at U of T and former University governors, refused to sign away their Charter Rights to make the charges and Code of Student Conduct investigation go away.
Justice Paul Reinhardt's decision states,
“The total delay in this case from the date of arrest 25 April 2008, until the proposed trial date of 28 September 2009, is over seventeen months, well beyond the constitutionally permitted standard for a case of this kind and with these facts.” (Pg 8, Section [47])
The charges were laid after the University of Toronto threatened the students with Code of Student Conduct investigations. From today’s success, the Fight Fees Coalition is looking forward to continuing the fight against the Code of Student Conduct proceedings. The Code is largely viewed as a means of criminalizing outspoken students. The Coalition will also continue its work towards the elimination of tuition fees. With the overwhelming support received, the University has only emboldened the movement against their unilateral tuition and ancillary fee increases. Today’s victory proves that not only will trumped-up charges not stop student resistance, but will make student resistance stronger.
More information at FightFeesCoalition.blogspot.com
Contact: Joeita Gupta 416∙918∙1935
-30-
BACKGROUND:
Oriel Varga is currently Executive Director of the Association of Part-time Undergraduate Students (APUS) and was a U of T Governor (2004-05). She has advocated for student rights at
U of T for a decade, taking part in the Justice for Dr. Chun campaign and organizing the Free University of Toronto.
Chris Ramsaroop is Outreach Organizer at APUS and volunteers for Justice for Migrant Workers (J4MW) where he advocates on behalf of migrant and undocumented workers. He is past President of numerous student unions at U of T (APUS SAC, and executive member of ASSU), and served on the University Governing Council (2002-2004).
Both Varga and Ramsaroop graduated with their Masters degree in June 2008.
The criminal charges stayed Sept 10, 2009 included: forcible confinement, mischief to property, and forcible detainer.
For Immediate Release: September 10, 2009
Toronto - In a significant victory for University of Toronto students, all criminal charges have been stayed against campus advocates Chris Ramsaroop and Oriel Varga in relation to a peaceful sit-in on March 2008. Thursday’s decision, by Ontario Court of Justice Judge Paul Reinhardt, is the outcome of a Charter of Rights and Freedoms challenge based on the right to be tried within a reasonable time (section 11 b).
Varga and Ramsaroop, known as the Fight Fees 2 were the remaining of the 14 students and their allies criminally charged after a peaceful sit-in against fee increases on March 20, 2008. Broad based community support by unions, students and over a hundred professors had decried the
U of T's blatant attempt to criminalize dissent on campus.
Joeita Gupta, U of T Governor and VP External of the Association of Part-Time Undergraduate Students, observes,
“This is a precedent-setting decision. It affirms our Charter Rights, making it clear that trumped-up charges can't be handed out to student leaders as a strategy to silence dissenting opinions and tie-up our advocates in lengthy and expensive legal battles. I hope this will be a strong statement to the University that such violations of academic freedom and our Charter Rights will not be tolerated on campus.”
Twelve of the original "Fight Fees 14" have also had their charges withdrawn or stayed, or have signed peace bonds limiting their right to protest on campus. But the two remaining accused, both of whom are community advocates at U of T and former University governors, refused to sign away their Charter Rights to make the charges and Code of Student Conduct investigation go away.
Justice Paul Reinhardt's decision states,
“The total delay in this case from the date of arrest 25 April 2008, until the proposed trial date of 28 September 2009, is over seventeen months, well beyond the constitutionally permitted standard for a case of this kind and with these facts.” (Pg 8, Section [47])
The charges were laid after the University of Toronto threatened the students with Code of Student Conduct investigations. From today’s success, the Fight Fees Coalition is looking forward to continuing the fight against the Code of Student Conduct proceedings. The Code is largely viewed as a means of criminalizing outspoken students. The Coalition will also continue its work towards the elimination of tuition fees. With the overwhelming support received, the University has only emboldened the movement against their unilateral tuition and ancillary fee increases. Today’s victory proves that not only will trumped-up charges not stop student resistance, but will make student resistance stronger.
More information at FightFeesCoalition.blogspot.com
Contact: Joeita Gupta 416∙918∙1935
-30-
BACKGROUND:
Oriel Varga is currently Executive Director of the Association of Part-time Undergraduate Students (APUS) and was a U of T Governor (2004-05). She has advocated for student rights at
U of T for a decade, taking part in the Justice for Dr. Chun campaign and organizing the Free University of Toronto.
Chris Ramsaroop is Outreach Organizer at APUS and volunteers for Justice for Migrant Workers (J4MW) where he advocates on behalf of migrant and undocumented workers. He is past President of numerous student unions at U of T (APUS SAC, and executive member of ASSU), and served on the University Governing Council (2002-2004).
Both Varga and Ramsaroop graduated with their Masters degree in June 2008.
The criminal charges stayed Sept 10, 2009 included: forcible confinement, mischief to property, and forcible detainer.
7/31/2009
Support remaining 'Fight Fees 2'
Court to hear Motion on Violation of Charter rights
Community Release - Toronto
Rally at Old City Hall
Wednesday, August 5th, 10:00 a.m.
I will not waive my own Charter Rights because of charges that clearly violate our basic and fundamental rights to freedom of expression and academic freedom. This matter should long ago have been thrown out by the Courts. The fact that over a year has passed without full disclosure and without a fair trial adds substantially to the growing list of Charter violations.
The community has overwhelmingly supported the Fight Fees 14. Students, organizations, unions, and over 115 professors thus far, have expressed their condemnation of the U of T regarding this blatant attempt to criminalize and silence dissent.
Joeita Gupta, Vice-President External of APUS and a student governor says,
Recently, U of T has pushed through Flat fees, which will mean those previously defined as part-time will witness a 66% fee increase. We need to stand up against fee hikes and the fundamental right to fight for access and justice on campus, and do so without the threat of police persecution.
The court date has finally been set for September 28-Oct 2, 2009. Supporters will come together on August 5th to stand in solidarity with the Fight Fees 2. Join us
and prove to UofT that criminalizing dissent will not silence opposition !
More information at http://fightfeescoalition.blogspot.com Contact: Joeita Gupta 416 918-1935
- 30 -
6/18/2009
Fight Fees Coalition Meeting
Letters of support keep rolling in from professors and unions with strong messages:
"The Code of Conduct should not be used as a tool of authority with
which to bludgeon student activists. This action also serves to
further diminish the core issues at stake on March 20, which were
protection against fee increases and opportunities for real engagement
with the University’s governance processes." - CUPE 3902
The growing support is fabulous and we need to continue our important
work. The University has been threatening other students with
investigations under the Code of Student Conduct and we cannot let
this happen. As two of the alleged participants are still facing
criminal charges and their court date is quickly approaching in early
fall we need to organize and raise awareness about UofT’s tactics of
criminalizing dissent on campus.
Please come to the next Fight Fees Coalition meeting for updates and
to discuss our next steps.
Date: Thursday July 16th
Time: 5:00 pm
Location: CUPE 3907 office: 252 Bloor Street West (OISE building), Room 8-104.
Sincerely,
Fight Fees Coalition
"The Code of Conduct should not be used as a tool of authority with
which to bludgeon student activists. This action also serves to
further diminish the core issues at stake on March 20, which were
protection against fee increases and opportunities for real engagement
with the University’s governance processes." - CUPE 3902
The growing support is fabulous and we need to continue our important
work. The University has been threatening other students with
investigations under the Code of Student Conduct and we cannot let
this happen. As two of the alleged participants are still facing
criminal charges and their court date is quickly approaching in early
fall we need to organize and raise awareness about UofT’s tactics of
criminalizing dissent on campus.
Please come to the next Fight Fees Coalition meeting for updates and
to discuss our next steps.
Date: Thursday July 16th
Time: 5:00 pm
Location: CUPE 3907 office: 252 Bloor Street West (OISE building), Room 8-104.
Sincerely,
Fight Fees Coalition
5/12/2009
Flat Fees Rally, May 20th
The Governing Council will meet at University of Toronto at Mississauga (UTM) on Wednesday May 20 at 4:30 p.m. to vote on the Flat Fees proposal which will increase tuition fees by 66%. Join us at UTM to get this undemocratic proposal shut down! Buses will be leaving from the St. George campus at 2 p.m. from 100 Devonshire Place (1 Block East of St.George Street & 1 Block South of Bloor). The Rally begins at 4 pm at UTM, South Building.
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