Annual Report on Free Speech Policy: August 1, 2023 to July 31, 2024

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Introduction

We are pleased to provide this report on the implementation of Laurier’s free speech policy framework. The contents of this report cover the period from August 1, 2023 to July 31, 2024.

Policy Updates and Reviews

Laurier has not made any amendments to its free speech policy framework during the reporting period.

In fall 2024, the university will establish a task force to review the free speech policy framework and to make recommendations for developing and/or revising policies, practices, structures and resources to ensure consistency and clarity for all members of the university community.

Events

When a planned event is identified as having potential security concerns, it is referred to Safety, Health, Environment and Risk Management (SHERM) and Special Constable Services (SCS) to determine whether an Event Safety and Security Plan (ESSP) needs to be completed. The ESSP is completed in collaboration with the event organizer(s). When security is necessary to ensure that the event can proceed safely, the event organizer is notified of the incremental, direct costs of providing the security necessary for the event to proceed safely. If the organizer proceeds with the event, security is arranged by the university and the costs of security are invoiced to the event organizer.

To the best of our knowledge, there were no non-curricular events that did not proceed due to security concerns or their related costs during the reporting period.

Questions and Complaints

On the university’s public-facing policy website, the University Secretariat is the main point of contact for questions about policy interpretation. The Secretariat receives inquiries and directs any complaints as appropriate. The Office of Human Rights and Conflict Management receives inquiries and complaints on a wide variety of topics. This office is also responsible for liaising with the Ontario Ombudsman.

Complaints Received in 2023/24

The University received six official free speech complaints between August 1, 2023 and July 31, 2024. All complaints were managed under policy 6.1, Prevention of Harassment, Discrimination, and Sexual Misconduct. Two complaints were deemed to fall outside the scope of the policy and four complaints were resolved informally. No complaints proceeded to formal investigation under the free speech policy framework.

Complaint #1 was filed by a community member to the Office of Human Rights and Conflict Management and was in response to a social media post made by a faculty member related to their political and private perspective on the conflict between Hamas and Israel. The complainant was responded to and advised that they did not have standing to initiate an investigation, as was their request, as they were not a member of the university community.

Complaint #2 was filed by a community member who indicated that his wife had experienced on-line discrimination at the hands of a student as it related to her identity as a Palestinian woman. The individual was directed to have his wife reach out directly to the Office of Human Rights and Conflict Management (OHRCM) if she were a student/staff or faculty member wishing to file a complaint. The individual making the complaint indicated that his wife was not a member of the Laurier community but rather a member of the broader community. The OHRCM assured the individual that the university would be handling the manner internally but could not provide additional information related to the student and the outcome as neither he nor his wife had standing under the internal policy.

Complaint #3 was filed by a collective student group. This complaint asserted that a public statement issued by the university acknowledging the violence in Gaza was pro-Israel and contributed to Islamophobia. Informal resolution options were explored, as per policy, and several meetings between the student group and university administrators were held to explore impact and contemplate additional measures necessary to respond to safety concerns raised. Those conversations also informed future public communications.

Complaint #4 was filed by a student and related to the perceived mishandling of a faculty member who posted on-line political and private opinions about the conflict between Hamas and Israel. The student was directed to the public statement on freedom of expression and informed that there would be no further action against the faculty member in question.

Complaints #5 and #6 were filed by two students wishing to file formal complaints against faculty members who engaged in classroom conversations about the conflict between Hamas and Israel. The OHCRM met with the students, discussed investigation and informal resolution options. The students both chose to have their perspectives shared and requested no further action.

Currently, there is a formal complaint in the process of being resolved. The complaint relates to a faculty member in the context of a classroom discussion. As this is on open complaint details related to the complaint will not be shared; this complaint will be included in next year’s report.

Please note that only two of the above complaints are included in the summary table below, because only two complaints related to curricular or non-curricular events.

The OHCRM is aware of one complaint forwarded to the Provincial Ombuds for review. The complaint was closed after two meetings between the OHCRM and the Ombuds office.

Wilfrid Laurier University considers these complaints and their handling as examples of sound application of the free speech policy framework to protect and promote free speech across our campuses.

Summary of Events and Complaints

¹ Non-curricular events include, for example, invited speakers, sporting events, rallies, conferences, etc., as opposed to regular events held as part of an academic program or course.

² One complaint was forwarded and the file was closed following review.