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Violent incident on UW campus

Violent incident on UW campus

June 29, 2023

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Dear Laurier community,

I am writing to express my shock and sadness at the senseless act of violence that took place yesterday at the University of Waterloo.

Three individuals in a Philosophy 202 – Gender Issues class were stabbed by an assailant. The victims were taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries and the suspect is now in custody.

This is a traumatic incident for our friends at UW and for our community here at Laurier. We are here to support our UW colleagues at this time. While information is still coming in about this event, the apparent targeting of a gender issues class is very troubling.

University campuses should be places where people can come together to learn and share knowledge, and feel safe doing so. People should never feel unsafe engaging in scholarship.

I understand that many in our community will feel shaken and fearful from this event. I want to assure you that Laurier, like all universities, has systems in place to prevent and respond to incidents of violence. Special Constable Service regularly patrol both of our campuses and are available on-call.

For those needing support, I encourage you to reach out to avpedi@wlu.ca. Vanessa Oliver, interim associate vice-president: equity, diversity and inclusion, can connect people to appropriate supports. There is a full list of resources below.

Our thoughts are with the victims and the UW community at this time.

Sincerely,

Deborah MacLatchy



The threat of violence can have a significant impact on the university community. Laurier offers a range of supports to students, staff and faculty. These can be accessed through the following resources:

  • The Student Wellness Centres: 519.884.0710 x3146 or wellness@wlu.ca
  • Gendered and Sexual Violence Prevention and Supports: 519.884.0710 x4847 or svinfo@wlu.ca
  • Office of Human Rights and Conflict Management: 519.884.0710 x3322 or humanrights@wlu.ca
  • Homewood Health EFAP, call 24/7/365 toll-free (English): 1.800.663.1142
  • Urgent After-Hours Care Victim Services (after-hours number): 519.570.5143
  • Here 24/7: 1.844.437.3247
  • Delton Glebe Counselling Centre: 519.884.3305 or glebecentre@wlu.ca
  • Laurier Human Resources: 519.884.0710 x2007
  • Good2Talk Helpline: 1.866.925.5454 or text GOOD2TALKON to 686868 (Ontario’s 24/7 helpline for postsecondary students)
  • Laurier's Special Constable Service: 519.885.3333
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