WUFA's Statement on the University's Agreement with the Liberation Zone Team and UWSA

On July 11, 2024, WUFA's President, Pierre Boulos, wrote to the WUFA membership regarding the agreement made between the Liberation Zone Team/UWSA and University Administration:

Colleagues,

As many of you have heard, the students in the Liberation Zone Team (the student encampment), the University of Windsor Students Alliance (UWSA), and the University Administration have reached an agreement.  (The text of the agreement can be found here.) WUFA is pleased that a resolution, through civil discourse, was reached.  This marks an important step forward.  The agreements with the two student groups affirm Responsible Investment and directs investment fund managers to ensure that University funds are ethically and responsibly invested.  The agreements also affirm the Administration’s commitment to expand the Scholars at Risk program. While not taking a stand on the issue of genocide, the University Administration commits to issue a statement reaffirming its commitment to condemning violations of fundamental human rights worldwide and send a letter to governments advocating for ceasefire, anti-racism efforts and increased humanitarian aid.  In the spirit of Academic Freedom, WUFA members engaged in research and collaboration with Israeli colleagues will not be affected by these agreements.  The University, however, will promote and re-establish relations with Palestinian Universities.  Of crucial importance, the University Administration will annually disclose all direct and indirect/pooled investments, and the content of those indirect/pooled funds that involve public companies.

WUFA commends the parties on reaching these agreements.  WUFA did have an advocacy role in the process and would like to recognize the efforts of the students who engaged in meaningful discussion with administrators.  WUFA takes comfort in seeing the students we teach address and critically engage with important and existential issues.  WUFA will continue to monitor and hold the administration responsible for undertaking the establishment of anti-Palestinian racism and antisemitism training and education. This training and education will be recommended for faculty, staff, and students on an annual basis and will be mandatory for the Executive Leadership Team of the University Administration and the Board of Governors members.  WUFA looks forward to the work its own Palestine Solidarity Committee will undertake in the coming months. 

Enshrined in our own Collective Agreement is the Principle of Academic Freedom.  WUFA is opposed to any form of oppression and discrimination, and defends our members’ rights to pursue their own scholarship, without being subjected to any form of racism including antisemitism or anti-Palestinian racism.

With kind wishes,

Pierre

Dr. Pierre Boulos,
President,
Windsor University Faculty Association