We are deeply troubled by the violent attack that took place on Wednesday at the University of Waterloo. We are thinking today of everyone impacted, and especially those who have been directly affected by this deplorable act.
An assault like this at a nearby university where many of us have close collaborators, colleagues, friends and loved ones, is deeply unsettling. Police believe it was a hate-motivated incident related to gender expression and gender identity, which makes what happened all the more abhorrent. We condemn this horrific act, and we denounce hate and violence in all their forms. We also renew our efforts to continue to build an inclusive and safe environment for all members of the U of T community.
We know that these events can be unsettling and difficult to process. If you are struggling to cope, we want you to know that you do not need to suffer alone. The following resources are available to support you and we encourage you to access them:
Students:
- Mental Health Portal
- My SSP (24/7 support via phone or chat)
Faculty, staff and librarians:
- Employee and Family Assistance Program (available 24/7, 365 days a year) – 1-855-597-2110
Other resources:
We encourage you to support one another at this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Meric S. Gertler
President