“Private property,” warn the new signs hanging at the entrance to McGill University, which has been closed to the public since the dismantling of a pro-Palestinian encampment. Professors and students denounce this measure, which they consider disproportionate.
The Roddick Gate was closed, Wednesday afternoon. On the other side of the fence, security guards ensured that only McGill University students or employees entered the campus.
Since the dismantling of the pro-Palestinian encampment on July 10, barriers have blocked all entrances to the campus, which is only open to authorized persons between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., according to an internal email obtained by The Press.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
In an internal email to the university community, the administration wrote that the campus will return to normal in the fall.
These measures worry university professors, who consider McGill’s reaction to be disproportionate. “It’s like using an atomic bomb to kill a louse,” exclaims Catherine Leclerc, associate professor in the department of French-language literature, translation and creative studies at McGill University.
In a letter published in The Pressthe professor and her colleague Edward Dunsworth describe the university’s approach as “authoritarian,” which, they say, “seeks to stifle forms of protest that it deems inappropriate” with these security measures.
“We are shocked to see McGill transformed like this […]”We are afraid that some of these measures will continue,” underlines Catherine Leclerc.
An “exaggerated” reaction
According to the University, this partial closure of the campus “gives members of our community […] the time and latitude to let the dust settle, restore our private property and plan for the fall session.”
In an internal email to the university community, the administration wrote that the campus will return to normal in the fall.
This approach, however, outrages many students, including Ève*, who deplores the fact that a public institution like McGill would decide to restrict access to its facilities. “Yes, it is McGill’s private property, but it is still taxpayers’ money that pays for a large part of these measures,” she says.
Security guards are patrolling the campus in greater numbers than before, according to Eve, who says the new security measures are creating a “nervous study environment” for students.
Leïla*, who also studies at McGill, considers the university’s reaction to be “really exaggerated.” “They force us to identify ourselves and put us in an enclosure, when the camp was originally peaceful,” she laments.
The campus was completely closed for days after the encampment was dismantled, but McGill says it has been “gradually reopening” for the past two weeks. “We recognize that this cautious approach is not without some inconvenience,” she adds.
*The students asked to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals.