In a significant move, McGill University has announced the termination of its relationship with the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU).
In a letter to students on Monday afternoon, Angela Campbell, the Interim Deputy Provost for Student Life and Learning, cited the SSMU’s actions to allow a vote for students to “strike in support of Palestine Liberation” writing, the SSMU “tacitly supported a three-day strike that further divided a campus community already deeply cleaved and hurting.” 72% of students who voted were in support of the strike.
The decision comes under the framework of the existing Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), which allows either party to end the relationship following an attempt at mediation. The University has stated it will engage in this process in good faith.
In the letter to students, Campbell acknowledged the partnership’s legacy and praised several current SSMU leaders for their sincere efforts and collaboration with the administration. The SSMU has long been a central body in representing McGill’s undergraduate students and has provided services that are aimed at engaging students and improving campus life.
Reactions from students have been pouring in. In a brief interview minutes after the letter was sent out, AUS Arts Senator Anzhu Wei expressed his dissatisfaction with McGill’s move. He told The Bull & Bear, “It’s ridiculous. All of this comes after the strike with McGill saying the SSMU is endorsing violence. The SSMU is very clear in its communications to students; they wanted the strike to remain peaceful. The SSMU did not endorse vandalism.” In a letter to students on April 2nd, the SSMU wrote, “The SSMU and the strike organizers are committed to peaceful, lawful and respectful activities during this strike, period.
Further, Wei expresses his disdain saying, “It is clear that McGill does not support rights to assembly. The administration has a history of threatening the SSMU.”
By terminating the MOA, McGill University throws many established student services into jeopardy. Under the MOA, the SSMU can offer essential services to students, anything from managing student clubs to collecting levies to the menstrual products in McGill bathrooms to the occupation and use of the SSMU building. In addition, the SSMU plays a vital role in the establishment and operations of the student bar Gertz.
The mediation process between McGill University and the SSMU will now begin, possibly yielding a new kind of MOA — one that could look drastically different from what McGill students are used to.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
