U of T prez stands up for academic freedom in offer to campus campers

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The University of Toronto says it will listen to student concerns but those currently running an encampment on school grounds won’t dictate any outcomes.

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On day 22 of the occupation of the grounds at King’s College Circle, University President Meric Gertler issued a statement about his offer to the students taking part in the occupation.

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The school Gertler said would strike a committee to review the demand the school divest itself of any financial ties to Israel in accordance with U of T’s existing policy. The message released to the school community however made it clear, U of T has the final say on any decision, the campers can simply submit their point of view.

On disclosing current investments held by the university, Gertler has offered a working group “to consider options for disclosure and increased transparency related to the University’s investments.” A report would be delivered to recommendations by mid-July with Gertler responding within three weeks.

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Again, there was no commitment to deliver on what the campers consider a key demand.

“Disclose, divest, we will not stop, we will not rest,” the campers have been chanting for three weeks now.

Instead of getting disclosure or divestment, they’ve been offered a committee and a working group. This is how bureaucracies make people forget about things: they strike committees, form working groups, and bore most normal people into moving on.

The campers at U of T and other campuses across Canada and around the world aren’t normal people though. These are fanatics, activists, people who wake up daily thinking of ways to force their viewpoint on the world from a position of weakness.

The administration is finally showing some strength on this issue after three weeks of weakness and appeasement.

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“The University will not terminate any partnerships with Israeli universities or attempt to curtail scholars’ academic freedom in any way,” Gertler said in response to the third demand to cut ties with Israeli universities and academics.

“The University rejects calls for cutting ties with international partner institutions or engaging in academic boycotts because these actions would be at odds with our commitment to academic freedom, the unfettered global circulation of people and ideas, and advancing understanding by fostering collaboration and dialogue.”

Gertler said the offer on the table is up for consideration by students in the protest for the next 24 hours. For the university to move forward, they are calling for the encampment to clear the grounds and not set up in any other part of campus.

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“Should an agreement not be reached, the University will take further action,” Gertler said.

The early indications online are not promising for the campers accepting this deal.

U of T Occupy for Palestine, the official social media account for the protest movement, was dismissive of the offer and Gertler shortly after the offer was made public and emailed to the student body.

“Today is day 22 and the start of the 4th week of the People’s Circle for Palestine. Our boy Meric sent this email to all @uoft students today. How f—ing dare he? There is nothing peaceful or sustainable about investing in genocide,” the account posted to X.

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The reference to peaceful and sustainable was from Gertler’s open letter looking for resolution to the encampment.

Sait Simsek, a U of T student who has taken part in the protests, falsely and foolishly claimed Gertler had threatened violence.

“This encampment will stay. If one is destroyed, another will arise. As a U of T student, I am willing and ready to be arrested,” Simsek posted online.

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Don’t expect a resolution on Friday. Gertler said that he is giving the campers 24 hours to consider his offer and that he would update the school community again on Monday.

The defiance we are seeing in statements already will likely harden over the weekend among the hardcore supporters.

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