Update to the community July 11

Dear VIU community, 

Since its inception on May 1, the Palestine Solidarity Encampment (PSE) by the Students for Palestine Committee (SPC) on our Nanaimo campus has resulted in unprecedented challenges to our university community, including students, faculty, and administration as well as guests on campus. As we prepare to resume the fall semester, we are committed to ensuring our campus is a welcoming environment for our returning students and faculty. 

VIU had been hopeful the encampment could be resolved through dialogue between the university and student participants. It has become evident that it is not realistic to continue to anticipate that the encampment can be resolved in this way. At the same time, the university must prioritize the safety and peace of all persons on campus.

Today, we delivered a Trespass Notice to the PSE/SPC requesting that they vacate and dismantle their encampment by 8 am on July 15.  

This Trespass Notice as well as the one issued on May 2, 2024, clearly outlines the following conduct on the university’s campus is prohibited: 

1. Erecting tents or other temporary shelters
2. Camping overnight 
3. Vandalism and theft of university property 
4. Interference, harassment or intimidation of anyone in the university community
5. Disrupting university operations

Through this new Trespass Notice, the university is again giving encampment participants notice under the Trespass Act, R.S.B.C. 2018, c. 3 that they are currently trespassing on the university’s campus by remaining in the encampment. If anyone remains in the encampment after 8 am on July 15, 2024, the university will be forced to take all legal steps necessary to remove them. 

VIU will be commencing a court action seeking damages from encampment participants and injunctive relief if the encampment is not vacated by 8 am on July 15, 2024. We note that the Ontario Superior Court has granted an injunction against the protest encampment at the University of Toronto in the case University of Toronto V. Doe et al 2024. VIU has retained external council to file this court action.

The encampment's presence and recent actions – such as disrupting an exam, occupation of various buildings, and vandalism –prevents us from maintaining the inclusivity and safety we promise to uphold, where everyone can study or work in a secure and respectful environment. Encampment participants have escalated the severity of disruptive activities since its inception. These activities have included: 

• On May 23, the Finance, Audit, and Facilities Committee of the Board of Governors had to relocate their meeting due to significant disruption by encampment members. 
• On June 11, the Provost’s office was occupied by protesters. 
• On June 14, the Campus Store experienced a similar occupation. 
• On June 28, approximately 25 protesters occupied the Student Affairs Building, disrupting an ongoing exam, blockading entry doors, and damaging flags in the International Centre, ultimately necessitating RCMP intervention.  
• On June 29, the Human Resources office was vandalized, and unauthorized access to the secure area of the library was reported.  
• On July 10, in view of VIU security employees, encampment participants vandalized university property, including affixing posters to walls with permanent adhesive and vandalizing the Starbucks sign with red paint.

These incidents have not only disrupted university operations but have also placed a financial burden on our institution and compromised the safety and security of our campus community. 

While we respect the rights to freedom of expression, assembly, and peaceful protest, these rights are not absolute. We continue to commit that should the encampment participants dismantle voluntarily no disciplinary action will be pursued against students or employees involved. If the encampment is vacated on or before July 15, 2024, at 8 am, VIU remains willing to abide by the terms of its most recent settlement proposal: 

1. Investment Working Group and Committee: VIU will convene a working group with equal representation from students, faculty, and staff. This group will develop the terms of reference for an ongoing committee tasked with advising on ethical and sustainable investment and sourcing at Vancouver Island University. 
2. Protest Activity and Security on Campus: VIU will form a committee comprising faculty, students, and administrators to review policies and procedures related to protest activity and security protocols. The committee will make recommendations to help VIU adopt a more modern and inclusive framework for managing protest activities, campus security, and student interactions. 
3. Protection of the Right to Protest: In the spirit of reaching a peaceful resolution to the ongoing encampment, we reaffirm our commitment that students will not be sanctioned for participating in the encampment. Vancouver Island University upholds the values of peaceful protest and the rights to freedom of expression and assembly on our campus. 

We have reminded the encampment participants that, as always, lawful, safe, and peaceful demonstrations without structures, tents and overnight occupation on campus will not be prevented after the encampment is concluded. 

We acknowledge the strain and emotions that this situation has caused within our community over the past several months. Your patience and understanding throughout this process have been greatly appreciated. Together, we remain committed to restoring our campus to an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.

Thank you for your ongoing cooperation and support as we navigate this challenging time. We will continue to update our campus community accordingly.