U of T presents resolution offer to pro-Palestinian emcampment reps

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University of Toronto officials have made an offer they hope those occupying an unauthorized encampment on King’s College Circle won’t refuse.

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Late Thursday afternoon, the university posted what it referred to as a “significant update” from U of T president Meric Gertler.

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An anti-Israel tent encampment has been set up on the university grounds for the past three weeks in protest of the war in Gaza.

Following various meetings and email exchanges between students and administrators, the university on Thursday presented its resolution offer to the students representing those in the encampment.

“From day one, our goal has been to achieve a peaceful and sustainable resolution to the unauthorized encampment,” Gertler said in the message directed at the U of T community.

“The fundamental principle of inclusion — one that extends to physical spaces on our campuses — has been violated,” the president added. “Discrimination and harassment have been experienced on campus by members of our community since the encampment began, with incidents being reported to Toronto Police Service in some cases, and the university addressing concerns directly with student organizers in others.”

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U of T’s offer has been submitted to encampment representatives for consideration within the “next 24 hours.” The offer includes student representatives being invited to the Business Board of Governing Council on June 19 to present their demands.

Upon receipt of the “necessary brief and petition, the university will engage in — and expedite, where possible — a review of the divestment request under the terms and process of the University’s Policy on Social and Political Issues with Respect to University Divestment.”

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The university will provide resources to support the process, and the president will establish an advisory committee to review the brief “in line with the policy,” the memo said, adding it will be chaired by a senior university officer and composed of faculty, staff, students and alumni with “relevant expertise, whose selection minimizes conflicts of interest with respect to the issues relevant to the divestment request.

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Additionally, U of T said that student reps of the encampment group can suggest qualified individuals to be considered for membership on the advisory committee, though the final decision regarding membership will rest with the executive committee of governing council, on the recommendation of the president.

Student reps can make submissions to the committee, which will also consult with experts and other university community members.

The committee will be instructed to “work expeditiously, with the goal of issuing its report and recommendations by no later than the end of October, at which time the president will consider the committee’s report and make a decision on next steps in a “timely manner.”

U of T also said it will strike an expert working group to consider options for disclosure and “increased transparency related to the university’s investments.”

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Additionally, the school said it won’t terminate any partnerships with Israel universities or “attempt to curtail scholars’ academic freedom in any way.”

The offer is conditional on the encampment clearing and not resuming at any campus at the university, U of T added.

“The encampment must end. Our approach remains guided by our effort to balance our shared values, people’s foundational rights and freedoms, and a desire for a peaceful resolution,” Gertler said. “We hope that the representatives will accept our offer. Should an agreement not be reached, the university will take further action.

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