Queen’s reminds the community that it supports the right to peaceful protests, provided protests and protesters comply with applicable university policies, collective agreements and Canadian laws, and do not interfere with the rights of others to use university property and facilities. Actions such as personal assaults, disruption of university activities, or any other violations of law or university policies which interfere with others’ rights will not be tolerated on campus. 

Recently a group of protesters undertook an aggressive interruption of Senate that ended with an altercation initiated by a protester with a member of Senate. That same week there were break-and-enters at Richardson Hall and Grant Hall. This type of behaviour, in making members of our community feel threatened and unsafe, is unacceptable to the university.  

As a result of the specific disruption of Senate, and with a need to protect the personal safety of all those involved, Principal and Vice-Chancellor Patrick Deane has made the decision to move all Senate meetings to an online-only format for the balance of the calendar year.

The university has published Guidelines on Peaceful Protest at Queen’s to provide helpful information for community members who wish to participate in peaceful protest or other similar events and activities on property that is owned, leased, or occupied by Queen’s University and its affiliates. The guideline document can be found in the University Wide Policy Library.   

The Guidelines and the policies to which they refer, make clear that the following behaviours and actions are not permitted:

Violence: Any form of violence on its property, including violence that might occur during a protest activity.

Excessive Noise: Activities resulting in noise that prevents the speech of invited guests, University members, and others; that obstructs Queen’s University activities from continuing; or noise that negatively impacts those living in Queen’s University residences are not permitted.

Blocking Access: Blocking doorways to buildings or roadways into campus, or otherwise interfering with entry or exit from Queen’s University spaces or property is not allowed.

Intimidation or Harassment: Physical and verbal intimidation or harassment; or impeding others’ basic rights, including free expression, freedom to assemble, and human rights are prohibited. This includes harassing individuals in their cars, offices, homes, at meetings of university governance, or elsewhere.

Posters and Signs: Affixing signs, posters, or flyers (including the use of chalk, marker, paint, and projections) outside designated areas is prohibited under university signage policies and city bylaws.

Health and Safety Risks: Actions that threaten the physical health and safety of others, or that present a threat to security are prohibited.

Discrimination: Using language in chants or recordings, on signs, or otherwise that demeans others based on their age, ancestry or race, ethnicity, place of origin, creed or faith, disability, gender identity or expression, sex, sexual orientation, or other categories in the Ontario Human Rights Code is a form of Discriminatory Harassment involving public behaviour that exceeds the bounds of free expression or academic freedom as these are understood in University policies and is not permitted.

Exclusivity: Restricting entry to event space based on political viewpoint or other criteria is not permitted (Only events that are booked and advertised or promoted as private gatherings can be restricted to invitees only).

Engaging in these prohibited activities can result in consequences under law including arrest and trespass from property, and sanctions under Queen’s University policies up to and including expulsion. 

Queen’s is committed to fostering a climate that encourages free speech and expression on campus and exposure to differing points of view through civil and respectful discourse including peaceful protest.  Hate and discrimination have no place on our campus. We must all work Together Against Hate and to promote safety and respect for every member of our community.