Today, Queen’s students are gathering on campus to participate in a climate change rally and many staff and faculty will join them. Institutions of higher education have the capacity to affect great change, to be places where ideas can be discussed freely and issues of the day debated. Our students are using their voices to bring to the world’s attention one of the greatest challenges of our time. I both applaud and deeply respect their protest.

This morning, a racist, homophobic, and threatening poster was discovered attached to the door of a common room in one of our student residence buildings. There is no place at Queen’s for racism, hatred, or threats of violence as expressed in this poster.

I will not give voice to the message by repeating any of the language it contained. Suffice it to say it was a cowardly violation of human rights and the dignity of individuals, and sought to intimidate and foster hate toward, and fear in, Indigenous and Queer identified members of our Queen’s family.

The following is a letter from Principal and Vice-Chancellor Patrick Deane to all students at Queen’s:

Dear students,

This weekend will see thousands of Queen’s alumni and friends return to campus for our annual Homecoming celebrations. I hope you can join in the festivities and share in the spirit and energy of this quintessential Queen’s event.

Queen’s University is mourning the loss of one of its students who was on board the plane that crashed in Iran on Wednesday.

Amir Moradi was enrolled in the Faculty of Arts and Science. Queen's contacted the family to offer support and condolences.

The university has recently learned that despite their best efforts, Kingston Police have been unable to identify the perpetrator or perpetrators of the racist and homophobic incident in Chown Hall last October. No charges have been laid and the police now regard the file as closed unless new information presents itself.

Dear all members of Queen’s University,

The current outbreak of novel coronavirus is raising concerns across the globe. While it is understandable that in some circumstances people may respond with fear, it is always important, especially in a university, to make decisions based on information and facts. At Queen’s, we are monitoring the evolving situation very carefully and are being guided by experts in the field. At this time, the health risk to our community from coronavirus remains low. 

On behalf of Queen’s University, I wish to convey our deepest sympathies on the presumed loss of six Canadian Armed Forces members in the recent crash of the military Cyclone helicopter in the Ionian Sea.

On February 19, 2020, Queen’s University released Steve Boyd from his role as track and cross-country coach. Mr. Boyd held this volunteer position for 10 years. During his time with the University, Mr. Boyd worked with many student athletes and helped the track and cross-country programs achieve considerable success.

I have just been made aware that a number of flags hanging outside the Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre have been vandalized. Representing the Indigenous communities from which many Queen’s students come, and including the rainbow flag that celebrates LGBTQ+ members of our university family, these flags were hung last year in the wake of, and in a statement against, racism and homophobia in the Chown Hall residence.

Dear Queen’s students,

This is the time of year when the principal would normally send out a welcome letter. In many ways, this is just such a letter, but these are unusual times and we are doing things differently this year. We are pleased to see some students have arrived in Kingston. You are important, integral members of the Kingston community and it is nice to have you back.