The Ottawa Jewish Community Applauds

Carleton University Report

(October 10, 2012 - OTTAWA)  

Today, Carleton University released the findings of its Commission on Inter-Cultural, Inter-Religious and Inter-Racial Relations. The Commission, formed two years ago by Carleton President Dr. Roseann O'Reilly Runte, analyzed the experiences of various communities at Carleton and included a survey of students, faculty, and staff - the results of which revealed that Jewish students reported the highest levels of negative treatment on campus.

"We applaud President Runte's bold initiative in launching this study, and we look forward to seeing its recommendations implemented for the benefit of all students," said Zane Colt of Hillel Ottawa. "Our position remains that this has nothing to do with academic debate on the Middle East. Rather, this is about aggressive tactics that poison the environment in which those debates flourish - including breach of campus codes, harassment, and intimidation - used by a marginal group of anti-Israel activists. 

The report further highlights challenges posed by some faculty misusing their role as trusted academic authorities to promote a one-sided, political message."

"These activities are entirely at odds with the atmosphere of respect and tolerance that Carleton strives to maintain for students of all backgrounds. However, Carleton is hardly an exception in facing this challenge - every Canadian campus stands to learn something from the Commission's report," said Jonathan Freedman, past Chair of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa and Local Chair of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs. 

"If anything, Carleton can serve as a model for universities across the country struggling to preserve civility on campus - not just regarding the Middle East, but when it comes to various hot-button social and political issues."