On behalf of Dalhousie University, I want to express my deep disappointment and concern with reports of offensive comments shared in a social media group about female students in Dalhousie’s Faculty of Dentistry.
Quite simply, the language and conversation on the Facebook page in question is entirely unacceptable and deeply disturbing. As members of the university community we have a clear responsibility to ensure that the university’s working and learning environment is free from harassment.
Over the next 48 hours the university will consider the full range of options available to us to address these serious allegations. Dalhousie will follow an approach that is victim-centred, that focuses on understanding and repairing the harm caused, and that reinforces a safe and respectful environment.
Given the significance of the issue and the anxiety it has caused for our students, we have also made the decision to cancel the remaining fourth-year exams in the Faculty of Dentistry effective immediately. These exams will be rescheduled in January 2015.
Once again, we take this situation very seriously, are fully committed to a fair resolution, and will communicate next steps before the end of this week.
President Richard Florizone