Encampment update ‑ July 30

To our Dalhousie Community,

We are writing today to update you on the status of the encampment on Studley Quad and to let you know what events took place that led to the closure of our Halifax campuses today.

After a significant period of engagement with demonstrators and student leaders through the duration of the encampment, we released a summary of our institutional commitments. 

July 19: Encampment on Studley Quad - update

What had been an established tone of respectful engagement shifted significantly. On Tuesday, July 23, members of the encampment entered the foyer of the Henry Hicks Building to hold a press conference. Following that press conference, a group of demonstrators communicated their intention to occupy the building. They brought sleeping bags and refused to leave, resulting in some colleagues who work in the Hicks building feeling their workplaces had become unsafe and making them afraid to leave their offices to go home at the end of the day. A couple of hours later, after the arrival of the Halifax Regional Police, the demonstrators vacated the building.

On Friday, July 26, a Notice of Trespass was delivered to encampment participants, instructing them to vacate the encampment and remove all objects and personal belongings by 7 p.m. on Sunday, July 28. Members of the encampment did not comply with the notice. Following an effort to remove tents and other items Monday morning, they erected barriers, restricting access to the front entrance of the Hicks building.

Just after 3 p.m. Monday, the encampment participants relocated to the Kenneth C. Rowe Management Building, where they occupied the lobby and sought out, harassed, and intimidated individuals working and studying in the building. We welcome peaceful, respectful dialogue and debate; however, harassment and intimidation will not be tolerated.

Halifax Regional Police were called to the Rowe building by Dal Security and with their assistance, the building was cleared of protesters and the remaining tents were removed from the Studley Quad after the end of regular business hours.

As previously shared, Halifax campuses will remain closed today. The university will reopen as usual tomorrow, July 31, including all camps and activities.

Yesterday was a taxing and emotional day for many members of our Dalhousie community and those who use our campus facilities. Dalhousie is a space of learning and a workplace where people should not be subjected to experiences that leave them feeling physically and psychologically unsafe. Enormous thanks to the teams across Dalhousie Security Services, Student Affairs, Facilities Management, and others for their contributions, along with each of you who contributed in any way during this time.

We remain committed to constructive engagement and emphasize that fostering a community where people can listen, learn, and thrive, requires navigating hard things together in respectful ways. We will continue to work with our student leaders in carrying out shared commitments over the coming months and to engage with and listen to members of our community who are deeply committed to our campuses being a welcoming place for all.

Sincerely,

Kim Brooks
President & Vice-Chancellor

Rick Ezekiel
Vice-Provost Student Affairs

Dalhousie University operates in the unceded territories of the Mi’kmaw, Wolastoqey, and Peskotomuhkati Peoples. These sovereign nations hold inherent rights as the original peoples of these lands, and we each carry collective obligations under the Peace and Friendship Treaties. Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 recognizes and affirms Aboriginal and Treaty rights in Canada.

We recognize that African Nova Scotians are a distinct people whose histories, legacies and contributions have enriched that part of Mi’kma’ki known as Nova Scotia for over 400 years.