Fight Fees Coalition

Activists sue University of Toronto and Toronto Police

2010-10-25T10:51:00.000-07:00

Activists sue University of Toronto and Toronto Police
for Charter violations and wrongful arrests after fee hike protest

Join us to demand accountability at the upcoming U of T Governing Council meeting:

Press Conference: Thursday, October 28th, 3:30 pm
Simcoe Hall (front steps), 27 King’s College Circle, University of Toronto

Two University of Toronto alumni and former UofT Governors have launched a lawsuit against the Governing Council of the University of Toronto, the Toronto Police Services Board, and numerous U of T officials and Toronto police officers for cracking down on peaceful dissent.

In March 2008, a group of students and concerned citizens held a protest at Simcoe Hall, home of U of T’s administrative offices. Toronto Police, in consultation with University of Toronto officials, arrested 14 of those people (dubbed the “Fight Fees 14”), including the Plaintiffs Oriel Varga and Christopher Ramsaroop, and charged them with “forcible confinement” and other serious charges. The two plaintiffs bringing this action, successfully beat their charges under s.11 (b) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (the right to a trial without unreasonable delay), 17 months after charges were laid. To date the charges against all fourteen have been withdrawn, stayed or dropped.

The University of Toronto threatened Varga, Ramsaroop, and many of the “Fight Fees 14” with potential disciplinary measures under the Code of Student Conduct, but these were not pursued after the criminal charges fizzled. Oriel Varga, who is currently a law student at Osgoode Hall Law School, was not even in Simcoe Hall at the time that the “forcible confinement” allegedly occurred. Nevertheless, the police charged her, jailed her, imposed draconian bail conditions, and caused her to be prosecuted, until the judge stayed the criminal charges over a year later.

“I believe the UofT administration and the Toronto police targeted certain student leaders to lay charges against them and send a chilling message that dissent will not be tolerated on campus," said Varga. “In a democratic society ruled by the Charter of Rights, the public must be able to question and critique institutional decisions and practices without being bullied and criminalized by public institutions like a university or the police. They must be held accountable for breaching the Charter that they are supposed to uphold."

In June 2010, the police arrested and imprisoned over a thousand peaceful protestors during the G20 Summit. Varga notes, “Before the police trampled on the public’s Charter rights during the G20 summit, they practiced on us.”

The lawsuit claims that the Defendants breached their fundamental rights and freedoms under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, including their freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, their right to liberty, and their right not to be arbitrarily detained or imprisoned. It also claims damages for conspiracy, malicious prosecution, false arrest and imprisonment, and negligence. Find out more, and show your support this coming Thursday, 3:30 pm, at Simcoe Hall, U of T.

More information at: http://fightfeescoalition.blogspot.com/

BACKGROUNDER
The Fight Fees Coalition

The Fight Fees Coalition was formed to support the "Fight Fees 14." The Coalition continues to organize on issues concerning tuition fees and the Code of Student Conduct, as well as raise funds for the legal defense.

Many student groups, labour organizations, community members and over 100 professors have publicly condemned the University of Toronto and the Toronto Police for their "criminalization of dissent."

The growing list of organizations that have supported the “Fight Fees 14” and this lawsuit include:

Association of Part-Time Undergraduate Students (APUS), University of Toronto
Graduate Students Union (GSU), University of Toronto
University of Toronto Students’ Union (UTSU)
Canadian Federation of Students (National and Ontario)
Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG-Toronto)
Centre for Women and Trans People, University of Toronto
CUPE including 3902, 3906, 1281
Trent Central Students Association (TCSA)
York University Graduate Student Association (GSA)
Laurentian Association of Mature and Part-time Students (LAMPS)
Ryerson Students Association (RSU)
Continuing Education Students Association of Ryerson (CESAR)
Carleton University Graduate Students’ Association

Rally: UofT STUDENTS ARE FED-UP WITH FEE HIKES!

2010-04-05T09:26:00.000-07:00

Join the Rally April 8 at 3:30 PM, Simcoe Hall 27 King’s College Circle

Join us on April 8th to call on governors to make responsible decisions that hold up the University’s mandate to provide quality, affordable education and respect students' rights.

UofT plans to raise tuition by 8% for deregulated professional programs and international students and 4.3% for regulated programs. Last year the University rammed through a 66% tuition increase with the introduction of Flat Fees. At the same time, the University has attempted to cut programs integral to the University, such as the Transitional Year Program, the Disability Studies program, Area Studies, Women Studies, Health Studies, Forestry, and the language programs at UTSC.

In 2008-2009, the University lost over a billion dollars due to risky investments. This is despite the fact that we have been telling them for years to invest in students directly. Students could instead have had free education for numerous years. Students in Ontario already pay the highest tuition in the country and have a combined national student debt of 12 billion dollars. Part-time students are still denied the University’s financial aid guarantee, although they contribute equally to UTAPS funding.

As student unions challenge the University’s draconian policies that are eroding its commitment to access and equity, the UofT is attempting to undermine student’s political power by creating an opt-out union membership. This is a clear attempt at union-busting! The University has no jurisdiction over autonomous student unions and as such must negotiate with these bodies in good faith on all subsequent matters. Moreover, students who have previously challenged fee hikes (i.e. in March 2008) were handed trumped-up criminal charges by the police and were threatened with investigations under the Code of Student Conduct. Although all charges have been dropped to date, this continues to be a shocking reminder of the University’s attempt to intimidate and silence students concerned about increasing fees.

Students have the following demands:
1. Repeal the Flat Fees and no more fee increases!
2. Stop Union Busting - halt any plans for an opt-out of student union membership.
3. Abolish the Code of Student Conduct - this is a tool of repression and a means to stifle dissent.

Come out on Thursday, make some noise and have your say!
There will be speakers, performers and free food at the rally!

Contact: Joeita Gupta (416-918-1935)

2010-01-19T09:11:00.000-08:00

RALLY AT SIMCOE HALL – U of T President David Naylor’s term is expiring in June 2010 and is presently undergoing a review with the scope of a five-year extension. APUS remains dissatisfied with the performance of his administration. We want a fair and equitable campus that extends the funding guarantee to part-time students, more evening classes so students can finish their degrees within a reasonable timeframe, more variety in course selection, affordable child care options on campus, and more public funding of the University. Under David Naylor there has been a blatant corporatization of our campus and risky investments with the endowment fund, which recently suffered 30% losses. Notoriously, his administration is responsible for the introduction of a flat fee for Arts and Science undergraduate students, which apart from being hugely unpopular, comes at a time when programs within A&S are suffering major cuts (including Health Studies, Equity Studies, Disability Studies, Women and Gender Studies and Area Studies). The Transitional Year Program that has long served as an exemplary access program also faces major budget cuts and may see its role significantly diminished. Additionally, following a peaceful sit-in at Simcoe Hall in March 2008, the administration under President Naylor allowed Toronto Police to hand out trumped up charges to 14 members of the University community, based on a U of T investigation. We’ll have speakers, performers, and the popular One Love corn soup to keep everyone warm! Come out and make your voices heard!

DATE: Thursday, January 21
TIME: 4-6 pm
LOCATION: Simcoe Hall, 27 King’s College Circle

STUDENTS PUT U of T PRESIDENT ON TRIAL

2010-01-19T07:30:00.000-08:00

RALLY: JANUARY 21 AT 4:00 PM
University of Toronto, Simcoe Hall, 27 King’s College Circle
Toronto- As Naylor’s term expires in June 2010, the Governing Council conducted a review with the possibility of a five-year extension. The review hurriedly took place the week after winter holidays, wherein there were discussions, largely behind closed doors, as part of an opaque review process. Students and community members dissatisfied with the decisions implemented during David Naylor's term are braving the cold and undertaking their own community based review - out in the open, with music, speakers, performers and hot corn soup!
“Under David Naylor, we have witnessed an unequivocal attack on access and equity. Tuition has skyrocketed with Ontario undergraduates paying the highest fees in Canada. To add insult to injury, the University of Toronto recently decided to charge students a flat fee. This represents a 66% increase for students taking 3 or 3.5 courses if fully implemented in 2011", said APUS President, Jeff Peters.
Yet despite such reckless fee hikes, the University has simultaneously made cutbacks to vital equity programs including Area Studies, the Transitional Year Program, Disability Studies, Women and Gender Studies, Sexual Diversity Studies and many other major programs. The University also faces continued challenges and risks having its role significantly diminished due to debilitating budget cuts and a refusal by the central administration to replace retired faculty. For undergraduates these cuts have meant increasing class sizes, greater reliance on contract teaching staff and a diminished student experience. The reason cited for such irresponsible cutbacks is an endowment loss of up to 30% on account of the economic downturn; yet the administration is not taking responsibility for poor investment choices made under Naylor's leadership.
However, while the University screams poor when it comes to funding equity related programs, Naylor’s administration is prepared to spend tens of millions on corporate expansions to the Rotman School of Management, construction of the Munk Centre’s new Lassonde Mining Building, and elitist high-performance sports venues for the 2015 Pan American Games. These proposed capital projects (primarily the athletics facilities) will mean an inflation of user-fees for students who are already struggling to meet the rising cost of post-secondary education. One such venue, the Centre for High Performance Sport, will even evict the part-time student union, which has yet to be offered alternative space options. This clearly reflects the University’s skewed priorities. Under Naylor’s direction, education – long considered a right – has steadily become a privilege only for those with economic means.
Naylor's administration was also complacent while Toronto Police, based on a university investigation, handed trumped up criminal charges to 14 members of the University community, following a peaceful sit-in at the President’s office in March 2008, to protest a fee increase. To date, all charges have been dropped, stayed or withdrawn. Numerous groups, including countless labour and student groups and over 115 professors, denounced the University’s draconian handling of the situation as a criminalization and silencing of dissent.
“There is a long tradition of student protest on campus. This was an egregious violation of academic freedom, freedom of speech and Charter Rights in the case of the Fight Fees 14 – all values integral to the University community. In light of President Naylor’s less than stellar track record, the question we should be asking is not whether his appointment ought to be renewed rather should we be seeking a replacement,” says Joeita Gupta, APUS Vice-President External and Governing Council member.
Come out Thursday, January 21 at 4:00 pm and have your say!
Visit FightFeesCoalition.blogspot.com for more information
Contacts: Joeita Gupta 416-918-1935 and Richard McKergow 416-659-2235

ABOLISH THE CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT

2009-12-04T11:06:00.000-08:00

Please use this sample letter as a guideline to create your own effective personalized letter to the administration calling for the abolition of UofT's Code of Student Conduct. Also, please sign our online petition which you can find on this page under Links and Resources.

SAMPLE LETTER: CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT

Jill Matus
Office of the Vice-Provost, Students
University of Toronto
27 King's College Circle, Room 221
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 1A1
416-978-3870
vp.students@utoronto.ca

Dear Jill Matus,
We are writing to you today because of many concerns surrounding the University of Toronto’s Code of Student Conduct. We realize that the Code is in the process of undergoing an administrative update and it is necessary to reflect on the efficacy of this Code for the university community.

The University has used the Code many times to silence dissent on campus. In 1998 the administration used the Code against a disabled racialized student who challenged the University of Toronto for not accommodating his/her health needs. When the student alleged that this lack of cooperation was because of racist and discriminatory attitudes within the administration, the response was to seek expulsion for the student under the Code of Student Conduct. Ultimately, the university administrators, many of whom are white, believed that the student’s criticisms constituted vexatious conduct.

The Code was once again used in 2000 during the T.A. strike against members of the bargaining team. In 2002, the Code was updated to reflect changes in internet use and accompanying infractions, according to the administration. On this occasion the administration pushed through dual prosecution – someone could be charged under both the Code and criminal law. When students protested these changes to the Code many were given threats, including student leaders. In 2008 the Code was used against the ‘Fight Fees 14’ for allegedly participating in a peaceful sit-in. These fourteen students, staff, and allies were part of a larger group that was protesting fee increases. The criminal charges were dropped, stayed for withdrawn for all fourteen by September 2009 but for some it is not clear whether accompanying investigations under the Code still persist. The case of the ‘Fight Fees 14’ made it clear to the community that the university uses the Code to criminalize dissent. The community, including numerous student groups, unions, and 119 professors, has extended its support for the ‘Fight Fees 14’. In 2009 two students were threatened with misconduct for promoting EnviroFest by painting handprints on the sidewalk using washable and non-toxic paint.

The University of Toronto’s own purpose statement indicates that

Within the unique university context, the most crucial of all human rights are the rights of freedom of speech, academic freedom, and freedom of research. And we affirm that these rights are meaningless unless they entail the right to raise deeply disturbing questions and provocative challenges to the cherished beliefs of society at large and of the university itself.

The Code is meant to protect members of the university community but its application has situated students as subject to a different set of rules whereby academic penalties are applied for non-academic “offences”. It creates a climate of stifling dissent from students at the University of Toronto. The Code of Conduct has been used as a tool of authority with which to bludgeon student activists. This serves to diminish opportunities for real engagement with the University’s governance processes as it situates the students involved as criminals.
We ask that the University repeals the Code of Student Conduct which criminalizes dissent on campus, dismisses students’ rights and negates the University’s own purpose statement. Instead, the implementation of a Human Rights Code or a Student Bill of Rights would be worthwhile.

At the University Affairs Board meeting on November 3, 2009 you made it clear that the Code would be scrapped in the coming months if there was widespread opposition to it. Through this letter, we the [executive members] of [organization] on behalf of [x number of students] call on the University of Toronto to abolish the Code of Student Conduct.

Sincerely,

Name Date

CC:
APUS (supportapus@gmail.com)
President David Naylor (president@utoronto.ca)

CAMPUS ACTIVISTS’ CHARTER RIGHTS WERE VIOLATED, JUDGE RULES

2009-09-10T12:36:00.000-07:00

Charges Against ‘Fight Fees 2’ Are Stayed!

For Immediate Release: September 10, 2009

Toronto - In a significant victory for University of Toronto students, all criminal charges have been stayed against campus advocates Chris Ramsaroop and Oriel Varga in relation to a peaceful sit-in on March 2008. Thursday’s decision, by Ontario Court of Justice Judge Paul Reinhardt, is the outcome of a Charter of Rights and Freedoms challenge based on the right to be tried within a reasonable time (section 11 b).

Varga and Ramsaroop, known as the Fight Fees 2 were the remaining of the 14 students and their allies criminally charged after a peaceful sit-in against fee increases on March 20, 2008. Broad based community support by unions, students and over a hundred professors had decried the
U of T's blatant attempt to criminalize dissent on campus.

Joeita Gupta, U of T Governor and VP External of the Association of Part-Time Undergraduate Students, observes,

“This is a precedent-setting decision. It affirms our Charter Rights, making it clear that trumped-up charges can't be handed out to student leaders as a strategy to silence dissenting opinions and tie-up our advocates in lengthy and expensive legal battles. I hope this will be a strong statement to the University that such violations of academic freedom and our Charter Rights will not be tolerated on campus.”

Twelve of the original "Fight Fees 14" have also had their charges withdrawn or stayed, or have signed peace bonds limiting their right to protest on campus. But the two remaining accused, both of whom are community advocates at U of T and former University governors, refused to sign away their Charter Rights to make the charges and Code of Student Conduct investigation go away.

Justice Paul Reinhardt's decision states,

“The total delay in this case from the date of arrest 25 April 2008, until the proposed trial date of 28 September 2009, is over seventeen months, well beyond the constitutionally permitted standard for a case of this kind and with these facts.” (Pg 8, Section [47])

The charges were laid after the University of Toronto threatened the students with Code of Student Conduct investigations. From today’s success, the Fight Fees Coalition is looking forward to continuing the fight against the Code of Student Conduct proceedings. The Code is largely viewed as a means of criminalizing outspoken students. The Coalition will also continue its work towards the elimination of tuition fees. With the overwhelming support received, the University has only emboldened the movement against their unilateral tuition and ancillary fee increases. Today’s victory proves that not only will trumped-up charges not stop student resistance, but will make student resistance stronger.

More information at FightFeesCoalition.blogspot.com
Contact: Joeita Gupta 416∙918∙1935
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BACKGROUND:

Oriel Varga is currently Executive Director of the Association of Part-time Undergraduate Students (APUS) and was a U of T Governor (2004-05). She has advocated for student rights at
U of T for a decade, taking part in the Justice for Dr. Chun campaign and organizing the Free University of Toronto.

Chris Ramsaroop is Outreach Organizer at APUS and volunteers for Justice for Migrant Workers (J4MW) where he advocates on behalf of migrant and undocumented workers. He is past President of numerous student unions at U of T (APUS SAC, and executive member of ASSU), and served on the University Governing Council (2002-2004).

Both Varga and Ramsaroop graduated with their Masters degree in June 2008.

The criminal charges stayed Sept 10, 2009 included: forcible confinement, mischief to property, and forcible detainer.

Support remaining 'Fight Fees 2'

2009-07-31T10:56:00.000-07:00

Court to hear Motion on Violation of Charter rights

Community Release - Toronto
Rally at Old City Hall
Wednesday, August 5th, 10:00 a.m.

Seventeen months of delayed justice will be challenged in court on August 5^th. The remaining two of the Fight Fees 14 will present a Charter Challenge on the basis of the right to trial without unreasonable delay. Join us at Old City Hall to send a clear community statement in support of Charter Rights and Justice.

The Toronto police, working with the University of Toronto Administration, have pressed charges in what appears to be an attempt to criminalize dissent and discourage students from resisting unreasonable fee hikes. More than a year ago, 14 people, including students and allies were criminally charged for alleged involvement in a sit-in against fee increases at the University of Toronto.

Over a year later some pieces of relevant evidence (disclosure) still have not been provided. All but two of the 14 have had their charges stayed, withdrawn or have accepted peace bonds that limit their right to protest in campus buildings.

The remaining Fight Fees 2 will be presenting a motion to the Court on August 5th on the basis of violation of their Charter Rights under section 11(b), the right to be tried without reasonable delay. Two of the remaining accused, both of whom are major community advocates at U of T and former student governors, have refused to sign away their Charter Rights. Oriel Varga states,

I will not waive my own Charter Rights because of charges that clearly violate our basic and fundamental rights to freedom of expression and academic freedom. This matter should long ago have been thrown out by the Courts. The fact that over a year has passed without full disclosure and without a fair trial adds substantially to the growing list of Charter violations.

The community has overwhelmingly supported the Fight Fees 14. Students, organizations, unions, and over 115 professors thus far, have expressed their condemnation of the U of T regarding this blatant attempt to criminalize and silence dissent.

Joeita Gupta, Vice-President External of APUS and a student governor says,

Recently, U of T has pushed through Flat fees, which will mean those previously defined as part-time will witness a 66% fee increase. We need to stand up against fee hikes and the fundamental right to fight for access and justice on campus, and do so without the threat of police persecution.

The court date has finally been set for September 28-Oct 2, 2009. Supporters will come together on August 5th to stand in solidarity with the Fight Fees 2. Join us

and prove to UofT that criminalizing dissent will not silence opposition !

More information at http://fightfeescoalition.blogspot.com Contact: Joeita Gupta 416 918-1935

- 30 -

Fight Fees Coalition Meeting

2009-06-18T12:13:00.000-07:00

Letters of support keep rolling in from professors and unions with strong messages:

"The Code of Conduct should not be used as a tool of authority with
which to bludgeon student activists. This action also serves to
further diminish the core issues at stake on March 20, which were
protection against fee increases and opportunities for real engagement
with the University’s governance processes." - CUPE 3902

The growing support is fabulous and we need to continue our important
work. The University has been threatening other students with
investigations under the Code of Student Conduct and we cannot let
this happen. As two of the alleged participants are still facing
criminal charges and their court date is quickly approaching in early
fall we need to organize and raise awareness about UofT’s tactics of
criminalizing dissent on campus.

Please come to the next Fight Fees Coalition meeting for updates and
to discuss our next steps.

Date: Thursday July 16th
Time: 5:00 pm
Location: CUPE 3907 office: 252 Bloor Street West (OISE building), Room 8-104.

Sincerely,
Fight Fees Coalition

Flat Fees Rally, May 20th

2009-05-12T10:53:00.000-07:00

The Governing Council will meet at University of Toronto at Mississauga (UTM) on Wednesday May 20 at 4:30 p.m. to vote on the Flat Fees proposal which will increase tuition fees by 66%. Join us at UTM to get this undemocratic proposal shut down! Buses will be leaving from the St. George campus at 2 p.m. from 100 Devonshire Place (1 Block East of St.George Street & 1 Block South of Bloor). The Rally begins at 4 pm at UTM, South Building.

UofTspends millions on elitist projects and loads debt onto students

2009-05-11T12:05:00.000-07:00

RALLY: DEMAND ACCESS to EDUCATION

2009-04-16T10:55:00.000-07:00

RALLY APRIL 16thDEMANDING ACCESSIBLE EDUCATION & AN END TO THE CRIMINALIZATION OF DISSENT

As many students are struggling just to survive and afford their education, the University of Toronto and other universities across Ontario are plotting to raise tuition fees. The U of T Governing Council seeks to pass a motion at their next meeting on Thursday, April 16 for further increases of almost 5%. This fee hike will amount to close to $40 million in revenue coming directly from students’ pockets! In addition, last week the Faculty of Arts and Science voted for flat fees, which will force students taking 3 or more courses to pay as much as those taking a FULL COURSE LOAD. Education is a right and should be free and accessible to all.

The U of T administration has shown that their interests lie in turning a profit off the backs of students, while criminalizing those who take a stand against tuition increases. A year later, bogus charges are STILL being pursued against four community members for allegedly participating in a peaceful sit-in against fee increases on March 20, 2008. However, community support continues to grow. Over 100 professors have signed a letter calling to drop the charges and the student code of conduct investigations against the Fight Fees14, and thousands have signed the online petition.

The message is clear; students will not be deterred from exercising their Charter Rights and right to academic freedom. We will join together to take a collective stand against this systemic assault on equity and access on campus and gather outside the upcoming Governing Council meeting.

Join us in sending a message to President David Naylor to STOP CHARGING STUDENTS!

WHAT: Rally Demanding Accessible Education and an End to Charges

WHEN: Thursday, April 16 at 4 pm

WHERE: Simcoe Hall, 27 Kings College Circle, University of Toronto

BRING: Pots, pans and anything loud; banners; and all your friends

Press Release

2009-04-15T18:40:00.000-07:00

For Immediate Release: Toronto - Wednesday, April 15, 2009

RALLY DEMANDS ACCESSIBLE EDUCATION

And an end to the criminalization of dissent at the University of Toronto

Rally at UofT’s Governing Council Meeting:
Thursday, April 16th, 4:00 p.m.
Simcoe Hall, 27 Kings College Circle
Speakers, performances, free food

U of T’s Governing Council is proposing a further 4.5% tuition fee increase. This fee hike will amount to close to $40 million in revenue coming directly from students’ pockets. In addition, last week theFaculty of Arts and Science voted for ‘flat fees’, which will force students taking 3 or more courses to pay as much as those taking a FULL COURSE LOAD.

The community will gather Thursday, April 16 at 4 p.m. to protest these unprecedented fee hikes and also to support the remaining four out of 14 students/allies with charges from last year’s demonstration against rising fees at the University of Toronto. Over 100 professors have since signed a letter addressed to U of T President David Naylor in support of the Fight Fees 14 and against UofT’s attempts to penalize student dissent. These tactics are clearly meant to deter students from protesting against the University’s continual fee hikes. Toronto Police charged the 14 individuals a month after the peaceful sit-in on March 20, 2008 following UofT’s threats to investigate students under the Code of Student Conduct. The letter, signed by most of the 100 professors states:

"It is evident that the University of Toronto’s administration collaborated with Toronto Police in pressing charges against fourteen members of our university community. It is further evident that this move was taken to repress the expression of dissent at a time when the University administration is publicly and aggressively calling for the commercialization of student fees through deregulation."

A year later the case is unwinding as charges against most have been dropped; four others await trial in September after refusing to sign a peace bond that prevents them from exercising their Charter Rights to participate in peaceful protest on campus and attend Governing Council meetings. Joeita Gupta, VP External of the Association of Part-time Undergraduate Students (APUS) and incoming UofT Student Governor says,

"Students are saying ‘enough is enough’. Across the board U of T is cutting access programs and increasing tuition fees to unprecedented levels. Simultaneously they put millions towards elite sports and expanding business administration. This time they have crossed the line. We will stand together to speak up against these increases andagainst the criminalization of students who are leaders in advocating for the rights of students.

Join students and concerned community members on Thursday, April 16th, 4:00 p.m. to hear speakers and live performances.

Contact for media interviews: Joeita Gupta 416-918-1935 and Katie Wolk 647-830-5283

More information: fightfeescoalition.blogspot.com and www.fightfees.ca or email us fightfeescoalition@gmail.com

Over 100 Professors Signed Letter of Support

2009-04-03T14:54:00.000-07:00

Read the list of professors below

To the University of Toronto Community:

On March 20, 2008, a group of over forty students and their allies staged a nonviolent sit-in at the University of Toronto’s Simcoe Hall to protest rising student fees. Nearly one month later, eleven students, two staff members working at the University, and one alumnus were charged and arrested for alleged forcible confinement, mischief to property, and forcible detainment. The fourteen were released on strict bail conditions. Initially, all were prevented from participating in any demonstration on campus. This condition was challenged by the accused and was found to be unconstitutional. Current bail conditions prevent the accused from communicating with one another, and the University administration has banned some from setting foot on university property via trespass orders.

The University of Toronto’s administration has disingenuously distanced itself from the trumped-up criminal charges and the restrictive bail conditions, relegating them instead to the exclusive purview of the Toronto Police, while continuing to press forward with Code of Student Conduct investigations against those same students. The twist is that the University administration threatened the students in question with investigation long before the Toronto Police did.

It is evident that the University of Toronto’s administration collaborated with Toronto Police in pressing charges against fourteen members of our university community. It is further evident that this move was taken to repress the expression of dissent at a time when the University administration is publicly and aggressively calling for the commercialization of student fees through deregulation. This repression is all the more striking given that the University’s own purpose statement indicates that

Within the unique university context, the most crucial of all human rights are the rights of
freedom of speech, academic freedom, and freedom of research. And we affirm that these rights
are meaningless unless they entail the right to raise deeply disturbing questions and provocative
challenges to the cherished beliefs of society at large and of the university itself.

When the University of Toronto’s administration criminalizes the rights of students and activists to question and criticize University policies, their “rights of freedom of speech” are being violated. The University administration’s crackdown on the protests and on those allegedly involved therein directly contradicts its stated position on the fundamental rights of individuals to express dissent against those in power. The criminalization of activists is clearly an attempt at silencing the voices of dissidents and critics of the University administration’s policies on the commercialization of post-secondary education, and must be vehemently opposed.

We assert that this university exists as a space for critical dialogue only because of the participation of its students, workers, faculty members, alumni and other community members – and in particular we recognize those whose involvement goes unrecognized because they are not the ones with millions of dollars to donate. As faculty members at the University of Toronto, we express our dissent against the administration’s actions. The right to academic freedom is meaningless if the right to freedom of speech – and especially the right to speak truth to power – is being violated.

We call on the University of Toronto’s administration to immediately stop all proceedings against the students being investigated under the Code of Student Conduct and repeal the trespass orders. We further call on the University of Toronto’s administration to immediately express, clearly and unequivocally, that it has no interest in pursuing criminal charges in connection to this or any other peaceful protest.
________________________________________________________________________
CC: David Naylor, President of the University of Toronto
Chris Bentley, Attorney General of the Province of Ontario
George Luste, President of the University of Toronto Faculty Association
Penni Stewart, President of the Canadian Association of University Teachers

Professors Support the Fight Fees 14

2009-04-03T14:28:00.000-07:00

More than 100 professors at UofT and other post-secondary institutions have sent their support for the 14 students and allies who were criminally charged for allegedly participating in a peaceful sit-in at Simcoe Hall to protest increasing fees on March 20th 2008. Rather than addressing the issues of accessibility to education, the University of Toronto administration resorted to tactics of intimidation and repression including initiating criminal and Code of Student Conduct investigations.

The following professors have shown their support:

University of Toronto Professors 1. John K. Noyes, Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures 2. Andre Schmid, Department of East Asian Studies 3. Gavin Smith, Department of Anthropology 4. Todd Gordon, Canadian Studies Program 5. Bernd Baldus, Department of Sociology 6. Melanie Newton, Department of History 7. Paul Downes, Department of English 8. Indigo Esmonde, Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning, OISE/UT 9. Sherene Razack, Department of Sociology and Equity Studies in Education, OISE/UT 10. Rinaldo Walcott, Department of Sociology and Equity Studies in Education, OISE/UT 11. Paul Olson, Department of Sociology and Equity Studies in Education, OISE/UT 12. Darshan Ambalavanar, Visiting Fellow, Centre for South Asian Studies 13. Ken Kawashima, Department of East Asian Studies 14. Rick Guisso, Department of East Asian Studies 15. Jesook Song, Department of East Asian Studies 16. Kanishka Goonewardena, Department of Geography & Program in Planning 17. Helen Lenskyj (Emerita), Department of Sociology and Equity Studies in Education, OISE/UT 18. Deborah Cowen, Department of Geography & Program in Planning 19. Roxana Ng, Adult Education & Counselling Psychology, OISE/UT 20. Margrit Eichler, Department of Sociology and Equity Studies in Education, OISE/UT 21. Jamie Magnusson, Department of Theory and Policy Studies, OISE/UT 22. Susan Ruddick, Department of Geography & Program in Planning 23. Paul A. Hamel, Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology, Faculty of Medicine 24. John Valleau (Emeritus), Department of Chemistry 25. Kari Dehli, Department of Sociology and Equity Studies in Education, OISE/UT 26. Jens Hanssen, Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations 27. Scott Prudham, Department of Geography and Centre for Environment; Vice-President, Salaries and Benefits, University of Toronto Faculty Association (UTFA) 28. Philinda Masters, Centre for Women's Studies in Education, OISE/UT 29. Angela Miles, Adult Education & Counselling Psychology, OISE/UT 30. George Dei, Department of Sociology and Equity Studies in Education, OISE/UT 31. Sheryl Nestel, Department of Sociology and Equity Studies in Education, OISE/UT 32. Amir Hassanpour, Department of Near & Middle Eastern Civilizations 33. Meyer Brownstone (Emeritus), Department of Political Science 34. Anne-Emanuelle Birn, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Department of Social Sciences, Scarborough Campus 35. Richard Roman (Emeritus), Department of Sociology 36. Jay Macpherson (Emerita), Department of English 37. Ernie Lightman, Faculty of Social Work Other Universities and Colleges: 38. William K. Carroll, Department of Sociology, University of Victoria 39. Stefan Kipfer, Faculty of Environmental Studies, York University 40. Laam Hae, Department of Political Science, York University 41. Susan Ferguson, Journalism, Wilfrid Laurier University (Brantford Campus) 42. Salim Vally, Visiting Professor, School of Social Sciences, York University 43. David McNally, Department of Political Science, York University 44. Mary-Jo Nadeau, Deptartment of Sociology, Trent University 45. David P. Thomas, Department of Political Science, Mount Allison University 46. Abigail B. Bakan, Department of Political Studies, Queen's University 47. Rob Heynen, Department of Political Science & Division of Social Science, York University 48. Sylvat Aziz, Department of Art, Queen's University 49. Dina Georgis, Department of Women's Studies, Queen's University 50. Pat Saul, Faculty of Education, York University 51. Mike Davis, Department of Creative Writing, UC Riverside 52. Richard J. F. Day, Department of Sociology, Queen's University 53. Asha Varadharajan, Department of English, Queen's University 54. Samantha King, School of Kinesiology & Health Studies, Department of Women's Studies, Queen's University 55. David Camfield, Labour Studies Program, University of Manitoba 56. Ellie Kennedy, Department of German Language & Literature, Queen's University 57. Christopher Powell, Department of Sociology, University of Manitoba 58. Margaret Pappano, Department of English, Queen's University 59. Alan Sears, Department of Sociology, Ryerson University 60. Govind Rao, Department of Political Science, McMaster University 61. David Lethbridge, Psychology Department, Okanagan College 62. Bernie Koenig, General Studies Division, Fanshawe College 63. Stephanie Ross, Labour Studies Programme, York University 64. William Arnal, Department of Religious Studies, University of Regina 65. Linda Briskin, Division of Social Science/School of Women's Studies, York University 66. Darlene Juschka, Women's Studies and Religious Studies, University of Regina 67. Gerry Coulter, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Bishop's University 68. Rianne Mahon, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Carleton University 69. Peter Eglin, Department of Sociology, Wilfrid Laurier University 70. Ray Morris (Emeritus), Department of Sociology, Glendon College, York University 71. Joel Lexchin, School of Health Policy and Management, York University 72. Rebecca Coulter, Faculty of Education, University of Western Ontario 73. Lee Lorch (Emeritus), Department of Mathematics and Statistics, York University 74. Kendra Coulter, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Windsor 75. Jason M.C. Price, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Faculty of Education, University of Victoria 76. Ana Bazac, Social Philosophy and Political Sciences, Polytechnic University of Bucharest 77. Pablo Idahosa, Division of Social Science, African Studies, York University 78. Carrie Gillon, Department of Linguistics, Memorial University 79. Douglass St. Christian, Department of Anthropology, University of Western Ontario 80. Jessica Polzer, Department of Women's Studies & Feminist Research and Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Western Ontario 81. Paul Handford, Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario 82. Patricia Balcom, Département d'anglais, Université de Moncton 83. James Compton, Faculty of Information & Media Studies, University of Western Ontario 84. Kirsten Kozolanka, School of Journalism and Communication, Carleton University 85. Christopher F. J. Ross, Department of Religion and Culture, Wilfrid Laurier University 86. Samuel E. Trosow, Faculty of Law and Faculty of Information & Media Studies, University of Western Ontario 87. Jack Blocker, Department of History, Huron University College, University of Western Ontario 88. Melvin Zimmerman (Emeritus), Department of French Studies, York University 89. Saeed Rahnema, Department of Political Science, York University 90. Barbara Godard, Department of English, York University 91. Wendy McKeen, School of Social Work, York University 92. Rachel Heydon, Faculty of Education, University of Western Ontario 93. Stephen Pender, Department of English, Humanities Research Group, University of Windsor 94. John Simoulidis, Division of Social Science, York University 95. Susan Knabe, Women's Studies and Feminist Research, Faculty of Information and Media Studies, University of Western Ontario 96. Bettina Bradbury, School of Women's Studies, York University 97. Gary Kinsman, Department of Sociology, Laurentian University 98. Ester Reiter, Atkinson School of Social Sciences, York University 99. Wayne Lewchuk, Labour Studies Programme and Department of Economics, McMaster University 100. Bryan Evans, Department of Politics and Public Administration, Ryerson University 101. Derek Hrynyshyn, York University, McMaster University 102. Karen Murray, Department of Political Science, York University 103. Judith Adler Hellman, Division of Social Science, Department of Political Science, York University 104. Tony Weis, Department of Geography, University of Western Ontario 105. Matthew Rowlinson, Department of English and Centre for Theory and Criticism, University of Western Ontario 106. Cameron Owens, Department of Geography, Simon Fraser University 107. Greg Albo, Department of Political Science, York University 108. Lesley Wood, Department of Sociology, York University 109. Mark Thomas, Department of Sociology, York University 110. David Heap, French Studies, Graduate Program in Linguistics, University of Western Ontario 111. Andil Gosine, Department of Sociology, York University 112. Hira Singh, Department of Sociology, York University 113. John Huot (Emeritus), Humber Institute of Technology and Applied Learning 114. Himani Bannerji, Department of Sociology, York University 115. Kamala Kempadoo, Graduate Programme in Social and Political Thought, Division of Social Science, York University 116. Gamal Abdel-Shehid, School of Kinesiology and Health Science, York University 117. Christopher Shaw, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia 118. Janet Conway, Canada Research Chair in Social Justice, Brock University 119. David Noble, Department of History, York University

Preparation for April 16 Rally

2009-04-03T12:51:00.001-07:00

In preparation for the Thursday April 16, 2009 rally outside of Simco Hall, we would like to invite everybody to join us in making posters, flyers, banners, leaflets, T-shirts and other materials for the rally. We will also use this as an opportunity to meet and plan out the details of the event.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009 from 4:00-8:00 PM
APUS Programming Office; 100 Devonshire Place (Margaret Fletcher building, Ground Floor)

We look forward to seeing everyone out on Tuesday , even if you can only come out part of the time.