Carleton University’s academic quad was closed over the summer in part to prevent a sit-in protest action, said university president Jerry Tomberlin.
Tomberlin’s comments in a Sept. 27 senate meeting contradict the university’s previous assertion that the quad was only closed for maintenance reasons.
“I’m not going to deny the fact that the fencing around the quad is not what we would have normally had,” Tomberlin said.
“It would have been naive of me … not to be aware of what was happening in other parts of the city and in campuses across North America.”
The fencing was put up on April 29, the same day the pro-Palestine encampment began at the University of Ottawa. At the time, Carleton told the Charlatan the barriers were erected for safety purposes ahead of planned construction projects.
“The decision to close the quad was a judgement call I made,” Tomberlin added. “I make no apologies for having taken that decision. The possibility of an encampment at our campus was a real one at that time.
“There was and there continues to be major ongoing repairs to the quad stairs, and it was consistent with that decision that we made to close the quad,” Tomberlin said.
An encampment in the quad would have been “dangerous” for community members and those involved in protest actions, Tomberlin said.
In the May statement, the university said it respects the right to peaceful protest and free expression.
“It’s very disappointing,” said Aviya Doikayt, vice-president of communications at Independent Jewish Voices Carleton.
“It feels like we cannot trust what our president says,” she added. “Now that the heat has come off the issue, they’re willing to openly admit they lied to their students.”
The Charlatan reached out to the university for additional comment but did not receive a response in time for publication.
Featured graphic by Sara Mizannojehdehi.
