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Statement regarding Inclusivity


Dear Students of the Department of Communication Studies and Community Members,

The Department of Communication Studies is a multicultural community of people from diverse racial, ethnic, and class backgrounds, national origins, religious and political beliefs, sexual orientations and abilities. Campus activities, programs, classes, lectures and everyday interactions are enriched by our respect for and acceptance of one another as we strive to learn from each other in an atmosphere of positive engagement. As such, we are committed to the highest standards of civility and respect, even with those with whom we may disagree.

After the US election, we note an increase in reported acts of intimidation towards members of our communities in Montreal, Quebec and Canada and our friends and families in the United States. It has been reported that students and faculty have expressed feeling unsafe because of their ethnic, religious, racial, gender, sexual orientation and political views since the election. We want to assure our faculty and students that the Concordia Code of Rights and Responsibilities will be upheld and enforced to ensure teaching and learning is conducted in an environment promoting equality and mutual respect.

We ask that if you experience any instances of harassment or discrimination on campus that you report them to the Department Chair of Communication Studies, Dr. Sandra Gabriele (S.Gabriele@concordia.ca) or the Concordia Office of Rights and Responsibilities (rights@concordia.ca). Our department is the oldest and one of the most respected communication studies program in the country with a reputation for being among the first to speak out and speak to the role media plays in our everyday lives. We collectively acknowledge and condemn the increase of white supremacist, anti-semitic, misogynist, homophobic, ableist and xenophobic rhetoric circulating in public media since the US election.

The Department is committed to respecting freedom of expression and academic freedom. However, we will not tolerate acts of hate or intimidation towards any of our students, staff and faculty as we continue to build open dialogue and engaged academic discourse within and outside of the university. The Department will be organizing lunch-time talks in the new semester that will aim to initiate an ongoing dialogue about these issues and the role of communication media. More information will be shared as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

Sandra Gabriele, Chair & Associate Professor
Charles Acland, Professor
Ahmed Al-Rawi, Assistant Professor
Ken Briscoe, Part-Time Faculty
William Buxton, Professor
Owen Chapman, Associate Professor
Maurice Charland, Professor
Mia Consalvo, Professor, Canada Research Chair in Game Studies & Design
Chris Crilly, Part-Time Faculty
Tagny Duff, Associate Professor
Monika Gagnon, Professor
Erin Gee, Assistant Professor
Rick Hancox, Associate Professor
Yasmin Jiwani, Professor
Brian Lewis, Professor
Krista Lynes, Associate Professor, Canada Research Chair in Feminist Media Studies
Dayna McLeod, Assistant Professor
Fenwick McKelvey, Assistant Professor
Elizabeth Miller, Professor
Lorna Roth, Professor
Tim Schwab, Associate Professor
Matt Soar, Associate Professor
Jeremy Stolow, Associate Professor
Peter C. van Wyck, Professor




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