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Dear all members of Queen’s University,

The current outbreak of novel coronavirus is raising concerns across the globe. While it is understandable that in some circumstances people may respond with fear, it is always important, especially in a university, to make decisions based on information and facts. At Queen’s, we are monitoring the evolving situation very carefully and are being guided by experts in the field. At this time, the health risk to our community from coronavirus remains low. 

On behalf of Queen’s University, I wish to convey our deepest sympathies on the presumed loss of six Canadian Armed Forces members in the recent crash of the military Cyclone helicopter in the Ionian Sea.

On February 19, 2020, Queen’s University released Steve Boyd from his role as track and cross-country coach. Mr. Boyd held this volunteer position for 10 years. During his time with the University, Mr. Boyd worked with many student athletes and helped the track and cross-country programs achieve considerable success.

I have just been made aware that a number of flags hanging outside the Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre have been vandalized. Representing the Indigenous communities from which many Queen’s students come, and including the rainbow flag that celebrates LGBTQ+ members of our university family, these flags were hung last year in the wake of, and in a statement against, racism and homophobia in the Chown Hall residence.

Dear Queen’s students,

This is the time of year when the principal would normally send out a welcome letter. In many ways, this is just such a letter, but these are unusual times and we are doing things differently this year. We are pleased to see some students have arrived in Kingston. You are important, integral members of the Kingston community and it is nice to have you back.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly changed the way all of us go about our daily lives. Concerns about spreading the virus are real and each member of our community must take responsibility for reducing the threat of infection. At this time, it is imperative that Queen’s students clearly understand the university’s position regarding student behaviour that disregards public health directives.

Orange Shirt Day affords us an opportunity to reflect on and acknowledge what was stolen from Indigenous children in the residential schools: their culture, their community and feeling of connectedness, their joy in life, their innocence, and in so many cases, their future. We all have an obligation to take that opportunity as part of reconciliation, but educators have a particular responsibility because our job must be to foster and support young people in almost exactly the areas in which the residential schools sought to deprive them.

Dear Students,

This weekend Queen’s alumni will be celebrating Homecoming. Unlike past years, Homecoming will be celebrated remotely. There are no in-person events planned. Still, I hope you will share in the spirit of this quintessential Queen’s event by celebrating in a safe, socially distanced way.

Thirty-one years ago, 14 women lost their lives at the hands of unspeakable misogynistic violence – they were murdered because they were women. Another ten women were injured that day and as awful as that event was and remains in our memory, women are still experiencing gender-based violence in this country daily.

We remember and honour the women who died at École Polytechnique all those years ago and as we mourn the loss of their futures and potential, we also must remember the many others who have suffered violence because of their gender.

On behalf of the students, staff and faculty at Queen’s University, I offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the victims of Flight PS752 that were tragically taken one year ago. I remember when I heard of the plane crash, I was struck by the sheer horror and magnitude of the loss. As we learned more in the days that followed of the details of the crash and of the lives of the people on board the plane, our university community was gripped with a profound sadness, particularly when we found out that one of our own students, Amir Moradi, was among the victims.