It is with a heavy heart that I write this letter. As a former university student, a female, and a staff member of a Canadian post-secondary institution, I am sickened by the appalling decision from Dalhousie President Richard Florizone in regard to the recent misogyny on campus. The decision of the university not to expel fourth year dentistry students who created a "Gentlemen's Club" Facebook page to 'joke' about carrying out sexual violence on fellow female students is unacceptable.
In this circumstance, anything less than expulsion of these students demonstrates complacency in misogyny. Canadian educational institutions are meant to be a safe environment where all students can learn about the world in which we live and develop the skills to become productive contributors to our communities. This is not possible in an institutional culture where hateful and violent language directed at half of the student population - women - is tolerated.
The University of Northern British Columbia is near and dear to all Prince George residents and the Northern Region. As is the case with every post-secondary campus in Canada, UNBC is not immune from discrimination against women including cases of sexual violence.
We all have a role to play in making sure we put an end to this grotesque and unproductive cycle of misogyny. The buck stops at our educational institutions.
I encourage all those persons who do not want to continue to live in a society where acts of violence towards women are tolerated to make their voices heard.
Emily Harrison
Prince George
