UBC president says endowment fund doesn't directly own stocks targeted by protesters
The president of the University of British Columbia says its endowment fund doesn't directly own any stocks that are the target of divestment demands by pro-Palestinian protesters who have set up an encampment on the Vancouver campus.
Benoit-Antoine Bacon says the targeted companies are instead part of "pooled funds and managed by external investment managers," making up 0.28 per cent of the endowment fund UBC says is worth about $2.8 billion.
He says in a message posted online that the university would welcome a "respectful and robust discussion" with its students about the investments.
Bacon says the encampment that began at UBC's MacInnes Field on May 29 now involves about 100 people and 75 tents.
He says UBC values peaceful protest but anyone expressing views about the "violence unfolding in Israel and Palestine" needs to be "exceptionally careful" how they convey their thoughts.
The UBC protests are part of a movement that has roiled academic campuses in the United States and Canada, with some, including Ontario Premier Doug Ford, calling for the encampments to end.
Protesters say they want UBC to divest from Israeli companies they say are complicit in "oppression and genocide" of Palestinians. They also want an academic boycott of Israeli universities and other institutions.
Bacon says UBC is "actively monitoring the situation" at MacInnes Field and "prioritizing the safety of all our community members and visitors."
"It is absolutely essential that the university remains a place of reasoned debate where conflicting views can peacefully coexist. Our academic and social mission depends on it," he says in Tuesday's statement.
Bacon adds that the university's expectations of the protesters have been "made clear."
"I want to stress again that protest actions must be conducted with respect for others and within the boundaries of UBC policy and the law, and any action that contravenes this will be taken very seriously," he says.
The message tells staff managers they should print it out and display it in a work common area.
There are also encampments at other B.C. institutions including the University of Victoria and Vancouver Island University.
A statement from the University of Victoria on Tuesday says the school supports peaceful demonstrations and the right to freedom of expression.
"We encourage thoughtful, reasoned and academic discourse on current issues and maintain that these discussions must take place in an environment free from discrimination, harassment and hate speech of any kind," the statement says.
On Monday, B.C. Human Rights Commissioner Kasari Govender called on universities and colleges to protect the rights of students and staff taking part in "peaceful encampments," and said she was worried about people who "speak up in solidarity with Gaza" being penalized.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 7, 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Unruly passenger' forces WestJet flight to make emergency landing in B.C.
A WestJet flight heading to Calgary had to make an emergency landing in northern B.C. Monday due to an incident involving an 'unruly passenger,' Mounties say.
'It's his vacation too': Jimmy the baby goat joins 2-week road trip across Canada
After Jimmy the baby goat was shunned by his mother, a New Brunswick man took the kid on a two-week road trip across Canada.
The double-level airplane seat is back. This time, there’s a first-class version
It’s the airplane seat design that launched a thousand memes and kickstarted a media storm. And now the double-level seat is back – only this time, with a twist.
Former South Dakota mayor charged with triple homicide
Three people were shot to death in a small South Dakota town, and a former law officer who once served as the town's mayor is charged in the killings.
New COVID-19 subvariants become the dominant strains in Canada
More than four years after COVID-19 effectively shut down the world, two new variants of COVID-19 have become the dominant strains of the novel coronavirus in Canada.
Debunking the 'anti-sunscreen' movement: Doctors say TikTok trend is dangerous
Dermatologists are sounding the alarm about misinformation from the anti-sunscreen movement, saying not wearing sunscreen can cause cancer and other problems.
Ont. university says professor fired over 'unethical' sexual relationships with students
An associate professor at McMaster University has been fired after its board of governors found that he engaged in 'unethical, inappropriate and in some instances exploitative' sexual relationships with students.
Richard Dreyfuss' comments about women, LGBTQ2S+ people and diversity lead venue to apologize
The actor Richard Dreyfuss showed up in a dress at a 'Jaws'-themed event in Massachusetts, where the blockbuster 1975 movie he starred in was shot, and then proceeded to make demeaning remarks about women, LGBTQ2S+ people and diversity.
Poilievre Conservatives offer to help Trudeau Liberals pass foreign interference bill
Pierre Poilievre's Conservative Party is offering to help Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal government pass a piece of legislation aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada.