Notice to the Osgoode Community

Shelley A.M Gavigan
Associate Dean
February 21, 2001

On February 15 and on February 19, two anonymous communications that may be described as forms of racist hate mail were received by members of the Osgoode community. York Security and the Metropolitan Toronto Police have been contacted and I understand that their investigations are proceeding. Osgoode has been in close contact with the York Centre for Race and Ethnic Relations.

I have learned as well that recently items on the bulletin board of the Black Law Students Association have been defaced.

I ask anyone who may have received any such correspondence or anyone who has knowledge or information about any of these three incidents contact York Security (x33333) or my office (x55031). If the identity of the individual or individuals responsible for these mailings is ascertained, the appropriate proceedings will be initiated.

This conduct is unacceptable in any context. It is intolerable conduct at Osgoode Hall Law School. We are a large diverse community within the university, and it is essential that our commitment to equality, our respect for each other and for the richness of our diversity be the priorities of each of us.

The Equality Resolution of Osgoode Hall Law School provides:

Osgoode Hall Law School, its staff, students and faculty, subscribe to the public policy enunciated in the preamble to the Ontario Human Rights Code, and state expressly that they seek to do everything possible to enhance that policy within the Law School community. To this end the Law School affirms that every member of the community has a right to equal treatment without discrimination, and in particular, without regard to race, ancestry, place of origin,, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, political orientation, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, family status, or handicap.