This message is intended to outline the various queries and demands that the Faculty Association directs at the administration in reaction to the horrific attack on a class on 28 June.

1. Emergency Communications

• UW has an emergency communications app that was never used throughout the incident. Why?
• Who made the decision that the app would be taken offline? Why?
• What plans are in place for alternative emergency communications when the app is unavailable?
• Why were conflicting instructions given to faculty, students, and staff?
• Who on campus is responsible for emergency communications?
• Was the app back up and running when the senior administration made the decision to continue classes normally, except in HH, during that evening?
• Who is the vendor for this app? How often is the app unavailable?

2. Extremist threats and violence

• How does the administrations currently track threats of extremist and hate-motivated violence on campus?
• How are extremist individuals and groups identified and what measures are in place to protect students, faculty, and staff from them?
• What are the immediate plans to protect instructors and students that might be especially targeted, for example, in courses in Gender and Social Justice, Black Studies, Indigenous Studies?
• What are the immediate plans to protect staff and offices that support these courses and areas of study and research?
• What are the medium and longer term plans to develop protections and to combat hate and extremism on campus?
• How will faculty members with relevant expertise be involved in developing these plans?
• How will students and staff be involved?

Continue reading “Message to the FAUW membership re: 28 June attack: Part II” →

FAUW is appalled at what appears to be an act of extremist violence in one of our classrooms last Wednesday afternoon.

Associate Professor of Philosophy, Associate Chair (Undergraduate Studies), and FAUW Parliamentarian, Dr. Katy Fulfer, was attacked in the middle of a class she was teaching. Two students were also attacked. We extend our deepest sympathy to all three and wish them a speedy recovery.

My purpose in writing to FAUW members this morning is to add FAUW’s voice to the outcry against this heinous attack and also to offer the Association’s support and sympathy to those affected, beginning with Katy herself, her students, and the rest of the campus community.

Anyone wishing to sign a card and convey a message of support to Katy is invited to come to the FAUW offices on Monday or Tuesday next week, 10:00 – 15:00 in MC 4002.

A message setting out a list of questions and demands that FAUW will bring to the senior administration will follow early next week.

Again, let me extend our deepest sympathies to the victims of last week’s hateful attack.

David Porreca
FAUW President